Vanessa Vanderzee Oral History Interview, 2017

Partial Transcript: Today's date is May 2, 2017, and I am Natalia Fernandez. This is an oral history interview with Vanessa Vanderzee in Corvallis, Oregon for the OSU History 368: Lesbian and Gay Movements in the United States oral history project.

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes her time growing up in Illinois, her relationship with her parents and family, and activities she was involved in during school.

Subjects: Corvallis, OR; Illinois; childhood; dance; education; family; mentorship; musical theater; parents; teachers; work

Partial Transcript: Before moving onto college, a little bit more about growing up within your family and in your k-12 experiences, specifically regarding LGBTQ+ issues? Were those types of issues discussed in your family or school?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes her interaction with LGBTQ+ issues during her childhood, both in her family and school. She also talks about the process of learning about her identity as an asexual and queer person.

Keywords: LGBTQ+; coming out; education; family; gay straight alliance; gender; identity; sexuality

Subjects: coming out; education; family; gay straight alliance; gender; identity; sexual minorities; sexuality

Partial Transcript: Moving on to the transition between high school and college, you mentioned earlier that you were first generation. Can you talk a little bit about that experience of wanting to go to college?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes her years as an undergraduate student at a small, Catholic liberal arts college, especially focusing on religion, gender and sexuality, and her process of choosing a major.

Keywords: Catholicism; LGBTQ+; colleges and universities; education; first-generation college student; gay straight alliance; graphic design; religion

Subjects: Catholicism; colleges and universities; education; first-generation college student; religion; sexual minorities; work

Partial Transcript: So you mentioned the job as a graphic designer, were there other jobs that you had while in college?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes working during her years as an undergraduate, both the jobs she had and the process of balancing work, school, and life.

Keywords: business; graphic design; work; work-life balance

Subjects: business; work; work-life balance

Partial Transcript: So, before we leave talking about the college experience, in any of your classes were lGBTQ+ issues brought up? How so?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes her opportunities to discuss LGBTQ+ issues in her major as well as a study abroad experience that gave her an introduction to Women's and Gender Studies.

Keywords: LGBTQ+; identity; sociology; women's studies

Subjects: identity; sexual minorities; women's studies

Partial Transcript: So, then you mentioned post-college you needed a break. Can you talk a little bit about what you did after you graduated?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes how she spent her time following graduation. She also talks about becoming politicized through Tumblr and other social media.

Keywords: Tumblr; graduate school; social media; work

Subjects: social media; work

Partial Transcript: So, then with your new found passion, with the advice from your mentor, how did you end up choosing where to go to college? How did you end up choosing what you wanted to study for graduate school?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes the her process of choosing to come to OregonState University to study Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She goes into her first experiences with graduate work, classes, and teaching.

Keywords: LGBTQ+ issues; Oregon State University; Qwo-Li Driskill; Women and Gender Studies; education; graduate school; graduate teaching assistantship; teaching

Subjects: Oregon State University; Women and Gender Studies; education; graduate school; sexual minorities; teaching

Partial Transcript: So, you're coming up towards your graduation, correct? Spring term 2017. So, can you share a little about your thesis, your topic and how the writing process has gone?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes her thesis topic and research and how the process of completing her thesis has affected her understanding of her own identity.

Keywords: asexuality; graduate thesis; health care practitioners; identity; research; surveys; writing

Subjects: academic theses; asexuality; identity; research; surveys; writing

Partial Transcript: Moving on a little bit, still talking about your grad school experience, but in the context of comparing your experience in your undergrad and living in Illinois versus Corvallis. So, the differences and similarities between being a student here and there. The environment here in Corvallis and at OSU.

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee compares her graduate and undergraduate experiences, talking about the surrounding environment, the size of her schools, and other relevant differences.

Keywords: education; environment; graduate; undergraduate

Subjects: education; environment

Partial Transcript: So, then let's talk a little bit about your OSU queer archives experiences. What is your connection to OSQA?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes her experiences working for the Oregon State Queer Archives and offers recommendations for her successors.

Keywords: After 8 collection; OSQA

Partial Transcript: So, then speaking of future plans, what are your personal and professional future plans? So, you mentioned maybe wanting to stay in this area after you graduate. Do you have any plans professionally as well?

Segment Synopsis: Vanderzee describes her plans for the future, which are currently working and taking some time off of college before applying to doctoral programs in a few years.

Keywords: OSU; academia; work

Partial Transcript: At this point, is there anything that you'd like to share that we haven't discussed?

Segment Synopsis: The interviewer concludes the interview