Oral history interview with Cheryl Ann Spector, 1958-2007

Spector, originally from Toms River, New Jersey, moved to DC in 1976 to attend American University. Although Spector was a self-described “straight girl” during her college years, she nonetheless enjoyed going out to LGBT clubs such as The Pier and The Clubhouse for the disco and funk music. During this time Spector also learned that her brother Stan was gay, and enjoyed spending time with him and his long-distance boyfriend when Stan would visit them in DC.

After college, Spector began working at DC’s Channel Five. It was during this time that Spector was first introduced to the lesbian community by coworkers and friends, and began to realize
her own attraction to women. Spector came out in 1983, and threw herself into the DC LGBT scene, spending her weekends partying and DJing at clubs such as The Phase, Hung Jury,
Tracks, and The Other Side, and involving herself in lesbian groups such as The Gay Women’s Alternative and Roadwork.

In 1984, Cheryl’s brother Stan was diagnosed with AIDS, and took his life a year later. Her brother’s death spurred Spector to become involved in queer and HIV/AIDS activism in DC, and
in 1987 Spector joined the local planning committee for The Second National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights. After the march, Spector helped co-found OUT
(“Oppression Under Target”), and subsequently participated in various actions around DC protesting anti-LGBT discrimination and demanding the government acknowledge the AIDS
crisis. Spector later also became involved with the DC chapters of ACT UP and Queer Nation, and continued finding new and creative ways to protest the government’s inaction, spread
awareness about safe sex, and criticize anti-LGBT legislation. Spector often used her public relations and media expertise to document and promote these actions.

In 2009, Cheryl was named a Community Pioneer. You can read her online biography.

Consult her public Wikipedia page. [external link]

80s-90s

Jewish lesbian experience, lesbian activism, AIDS activism, Lesbian Avengers, OUT, ACT UP, Dyke March

Yes, transcription available