Minerva Zayas Oral History Interview, March 5, 2019

Segment Synopsis: Name, Pronouns and brief family history.

Partial Transcript: Please tell us what your childhood was like.

Segment Synopsis: Minerva discusses what it was like to grow up as the oldest child and having to take on the responsibility of caring for her four younger brothers.

Keywords: Childhood; First-Generation; Memories; Parenting

Partial Transcript: Did being part of the LGBTQ+ community effect your relationships? Was there support in your high school?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva discusses how being raised Catholic made it so that she didn't realize she was queer until she was a young adult. Being surrounded by mostly Catholic people did not permit her to explore other aspects of her identity.

Keywords: Catholic; Exploration; Identity; Queer; Support

Partial Transcript: As an adult, were you able to become connected to this community?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva discusses how college allowed her to learn more about her queer identity. She also shares how her college experience was very different from where she taught life would take her when she was in high school.

Keywords: College; Education; Identity; Life Plans; Personal Growth; Queer

Partial Transcript: Have you found community in Corvallis?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva talks about the campus club she is a part of, what it is like as a graduate student in the Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, and off campus organizations that she volunteers with.

Keywords: Activism; Community; Graduate School; Queer; Women of Color

Partial Transcript: Does your identity influence the work you do and the masters program you selected? What are your work inspirations?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva discusses her thesis research, a new club at OSU that she is a part of, and how her desire to learn more about her own identity inspires her to want to help other LGBTQ+ people.

Keywords: Education; Identity; Inspiration; Research; Work

Segment Synopsis: Minerva discusses the current political climate surrounding Latinx folks and the migrant caravan of 2018.

Keywords: Discrimination; Latinx; Politics; Safety

Partial Transcript: How have you dealt with turmoil and difficulty in your life?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva shares her self care tips that give her inspiration in moments of turmoil or stress.

Keywords: Healing; Inspiration; Self-Care; Stress; Turmoil

Segment Synopsis: Minerva discusses the parts of the LGBTQ+ community that make her feel safe, accepted, and happy.

Keywords: Acceptance; Community; Happiness; LGBTQ+

Partial Transcript: What are some life lessons that you can share with us?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva talks about the ways she has grown to become gentle and supportive of herself.

Keywords: Acceptance; Compassion; Forgiveness; Life Lessons; Self-Love

Partial Transcript: What are ways that you think we can increase acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva gives advice to those outside the LGBTQ+ community on how they can be supportive.

Keywords: Advocate; Community; Listening; Understanding; Voting

Segment Synopsis: Minerva talks about some of her short term and long terms goals.

Keywords: Future Plans; Goals

Segment Synopsis: Minerva talks about the relationship she has with her mom, how it has evolved, and how it influenced who she is today.

Keywords: Family; Mother; Motivation; Relationships; Struggle

Segment Synopsis: Minerva shares how her family responded to her coming out to them about her sexuality.

Keywords: Coming Out; Family; Parents; Resistance; Support

Partial Transcript: What has inspired you to have an interest in becoming an therapist?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva discusses family dynamics, trauma, working at a facility for at risk youth, and compassion.

Keywords: Compassion; Family; Therapy; Trauma

Partial Transcript: Are there any events or obstacles that you experienced on the way to finding your identity?

Segment Synopsis: Minerva talks about her intersecting identities and the inner conflicts she has experienced when navigating them.

Keywords: Conflict; Culture; Identity; Intersectionality; Latinx; Queer; Religion; Traditions

Segment Synopsis: Minerva shares her values and morals that guide her life today. She also talks about challenging gender roles within her family.

Keywords: Gender Roles; Morals; Values