Oregon State University Libraries and Press

Mina Carson Oral History Interview, March 15, 2019

Oregon State University
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00:00:00 - Introduction

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Partial Transcript: Can you please give us your name and give a brief history of your childhood?

Segment Synopsis: Mina introduces herself and talks about her childhood in Maine.

00:02:29 - Childhood

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Partial Transcript: Please tell us what life what like inside your childhood home and what it was like growing up in a small town in Maine? What was your family and community's attitudes about homosexuality?

Segment Synopsis: Mina discusses her upper class life that provided her and her siblings the opportunities to participate in multiple activities as children. There was tension between her parents which ultimately lead to a divorce once all three children left to college. The town she lived in hardly had any tourists and was a little more liberal since it is a college town. Mina states that she was brought up socially conservative but on the cusp of feminism. Her family was not accepting of homosexuality and her mother would panic is Mina became too close with any female friends.

Keywords: Childhood; Feminism; Homosexuality; Intolerance; Socially Conservative; Socioeconomic Class

00:16:35 - Coming out

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Partial Transcript: When did you decide to be out with your sexuality?

Segment Synopsis: Mina discusses hiding her sexuality until her early 30's. She states that she tried to have relationships with men but after witnessing two people close to her come out, she worked through the painful process of coming out herself at her first job after grad school in Missouri.

Keywords: Alone; Coming out; Pain; Queerness

00:27:01 - Corvallis, Oregon

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Partial Transcript: What was the LGBTQ+ community like when you arrived in Corvallis? How has it changed?

Segment Synopsis: Mina discusses how Corvallis was her first location where she was able to build connections to the queer community and her church has given her lots of support. While there is still work to be done for the queer community in Corvallis, she feels like the world overall has evolved to be more accepting of multiple identities.

Keywords: Acceptance; Coming out; Community; Queer; Religion

00:49:38 - Politics

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Partial Transcript: How has the current presidential administration affected you?

Segment Synopsis: Mina shares her concerns for the LGBTQ+ community, climate change, people of color, and women.

Keywords: Climate change; Policy; Women's rights

00:54:18 - Personal Life

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Partial Transcript: What are major personal life events that have shaped you into the person you are today?
How have you dealt with negativity in your life? Coping mechanisms?

Segment Synopsis: Mina talks about the experiences of adopting her two children and the positive effect that has had on her life.
For coping mechanisms she has many but music is something that started in childhood and has sustained her. Now photography, a skill she taught herself, allows her to feel present in special moments.

Keywords: Children; Coping; Family; Music; Parenthood

01:13:56 - Closing comments

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Partial Transcript: Anything else you would like to add?

Segment Synopsis: Mina shares her value of honesty and how being so cautious throughout her life has not always allowed her to live honestly.

Keywords: Bold; Caution; Honesty; Intellectual