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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterScope and Contents Interview of Samuel Turner Arrington at the LGBT Center in New York City the day the Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and Prop 8 were made public. Turner grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, graduated from William & Mary in 2000, and lived in Norfolk until moving to New York for medical school earlier this summer. Turner, who married his partner several years ago, had largely positive experiences as an openly gay man at William & Mary and in Virginia since. His education in W&M English and Women's Studies courses as well as casual debates outside of class helped him embrace his identity. He has happily witnessed social change in Virginia and the country as a whole, and discusses the important role he believes the internet has played in propagating change.
In loving memory of Gary Lyle, December 24, 1933 - November 7, 2011.
I interviewed Chris Beacham on a quiet day in Swem Library less than a week after commencement, in which Chris participated as a member of the 2013 graduating class. Chris and I discussed his many, largely positive experiences as a genderqueer member of William and Mary's LGBTQ community. Chris explained the beginnings of his queer identity in high school and his further personal and intellectual growth at W&M as a student, editor of Lips, and member of the queer social community on campus. Chris' responses to my questions were thoughtful and candid, and should be of great interest to those looking to know more about the queer community and queer activism at William and Mary in the twenty-first century. -David Pratt, May 20, 2013
The content of this section was taken from the headnote created by the interview team.
I interviewed Greg Bowers in Swem Library's Burger Conference Room on a summer afternoon. Dr. Bowers has been teaching theory and composition in the Music department since 2008, when he and his partner moved to Williamsburg from Portland, Oregon. Bowers shared with me the experiences, opinions, hopes and frustrations of a younger gay faculty member at a Southern state university. While noting slow change, Bowers is concerned about William & Mary as an environment for LGBT individuals, and hopes to act as a force for positive change on campus and in the community. -David Pratt, June 13, 2013
The content of this section was taken from a headnote created by the interview team.
I interviewed Vance Briceland at the LGBT Center in New York City the day after the Supreme Court made public its decisions regarding the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8. Vance grew up in a socially progressive Richmond household and, at William and Mary between 1981 and 1985, was surprised to find an environment far more conservative and hostile than the one his parents fostered for him during his youth. Now an accomplished writer, Briceland related to me several moving stories of hard times he experienced and witnessed at William & Mary. All have to do with the unwillingness of gay and straight students, faculty and administrators to acknowledge homosexuality as anything other than a flaw or, at best, obstacle to be acknowledged and overcome. -David Pratt, July 11, 2013
The content of this section was taken from the headnote created by the interview team.
Wayne N. Curtis graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1982 with a BA in History. He joined William and Mary GALA in 1987, served as a board member in the 1990s, and has served as president from 2003 to the present (2008). This interview was conducted as part of the William and Mary GALA Stephens Oral History Project.
This interview of Drew Emery was conducted October 24th, 2009 as part of the William and Mary GALA Stephens Oral History Project by Amy Schindler and Troy Davis. Emery graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1986 with a BA in Theatre and received his Master's degree from the University of Virginia. The interview focuses mostly on Emery's time at William and Mary and his film "Inlaws & Outlaws," released in 2005. In a separate session, Andrew Emery discusses his film and answers questions after a screening of the movie at the College of William and Mary on October 23rd, 2009. The event was sponsored by William & Mary GALA. The Q&A session focuses on the film in general, but also includes discussion of contemporary politics.
Lawrence (Larry) Griffith graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1981 with a BA in English. He was president of Lambda Alliance when a student (1979) and a board member of William and Mary GALA (Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association). These two interviews were conducted as part of the William and Mary GALA Stephens Oral History Project.
interviewed Carlton Hardy on a Saturday morning in Swem Library's Burger Conference Room. Mr. Hardy grew up in Williamsburg, attended William & Mary from 1962 to 1967, earning a Bachelor's in History and Master's in Counseling, and has lived in Virginia ever since. In 2012, Equality Virginia honored Carlton's long-time dedication to LGBT volunteer and civic work with the Legend Award. In our interview, Carlton and I discussed his life from his childhood in 1950s Williamsburg through his years at the College, his sexual coming-out in the 1980s, and finally his present involvement in the LGBT social and political community in Hampton Roads. After concluding the interview, I began recording again, at Carlton's request, to record our discussion of the unique concerns of middle-aged LGBT folks facing retirement and old age. -David Pratt, February 14, 2014
The content of this section was taken from the headnote created by the interview team.
