Our Collections
At the heart of our archive lies a treasure trove of over 15,000 items and 250 hours of recorded interviews, spanning two centuries of Kentucky's LGBTQ history. From individuals to events, and from institutions to activism, our collections reflect the rich diversity of Kentucky's LGBTQ community, serving as a vital resource for activists, scholars, artists, and museums alike.
The collections of the Faulkner Morgan Archive are unique in two ways.
We only collect material with a direct relationship to Kentucky's LGBTQ community and LGBTQ Kentuckians.
We have developed an oral-history-based methodology of collecting, wherein donors are recorded describing their collection and the stories their collection holds. In effect, artifacts become tied to the oral histories of their donors, creating a rich resource for activists, scholars, artists, and museums.
Our collections represent numerous individuals, events, and institutions from across Kentucky, and help emphasize Kentucky's important role within the broader national narrative of LGBTQ history.
Featured Collections
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Featured Collections *
All Collections
Kevin Bell
Kevin Bell, raised in Lexington, began his career as a hustler at the age of 12, after having been molested by a restaurant owner who afterwards gave him cash and drugs. By 14 he was working the Wall in Lexington, and was kept by several wealthy men who took him around the country. Kevin talks about Johnny Angels, Bill Sheehan, Mike McCormick, the Wall, downtown Lexington. He just turned 57, is still a drug user, and has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer. He is a long-term AIDS survivor. He currently lives on East Main Street at the Barclay East Apartments. After filming he mentioned he has a 24 year old son in Richmond, Kentucky. He identifies as trysexual, although his primary attraction is to women. He told me “if I like you, I’ll have sex with you.” He is a sweet man, asking constantly if he was “okay” and with a real desire to please and help.
Sydney and Bobbi Smith
This interview features Sydney and Bobbi Smith, lesbians who moved to Lexington, KY in 1977 and 1978. In the interview they talk about the Saxe-Powers scandal, women’s and lesbian movements in Lexington, including off-hand manor (where Jill Raymond lived) and other women’s collectives, early activism in the Gay Services Organization and the Lesbian and Gay Pac. They also talk about lesbian meeting places, discussion groups, and publications.
Sonny Stanley
In these two recordings, Sonny talks about his life growing up in rural Kentucky, his severe burns as a young child, being butch in high school, coming out as a lesbian, and then transitioning to male. It’s a compelling story, as he talks about the lesbian community’s treatment when he transitioned, and how the current Trump administration is making him more bold in coming out as trans.
Laura Kaplan
The material included here were gifted by Laura Kaplan, and consist primarily of photo of queer life in Lexington, Kentucky in the 1990s and assorted copies of the Central Kentuckty Pink Pages.
Bill Loggins
Material was gifted by Dr. William Loggins and Mr. Anthony Burgett and documents the Lexington Men’s Chorus, a gay choir group based in Lexington that operated from 1991 to 2003.
Interested in USING Our Collections?
Dive into Kentucky's rich LGBTQ history with access to over 15,000 items and 250 hours of oral history. Whether you're a researcher, artist, activist, or simply curious, our archives are open to all.