Oral History Interview, Jason Orne (1197)

Abstract

In his interview with Molly Kuhlman, Jason Orne discusses his sexuality and experiences as a gay youth and man. As a boy, Orne found himself attracted to other boys. He struggled, however, to label his sexual identity as a young man and sought answers to his questions about sex and life as a gay man in internet chatrooms. Orne recalls his coming out experiences, which ranged among friends and family members, and remembers what it was like to live as an out student in high school. He attended the University of Texas-Austin where he became involved in the queer community and political activism. His time at UT-Austin also included several serious relationships, which he details throughout the interview. Now a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Orne has less time for political involvement, but remains connected to the gay community.