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Description

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On March 8, 2022, Jones interviewed EMU alum, former Tri-Pride co-chair, and outspoken supporter of the ordinance, Donna Regan-Southwick. Before she made her way to Eastern, Southwick was a mother and activist working with Noel Keane in the early days of surrogacy. She enrolled at EMU as a non-traditional student, earning both her bachelors and masters degrees here. During her time in the MSW program, Southwick joined her classmates in the formation of Tri-Pride, where she acted as co-chair. After the group was denied service, she became an outspoken proponent of the ordinance and helped further bridge the gap between student and community campaign perspectives. Southwick had to balance activism and academics, all while raising a son, who witnessed the fight alongside her. In this interview, she sheds light on finding that balance, understanding grief, and finding the strength to stand up for what's right.

This interview includes discussion of sensitive subjects that may be triggering for listeners, such as abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism, and depression.

Interview Date

3-8-2022

Keywords

Eastern Michigan University Archives, EMU Oral History Program, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti history, LGBTQ history, LGBTQ, nondiscrimination ordinance, community organizations, discrimination, Ann Arbor, local government, community activism, LGBTQ activism, LGBTQ allies, Tri-Pride, surrogacy, Noel Keane, social work, psychology, grad students, HIV-AIDS, ACLU, LGBTQ students, Kathleen Russell

Permission to Use

Permission to quote from this oral history should be requested from the University Archives (lib_archives@emich.edu).

Streaming Media

Donna Regan-Southwick, Oral History Interview, 2022

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