Sylver Oral History

In this interview, Sylver describes a childhood growing up in the Bronx and a period of awakening that began after they were kicked-out of their mother’s home at 15. Sylver, having at times struggled with depression and alcohol dependence, describes the impact of finding their trans family and discovering activism through organizations such as Sylvia’s Place, WRRQ, an artist collective, and an inter-generational theatre group. The arts and self-expression have also been central for Sylver, who connected with the New York ballroom and drag scenes early on and who now works with youth at a camp called Arts In the Woods. (Summary by Wendy Knight.)

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Item Information:

Identifier: wh246s39p
Collection: Audio and Video Clips and Transcripts
Institution: NYC Trans Oral History Project
Creator(s): Maya, Elliott
Sylver
Publisher: New York Public Library
Date Created: Jul. 28, 2017
Dates Covered: 1992 to 2017
Genre: Oral Histories
Subject(s): Marsha P. Johnson
Sylver
Places: New York > New York County > Harlem
New York > Kings County > Brooklyn
New York > Queens
New York > Bronx County > Bronx
New York > Richmond County > Staten Island
Topic(s): Alcoholism
Childhood
Christianity
Clothing
Communities
Depression
Drag balls
Drag community
Families
Gender diversity
Lesbian community
LGBTI community
Self-acceptance
Social exclusion
Transgender people
Transgender youth
Two-Spirit people
Youth organisations
Youth shelters
Resource Type: Audio
Digital Format: Duration: 58 minutes 14 seconds
Language: English
Rights: Copyright undetermined
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