Oral History Interview with Quinton E. Baker, February 23, 2002. Interview K-0838. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Quinton E. Baker reflects on how his identity as a black gay man influenced his social activism, especially his role in the 1960s civil rights protests. He begins by describing his childhood in the segregated South, noting that he had little contact with whites while growing up. He knew at a young age that he was different from most other boys, as did his father, who tried to make him adopt a more traditional masculine identity. After graduating from high school, Baker enrolled at North Carolina Central University, where he became active in civil rights protests. He also taught nonviolent protest in Chapel Hill, where he befriended Pat Cusick and John Dunne, two student activists. A short time later, Baker began a sexual relationship with Dunne. Baker hoped to find acceptance within the white gay community, but he says that race affected those relationships, as well. Baker was arrested multiple times during the Chapel Hill protests, and the judge, who was frustrated by how little prison time he could give the students, used court time to further punish the activists. Baker and Dunne ended their relationship before going to prison. The few months Baker spent in prison changed his life's trajectory. He eventually graduated from the University of Wisconsin. After living in Boston for a while, Baker decided to return to North Carolina, where he became involved in community affairs again. At the time of the interview, he continued to fight for social justice in the arena of health care.
Excerpts
Understanding his sexuality while growing up
African American community protects its children from racism
Father's attempts to change Baker
African American community's treatment of homosexuals prior to desegregation
Becoming involved in civil rights protests
Training protesters in Chapel Hill
Protestors respond negatively to Baker's homosexuality
Divisions among those fighting for equality
Reasons for not supporting hate crimes legislation
Atmosphere in Chapel Hill during desegregation
Fundamentalist Christianity creates greater racial equality within congregations
Baker does not feel that he fits the homosexual stereotype
How Baker and Dunne handled their relationship in public
The protestors' experience with the Orange County court system
How the protestors were sentenced
Baker's prison experience
Description of Judge Mallard
Learning to never expect white support
Baker is paroled and transfers to the University of Wisconsin
Gay communities in the North and reasons for return to the South
Current social justice interests
Martin Luther King Jr.'s response to homosexuality
John Dunne's character
Refuting Sears's work
How Baker wants to be remembered
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