Dan Dowhower Oral History Interview

In this interview, Dan Dowhower talks about his experience being a gay man throughout his life, starting with his childhood. He speaks about coming out to his family after a conversation with his mother around the 1980s when the AIDS epidemic was in its prime and how that impacted his relationship with his relatives. He also shares his experiences as a young man while having a stable partner since the age of 19.

Dowhower then shares his journey towards adoption during a time where same-sex couples were not allowed to have the paperwork to be married. He explains how hard it was for him and his partner to adopt in Ohio. He observes that he and his partner were not interested in being married, and the only reason they did it was to adopt children because it was a life-long dream for Dowhower's partner. They faced rejection from the Christian community and other organizations and found love and acceptance in a place where they didn't expect it: the Jewish community.

Towards the end of the interview, Dowhower remarks on the differences he perceives in the Queer community now and then. He talks about the word Queer, its meaning and impact on folks of other generations. He discusses changes in how the community is perceived and an increased level of acceptance.