LGBTQIA+ Resources: Archival Resources

Rachel Gundersen was interviewed by John Magerus on October 16, 2000. Ms. Gundersen completed her Master's Degree in School Psychology in 1977 and was hired by the La Crosse School District. Rachel states that the first adolescent gay and lesbian workshop was held in 1986 in Minnesota. Shortly after this workshop, an adolescent gay male was referred to Rachel for counseling. This relationship sparked her interest in working with the La Crosse community to build support groups, sources, and acceptance for LGBT students.

Mary O'Sullivan was interviewed by John Magerus on July 21, 2001. Mary discusses her personal history, from high school to her professional career, coming out, dating and LGBT social issues.

In 1983, Jackie started the College Student Personnel program at UW-La Crosse where she became hall director during the two year program. She completed the program in 1985 and she earned her MS degree in 1987 upon completion of her thesis. Jackie remembers Mike Haller, David Hogue and Reid Horley along with the 50 students in the program. She became good friends with several of them and has fond memories of her time in La Crosse. During this time, Jackie "came out" as a gay woman and is very open and forthright about her confusion about her gender preference and the process of recognizing her true orientation. She states that staff, administrators and students she met at UW-La Crosse were, for the most part, very supportive and very tolerant of sexual orientation.

Jacque Reidelberger was interviewed by John Magerus on July 26, 2001. Mr. Reidelberger discusses his personal history, the gay culture in La Crosse, coming out, and working with the La Crosse Area Gay Assocation.

Linda Zimmerman was interviewed by John Magerus on July 26, 2001. Ms. Zimmerman discusses her personal history, from high school to her career, coming out, socializing through sports, and her work with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Joy Holthaus was interviewed by John Magerus on December 7, 2000. Ms. Holthaus discusses her personal history, from high school to her career at Fort McCoy, coming out, socializing, and her work with the "Out and about women" production company and the Governance Council on Lesbian and Gay Issues.

Dean Klinkenberg was interviewed by John Magerus on November 6, 2000. Mr. Klinkenberg discusses his personal history, the gay culture in La Crosse, problems with alcohol addiction, coming out, and working with Crossroads United Campus Ministry.

Keith Kensinger was interviewed by John Magerus on September 2, 2000. Mr. Kensinger discusses his personal history, coming out, his work as a campus minister working with Crossroads and a gay support group in the 1980's.

Bill Fleming was interviewed by John Magerus on September 18, 2000. Mr. Fleming discusses his personal history, growing up in Viroqua, WI, coming out, and support systems. Fleming was hired by La Crosse County Health Department as an AIDS Educator. During his time with the county, Bill helped to design and implement an education program for AIDS educators that became, and is still today, a state wide model. Bill was hired by the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin to open, staff and direct their regional office in La Crosse and worked there until his "retirement." But, Bill just couldn't retire. His caring spirit kept him active and he finished his career supervising developmentally disabled adults, first at ABLE and finally at Dungarvin where he was employed at the time of his death. --La Crosse Tribune.