Interview with Michael Dafoe
oral history, relationships, bars
In this oral history interview Michael Dafoe, 53 years old, describes his life as gay teacher and historian in Toronto. The interview begins with Michael discussing his background. He mentions he was born in Winnipeg to an upper middle-class family, he describes his relationship with parents and friends, his teenage years in the 1940s, his education, his growing up pretending to be straight, and his moving to Toronto in the 1960s. The interview covers Michael’s coming out experience, his entry into the Toronto gay scene, friendships, bars, parties, and meeting places. He also comments on male prostitution in the city, his relationships with hustlers, his inability to make long-term emotional connections, his disagreement with gay liberationist stances, and the need to create a group for gay old men in Toronto.
Foolscap Oral History Project
1984-03-10
John Grube
CLGA
PDF, WAV
English
Sound, text
2016-034
Toronto 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
Interview with David Allandyle
oral history, relationships, bars
Oral history interview with a gay man, David, completed as part of the Foolscap project.
David, a 60 year old gay man at the time of the interview, discusses his long-term relationships and friendships in Toronto after World War II. He came out in the 1940s after being in service, while he studied Political Science and Economics at the University of Toronto. The interview covers David’s early life, family and friendships, being gay at work, the gay bar culture in Toronto, cruising in streets and parks in the city, occasional sexual encounters, police surveillance, his stance on psychiatric therapy, and his participation on demonstrations marching up Yonge street after the bath-house raids. David also discusses politics, defining himself as a conservative, his work experience in branch stores and in the field of interior design, as well as his rejection of the current gay culture.
Foolscap Oral History Project
1983-11-21
John Grube
CLGA
PDF, WAV
English
Sound, text
2016-034
Toronto 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s