This interview of Kevin Kosanovich was conducted as part of the Stephens Project by David Pratt. Kevin Kosanovich has been involved in the Stephens Project as a graduate assistant and oral history interviewer.
I interviewed Julian Long over the phone on a Tuesday evening. Julian, who enrolled at William & Mary in 2000 as Julie Carr, graduated in 2004 with a BA in English and Women's Studies, and again in 2007 with a JD from the law school. We discussed Julian's life before college and his decision to attend William & Mary, as well as his self-realization first as a bisexual woman and later as a transsexual man. Julian spoke about his involvement in campus LGBTQ groups, and related his experiences of support from students and faculty as well as some experiences of discrimination and hate. We discussed his life and career since leaving Williamsburg, and the impact his experiences at William and Mary have had on both. -David Pratt, June 5, 2013
This content was taken from the headnote created by the interview team.
Interview with Eric Peterson at the LGBT Center in New York City only about two hours after the Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and Prop 8 were made public. Through most of the recording of the interview, the listener can hear the cheers of those celebrating at the press conference across the hall from our conference room. The interview with Eric undoubtedly reflects the mood of the day, especially as Eric's recollections of his experiences as a closeted gay man at William & Mary in the 1980s contrast with the openness heralded by the Supreme Court's decisions and Eric's life as a happy, openly gay man today.
Peyton Pond graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1982 with a BA in English. This interview was conducted as part of the William and Mary GALA Stephens Oral History Project. Some restrictions apply to this interview through October 25, 2013.
Joseph Price graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1993 with a BA in Public Policy. He was president of William and Mary GALA (Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association). This interview was conducted as part of the William and Mary GALA Stephens Oral History Project.
Interview with Jesse Rude at the LGBT Center in New York City the day after the Supreme Court made public its decisions regarding the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8. Amid continuing positive feelings from the previous day's civil rights successes, Jesse related the changes he has experienced since growing up in rural Virginia without gay role models. We discussed the gradual acceptance of his identity during his first two years at William & Mary, the people who helped him along the way, and the positive growth in his life and in American culture since he first came to William & Mary in 1993.
Interview with Helis Sikk, a fellow PhD student in the American Studies program, at Swem Library during Homecoming weekend. We discussed Helis' academic and social background as a college student in her home country of Estonia and later in the American Studies graduate program at the University of Wyoming. As we talked about LGBT tolerance and queer social life in Tartu, Laramie, and Williamsburg, Helis elaborated upon some broader ideas about identity politics and the meaning of the word "queer."
I interviewed Dr. Frederic Tate in Swem Library's Burger Conference Room on a summer afternoon. Dr. Tate has lived in Williamsburg for 27 years, working during that time as a psychologist at Eastern State Hospital and, during the late '80s and '90s, an adjunct faculty member of the Psychology department. While with the Psychology department, Dr. Tate consulted with the Counseling Center on gay and lesbian issues and gave talks to various campus constituencies on safer sex and AIDS prevention. During our interview, Dr. Tate described his experience growing up in Appalachian Virginia, his largely positive memories of William & Mary as an LGBT environment in the '80s and '90s, and his hopes and doubts for Virginia's future in terms of LGBT issues. Dr. Tate's recollections of giving safe sex talks in the basement of St. Bede's Catholic Church, helping to establish and run what may have been the first hospice for adults with AIDS on the east coast, and hearing Governor Warner speak at an LGBT event, among other anecdotes, add specific and often fascinating detail to our understanding of LGBT life in Virginia and at William & Mary in the '80s and '90s. -David Pratt, July 8, 2013
The content of this section was taken from the headnote created by the interview team.
Julian Allison ('23) is a Government and History double major at William & Mary from Mamaroneck, New York. He is involved in the Phi Sigma Pi honors fraternity, and currently serves on the executive board as Chapter Historian, In 2021-22, he was also the marketing lead for the Students Rights Initiative and currently serves on the Committee for Contextualizing Campus Landmarks and Iconography at William & Mary.
Julian Allison, a senior at William & Mary when this interview was conducted, reflects on his experience with various communities at the university and in Williamsburg. He discusses his experiences living both on and off campus and students' relationship with the Williamsburg community. He also describes classes about queer issues and the opportunity to conduct research and have discussions with other students, including his senior seminar about the AIDS crisis. Julian also describes current events within the US legal system and LGBTQ+ issues, as well as his future plans to go to law school. He also discusses queer campus groups and a desire for a physical queer space on campus.
