Chloe Eastwood

ELLEN BELLUOMINI MACKENZIE TELLS THE STORY OF DISCOVERING HER SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND SEXUALITY, INCLUDING THE WAYS THIS HAS IMPACTED HER SENSE OF FAMILY. MACKENZIE GREW UP AND LIVED MOST OF HER LIFE IN CHICAGO AND HAS RECENTLY MOVED TO WASHINGTON D.C. WITH PLANS TO STAY. AS SHE DESCRIBES HER PROCESS OF COMING OUT TO HERSELF AND TO HER FAMILY, SHE REFLECTS ON HER VALUES AND THE CULTURAL VALUES WHICH HAVE CHANGED AROUND HER BOTH THROUGH TIME AND IN THE VARIOUS PLACES SHE HAS TRAVELED AND LIVED.

The interview focuses on Denise Thomson's experiences in the lesbian communities of Charlottesville, Phoenix, Richmond, and D.C. Denise describes various stages of her life, in terms of school, family, where she lived, and whom she dated. Denise does not identify as stud/femme, but has experienced a tendency towards it in some communities.

The interview focuses on butch culture of Buffalo, NY, where Phedra grew up and DC, where they live now. Phedra discusses the phases of coming out and adopting lesbian, butch, and trans-masculine identities and the importance of finding community and accepting spaces. They discuss the role of support both in families and dating and in community spaces and intergenerational aspects of the butch community.