Robyn Leigh Tanguay Oral History Interview

Interviewee: Robyn Leigh Tanguay
Interviewer: Alvin Jaury, Hannah Preiser, and Angelo Ursini
Interview Date: February 28, 2020
Location: Oregon State University
Duration: 0:22:21
 

In this interview, Robyn Leigh Tanguay focuses on her ideas and advice about coming out as a trans person, as well as some of her experiences within her professional career, future research, and influences in her life. Tanguay states that her thoughts on gender identity began when she was very young, pinpointing the age of five, but she didn’t know exactly what to make of it. She further explains that the relationship she had with the LGBT community and LGBT issues of the time were limited to hearing negative rhetoric. Growing up in a Catholic environment, she had limited access to information about gender identity. This changed when Tanguay moved to California, and in high school, where she was able to gain better access to information and live in a more progressive environment. She observes later in the interview that one of the most shocking moments after her move from the Midwest to the West Coast was the first-time running track and seeing someone who wasn’t white running alongside her.

The topic then changes to the initial moments of coming out. Tanguay states that her perception of her professional career and personal life were mutually exclusive, believing that she couldn’t have one without the other. When asked about her advice for other people questioning their gender identity and going through coming out, she states that this experience varies with the community with which you surround yourself. She says that coming out is scary and the process never stops. Finding people that listen and provide their perspective is a first step. Additionally, she says that one of the most important parts is realizing that gender identity and coming out are not the only aspects of life; it’s the decisions you make that make you who you are. She states that coming out is an experience that is never finished.

Dublin Core

Title

Robyn Leigh Tanguay Oral History Interview

Description

In this interview, Robyn Leigh Tanguay focuses on her ideas and advice about coming out as a trans person, as well as some of her experiences within her professional career, future research, and influences in her life. Tanguay states that her thoughts on gender identity began when she was very young, pinpointing the age of five, but she didn’t know exactly what to make of it. She further explains that the relationship she had with the LGBT community and LGBT issues of the time were limited to hearing negative rhetoric. Growing up in a Catholic environment, she had limited access to information about gender identity. This changed when Tanguay moved to California, and in high school, where she was able to gain better access to information and live in a more progressive environment. She observes later in the interview that one of the most shocking moments after her move from the Midwest to the West Coast was the first-time running track and seeing someone who wasn’t white running alongside her.

The topic then changes to the initial moments of coming out. Tanguay states that her perception of her professional career and personal life were mutually exclusive, believing that she couldn’t have one without the other. When asked about her advice for other people questioning their gender identity and going through coming out, she states that this experience varies with the community with which you surround yourself. She says that coming out is scary and the process never stops. Finding people that listen and provide their perspective is a first step. Additionally, she says that one of the most important parts is realizing that gender identity and coming out are not the only aspects of life; it’s the decisions you make that make you who you are. She states that coming out is an experience that is never finished.

Creator

Robyn Leigh Tanguay

Source

OSU Queer Archives Oral History Collection (OH 034)

Publisher

Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries

Date

February 28, 2020

Contributor

Alvin Jaury, Hannah Preiser, and Angelo Ursini

Format

Born Digital Video

Language

English

Type

Oral History

Identifier

oh34-tanguay-robyn-20200228

Oral History Item Type Metadata

Interviewer

Alvin Jaury, Hannah Preiser, and Angelo Ursini

Interviewee

Robyn Leigh Tanguay

Location

Oregon State University

Original Format

Born Digital Video

Duration

0:22:21

OHMS Object

Interview Format

video