Completely restrict access to "uncut" version for ten years, access to "cut" version unrestricted.
Julian Allison ('23) is a Government and History double major at William & Mary from Mamaroneck, New York. He is involved in the Phi Sigma Pi honors fraternity, and currently serves on the executive board as Chapter Historian, In 2021-22, he was also the marketing lead for the Students Rights Initiative and currently serves on the Committee for Contextualizing Campus Landmarks and Iconography at William & Mary.
Julian Allison, a senior at William & Mary when this interview was conducted, reflects on his experience with various communities at the university and in Williamsburg. He discusses his experiences living both on and off campus and students' relationship with the Williamsburg community. He also describes classes about queer issues and the opportunity to conduct research and have discussions with other students, including his senior seminar about the AIDS crisis. Julian also describes current events within the US legal system and LGBTQ+ issues, as well as his future plans to go to law school. He also discusses queer campus groups and a desire for a physical queer space on campus.
Completely restrict access to "uncut" version for ten years, access to "cut" version unrestricted.
Julian Allison ('23) is a Government and History double major at William & Mary from Mamaroneck, New York. He is involved in the Phi Sigma Pi honors fraternity, and currently serves on the executive board as Chapter Historian, In 2021-22, he was also the marketing lead for the Students Rights Initiative and currently serves on the Committee for Contextualizing Campus Landmarks and Iconography at William & Mary.
Julian Allison, a senior at William & Mary when this interview was conducted, reflects on his experience with various communities at the university and in Williamsburg. He discusses his experiences living both on and off campus and students' relationship with the Williamsburg community. He also describes classes about queer issues and the opportunity to conduct research and have discussions with other students, including his senior seminar about the AIDS crisis. Julian also describes current events within the US legal system and LGBTQ+ issues, as well as his future plans to go to law school. He also discusses queer campus groups and a desire for a physical queer space on campus.
Noelia Azim is a Hispanic Studies major in the class of 2022. She is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia. While at William & Mary, she was involved in Lambda Alliance as a freshman and sophomore, and is involved in the Filipino American Student Association as a senior. Noelia Azim discusses her experience finding queer friends across campus, including her freshman hall, joining lambda her freshman year, and memories of queer nights at Triangle. She also describes queer and trans POC cooking nights she attended, as well as a lack of diversity within the larger William & Mary queer community. Noelia discusses her Hispanic Studies major and the lack of discussions about queer topics within that department. After joining the Filipino American Student Association during her senior year, she discusses her interactions with queer people in that space and how the community has changed since her freshman year.
Noelia Azim is a Hispanic Studies major in the class of 2022. She is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia. While at William & Mary, she was involved in Lambda Alliance as a freshman and sophomore, and is involved in the Filipino American Student Association as a senior. Noelia Azim discusses her experience finding queer friends across campus, including her freshman hall, joining lambda her freshman year, and memories of queer nights at Triangle. She also describes queer and trans POC cooking nights she attended, as well as a lack of diversity within the larger William & Mary queer community. Noelia discusses her Hispanic Studies major and the lack of discussions about queer topics within that department. After joining the Filipino American Student Association during her senior year, she discusses her interactions with queer people in that space and how the community has changed since her freshman year.
Noelia Azim is a Hispanic Studies major in the class of 2022. She is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia. While at William & Mary, she was involved in Lambda Alliance as a freshman and sophomore, and is involved in the Filipino American Student Association as a senior. Noelia Azim discusses her experience finding queer friends across campus, including her freshman hall, joining lambda her freshman year, and memories of queer nights at Triangle. She also describes queer and trans POC cooking nights she attended, as well as a lack of diversity within the larger William & Mary queer community. Noelia discusses her Hispanic Studies major and the lack of discussions about queer topics within that department. After joining the Filipino American Student Association during her senior year, she discusses her interactions with queer people in that space and how the community has changed since her freshman year.
Kaitlyn Clark is a 4th year PhD Student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the graduate school for Marine Science at William & Mary. She is originally from California, and received her undergraduate degree from the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine ('19). At VIMS, Kaitlyn is studying fishery science, and her research focuses on reproductive and feeding ecology in Atlantic sea scallops. She is also a co-coordinator of Queer Grads, a social group for queer graduate students at VIMS.
Kaitlyn Clark describes her experience living and working in Gloucester Point, which is where VIMS is located. She also discusses the Queer Grads group at VIMS, including the process of further developing that organization and moving it under the Graduate Student Association. She also discusses professional mentoring programs and associations, including oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Kaitlyn describes her experiences on commercial scallop boats as part of her research at VIMS and how being queer has influenced her interactions with fishermen.
Kaitlyn Clark is a 4th year PhD Student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the graduate school for Marine Science at William & Mary. She is originally from California, and received her undergraduate degree from the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine ('19). At VIMS, Kaitlyn is studying fishery science, and her research focuses on reproductive and feeding ecology in Atlantic sea scallops. She is also a co-coordinator of Queer Grads, a social group for queer graduate students at VIMS.
Kaitlyn Clark describes her experience living and working in Gloucester Point, which is where VIMS is located. She also discusses the Queer Grads group at VIMS, including the process of further developing that organization and moving it under the Graduate Student Association. She also discusses professional mentoring programs and associations, including oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Kaitlyn describes her experiences on commercial scallop boats as part of her research at VIMS and how being queer has influenced her interactions with fishermen.
Kaitlyn Clark is a 4th year PhD Student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the graduate school for Marine Science at William & Mary. She is originally from California, and received her undergraduate degree from the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine ('19). At VIMS, Kaitlyn is studying fishery science, and her research focuses on reproductive and feeding ecology in Atlantic sea scallops. She is also a co-coordinator of Queer Grads, a social group for queer graduate students at VIMS.
Kaitlyn Clark describes her experience living and working in Gloucester Point, which is where VIMS is located. She also discusses the Queer Grads group at VIMS, including the process of further developing that organization and moving it under the Graduate Student Association. She also discusses professional mentoring programs and associations, including oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Kaitlyn describes her experiences on commercial scallop boats as part of her research at VIMS and how being queer has influenced her interactions with fishermen.
Maxwell Cloe received a BA in American Studies and English from William & Mary in 2020, an MA in American Studies in 2021, and is currently a Program Coordinator for the Sharpe Community Scholars Program. They are from Mechanicsville, VA and currently live in Richmond, VA. While at William & Mary, Maxwell completed research on queer archives and art in the Appalachian Mountains, and continues to maintain a queer digital archive, "Wildcrafting our Queerness."
Maxwell Cloe describes their academic experiences at William & Mary related to queerness, including GSWS classes and their undergraduate and graduate research about queer art, culture, and life in the Appalachian Mountains. They also discuss the Triangle bar, which hosted queer nights until it closed in 2019. After this, it was difficult for queer people to find a dedicated space to socialize, and Maxwell describes efforts by queer organizations like Lambda Alliance and Rainbow Coalition to host events. As a current staff member, Maxwell discusses the opportunity they have to serve as a mentor for students as well.
Maxwell Cloe received a BA in American Studies and English from William & Mary in 2020, an MA in American Studies in 2021, and is currently a Program Coordinator for the Sharpe Community Scholars Program. They are from Mechanicsville, VA and currently live in Richmond, VA. While at William & Mary, Maxwell completed research on queer archives and art in the Appalachian Mountains, and continues to maintain a queer digital archive, "Wildcrafting our Queerness."
Maxwell Cloe describes their academic experiences at William & Mary related to queerness, including GSWS classes and their undergraduate and graduate research about queer art, culture, and life in the Appalachian Mountains. They also discuss the Triangle bar, which hosted queer nights until it closed in 2019. After this, it was difficult for queer people to find a dedicated space to socialize, and Maxwell describes efforts by queer organizations like Lambda Alliance and Rainbow Coalition to host events. As a current staff member, Maxwell discusses the opportunity they have to serve as a mentor for students as well.
Maxwell Cloe received a BA in American Studies and English from William & Mary in 2020, an MA in American Studies in 2021, and is currently a Program Coordinator for the Sharpe Community Scholars Program. They are from Mechanicsville, VA and currently live in Richmond, VA. While at William & Mary, Maxwell completed research on queer archives and art in the Appalachian Mountains, and continues to maintain a queer digital archive, "Wildcrafting our Queerness."
Maxwell Cloe describes their academic experiences at William & Mary related to queerness, including GSWS classes and their undergraduate and graduate research about queer art, culture, and life in the Appalachian Mountains. They also discuss the Triangle bar, which hosted queer nights until it closed in 2019. After this, it was difficult for queer people to find a dedicated space to socialize, and Maxwell describes efforts by queer organizations like Lambda Alliance and Rainbow Coalition to host events. As a current staff member, Maxwell discusses the opportunity they have to serve as a mentor for students as well.
Preetha Gopinath is a physics major in the class of 2024 from near Princeton, New Jersey. At William & Mary, Preetha is involved in the South Asian Student Association and the Phi Mu Sorority, and she works at Aromas in Swem Library and the Tutor Zone. Preetha Gopinath describes their experiences with several student organizations at William & Mary. This includes the South Asian Student Association and the group's Expressions yearly showcase, along with experiences in Greek Life as a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Preetha also spent his first semester online due to COVID, and she discusses efforts to meet new people once arriving to campus.
Preetha Gopinath is a physics major in the class of 2024 from near Princeton, New Jersey. At William & Mary, Preetha is involved in the South Asian Student Association and the Phi Mu Sorority, and she works at Aromas in Swem Library and the Tutor Zone. Preetha Gopinath describes their experiences with several student organizations at William & Mary. This includes the South Asian Student Association and the group's Expressions yearly showcase, along with experiences in Greek Life as a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Preetha also spent his first semester online due to COVID, and she discusses efforts to meet new people once arriving to campus.
Preetha Gopinath is a physics major in the class of 2024 from near Princeton, New Jersey. At William & Mary, Preetha is involved in the South Asian Student Association and the Phi Mu Sorority, and she works at Aromas in Swem Library and the Tutor Zone. Preetha Gopinath describes their experiences with several student organizations at William & Mary. This includes the South Asian Student Association and the group's Expressions yearly showcase, along with experiences in Greek Life as a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Preetha also spent his first semester online due to COVID, and she discusses efforts to meet new people once arriving to campus.
Aubrey Lay is a Government and Linguistics major in the Class of 2023. He grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. At William & Mary, he is a co-captain of the bhangra team, a co-president of Rainbow Coalition, a 1693 scholar, and is involved in research with Discourse Analysis at William & Mary and the Exodus Project.
Aubrey Lay discusses his involvement as a co-president of Rainbow Coalition, including events for intersex awareness week, queer sex ed, and the Over the Rainbow Gala. With Rainbow Coalition, he has collaborated with Lambda Alliance and the Center for Student Diversity. He also discusses the Exodus Project, which is investigating the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine and its effect on LGBTQI people. Aubrey describes the ability for William & Mary students to build queer-affirming communities in various spaces, including his experience on the Bhangra team.
Aubrey Lay is a Government and Linguistics major in the Class of 2023. He grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. At William & Mary, he is a co-captain of the bhangra team, a co-president of Rainbow Coalition, a 1693 scholar, and is involved in research with Discourse Analysis at William & Mary and the Exodus Project.
Aubrey Lay discusses his involvement as a co-president of Rainbow Coalition, including events for intersex awareness week, queer sex ed, and the Over the Rainbow Gala. With Rainbow Coalition, he has collaborated with Lambda Alliance and the Center for Student Diversity. He also discusses the Exodus Project, which is investigating the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine and its effect on LGBTQI people. Aubrey describes the ability for William & Mary students to build queer-affirming communities in various spaces, including his experience on the Bhangra team.
Aubrey Lay is a Government and Linguistics major in the Class of 2023. He grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. At William & Mary, he is a co-captain of the bhangra team, a co-president of Rainbow Coalition, a 1693 scholar, and is involved in research with Discourse Analysis at William & Mary and the Exodus Project.
Aubrey Lay discusses his involvement as a co-president of Rainbow Coalition, including events for intersex awareness week, queer sex ed, and the Over the Rainbow Gala. With Rainbow Coalition, he has collaborated with Lambda Alliance and the Center for Student Diversity. He also discusses the Exodus Project, which is investigating the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine and its effect on LGBTQI people. Aubrey describes the ability for William & Mary students to build queer-affirming communities in various spaces, including his experience on the Bhangra team.
Jimmy Lockedmonds graduated from William and Mary with an MBA in Accounting in 2008 and a Masters in Accounting in 2009. He is from Central Virginia outside of Charlottesville, and currently lives in Alexandria with his husband. He is currently involved with the Crim Dell Association at William & Mary and works in federal contracting. Jimmy Lockedmonds discusses his involvement with various activities at William & Mary, including his experience building a chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity together with his freshmen hallmates. He was also involved with the College Partnership for Kids, the University Center Activities Board, the William & Mary Pep Band, Phone a Thon, and working in Building Operations at Swem. Jimmy describes various events held by LGBT organizations on campus. He also discusses his current involvement with the Crim Dell Association and alumni networks.
Jimmy Lockedmonds graduated from William and Mary with an MBA in Accounting in 2008 and a Masters in Accounting in 2009. He is from Central Virginia outside of Charlottesville, and currently lives in Alexandria with his husband. He is currently involved with the Crim Dell Association at William & Mary and works in federal contracting. Jimmy Lockedmonds discusses his involvement with various activities at William & Mary, including his experience building a chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity together with his freshmen hallmates. He was also involved with the College Partnership for Kids, the University Center Activities Board, the William & Mary Pep Band, Phone a Thon, and working in Building Operations at Swem. Jimmy describes various events held by LGBT organizations on campus. He also discusses his current involvement with the Crim Dell Association and alumni networks.
Jimmy Lockedmonds graduated from William and Mary with an MBA in Accounting in 2008 and a Masters in Accounting in 2009. He is from Central Virginia outside of Charlottesville, and currently lives in Alexandria with his husband. He is currently involved with the Crim Dell Association at William & Mary and works in federal contracting. Jimmy Lockedmonds discusses his involvement with various activities at William & Mary, including his experience building a chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity together with his freshmen hallmates. He was also involved with the College Partnership for Kids, the University Center Activities Board, the William & Mary Pep Band, Phone a Thon, and working in Building Operations at Swem. Jimmy describes various events held by LGBT organizations on campus. He also discusses his current involvement with the Crim Dell Association and alumni networks.
Malvika Shrimali ('24) is from Ashburn, VA. They are co-editor in chief of the Gallery literary arts magazine, co-president of Wordshop (a creative writing club), and a member of the South Asian Student Organization and Humans of William & Mary. They are a Hispanic Studies and Environmental Studies double major, and use these fields to examine environmental justice and environmental colonialism. An avid writer and poet, Malvika hopes to become a journalist in the future.
In this interview, Malvika discusses their ability to be a "queer student" in academics at William & Mary. They also describe the interaction between being both queer and Indian and their experiences building community with other queer and Indian students. Malvika writes poetry and makes collages, and they discuss their experience with those art forms, as well as literary clubs at William & Mary. They also describe their coming out experience, including talking to professors about using they/them pronouns.
Malvika Shrimali ('24) is from Ashburn, VA. They are co-editor in chief of the Gallery literary arts magazine, co-president of Wordshop (a creative writing club), and a member of the South Asian Student Organization and Humans of William & Mary. They are a Hispanic Studies and Environmental Studies double major, and use these fields to examine environmental justice and environmental colonialism. An avid writer and poet, Malvika hopes to become a journalist in the future.
In this interview, Malvika discusses their ability to be a "queer student" in academics at William & Mary. They also describe the interaction between being both queer and Indian and their experiences building community with other queer and Indian students. Malvika writes poetry and makes collages, and they discuss their experience with those art forms, as well as literary clubs at William & Mary. They also describe their coming out experience, including talking to professors about using they/them pronouns.
Malvika Shrimali ('24) is from Ashburn, VA. They are co-editor in chief of the Gallery literary arts magazine, co-president of Wordshop (a creative writing club), and a member of the South Asian Student Organization and Humans of William & Mary. They are a Hispanic Studies and Environmental Studies double major, and use these fields to examine environmental justice and environmental colonialism. An avid writer and poet, Malvika hopes to become a journalist in the future.
In this interview, Malvika discusses their ability to be a "queer student" in academics at William & Mary. They also describe the interaction between being both queer and Indian and their experiences building community with other queer and Indian students. Malvika writes poetry and makes collages, and they discuss their experience with those art forms, as well as literary clubs at William & Mary. They also describe their coming out experience, including talking to professors about using they/them pronouns.
Owen Williams is a History and Government double major in the class of 2023. He is from Vienna, Virginia, and has been involved in a variety of campus organizations at William & Mary. He is currently on Student Assembly as the chief of staff, and is also involved in Interfraternity Council and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Owen Williams discusses his experiences with various student organizations, including being a member of Lambda Alliance his freshman year, and subsequently working with them as a member of Student Assembly. Within Student Assembly, Owen has been involved with civic engagement and diversity and accessibility initiatives. He also discusses his experience in Greek life as a member of Phi Gamma Delta and his efforts to create a more inclusive and LGBT-friendly space within that fraternity. Along with these campus involvements, Owen describes coming out before college and the lack of diversity in scholarship included in history and government classes.
Owen Williams is a History and Government double major in the class of 2023. He is from Vienna, Virginia, and has been involved in a variety of campus organizations at William & Mary. He is currently on Student Assembly as the chief of staff, and is also involved in Interfraternity Council and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Owen Williams discusses his experiences with various student organizations, including being a member of Lambda Alliance his freshman year, and subsequently working with them as a member of Student Assembly. Within Student Assembly, Owen has been involved with civic engagement and diversity and accessibility initiatives. He also discusses his experience in Greek life as a member of Phi Gamma Delta and his efforts to create a more inclusive and LGBT-friendly space within that fraternity. Along with these campus involvements, Owen describes coming out before college and the lack of diversity in scholarship included in history and government classes.
Owen Williams is a History and Government double major in the class of 2023. He is from Vienna, Virginia, and has been involved in a variety of campus organizations at William & Mary. He is currently on Student Assembly as the chief of staff, and is also involved in Interfraternity Council and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Owen Williams discusses his experiences with various student organizations, including being a member of Lambda Alliance his freshman year, and subsequently working with them as a member of Student Assembly. Within Student Assembly, Owen has been involved with civic engagement and diversity and accessibility initiatives. He also discusses his experience in Greek life as a member of Phi Gamma Delta and his efforts to create a more inclusive and LGBT-friendly space within that fraternity. Along with these campus involvements, Owen describes coming out before college and the lack of diversity in scholarship included in history and government classes.
Matthew Wright graduated from William & Mary in 2022 with a double major in Psychology and Film and Media Studies. He is from Ashburn, VA. While at William & Mary, Matthew was involved in Lambda Alliance and a cappella. After graduating, he is working with children on the autism spectrum as a behavior therapist.
Matthew Wright joined Lambda Alliance his freshman year, and they discuss various experiences with the organization, including social events, serving as the public relations chair, and the negative effect COVID had on the organization and its attendance. He also describes memories of queer nights at the Triangle. Matthew has built a community of queer friends, and discusses the benefits of these relationships. They also describe the pride events hosted by Lambda Alliance and Rainbow Coalition, as well as the university administration's attempts to be more inclusive.
Matthew Wright graduated from William & Mary in 2022 with a double major in Psychology and Film and Media Studies. He is from Ashburn, VA. While at William & Mary, Matthew was involved in Lambda Alliance and a cappella. After graduating, he is working with children on the autism spectrum as a behavior therapist.
Matthew Wright joined Lambda Alliance his freshman year, and they discuss various experiences with the organization, including social events, serving as the public relations chair, and the negative effect COVID had on the organization and its attendance. He also describes memories of queer nights at the Triangle. Matthew has built a community of queer friends, and discusses the benefits of these relationships. They also describe the pride events hosted by Lambda Alliance and Rainbow Coalition, as well as the university administration's attempts to be more inclusive.
Matthew Wright graduated from William & Mary in 2022 with a double major in Psychology and Film and Media Studies. He is from Ashburn, VA. While at William & Mary, Matthew was involved in Lambda Alliance and a cappella. After graduating, he is working with children on the autism spectrum as a behavior therapist.
Matthew Wright joined Lambda Alliance his freshman year, and they discuss various experiences with the organization, including social events, serving as the public relations chair, and the negative effect COVID had on the organization and its attendance. He also describes memories of queer nights at the Triangle. Matthew has built a community of queer friends, and discusses the benefits of these relationships. They also describe the pride events hosted by Lambda Alliance and Rainbow Coalition, as well as the university administration's attempts to be more inclusive.