Oral history interview with Keith Clark (2001 Interview)

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Keith Clark provides us with a bit of narration of his early life in the DMV area, first arriving in Baltimore back in 83’ for an internship, and then shortly making way to DuPont Circle just two years later. The DC area is where Keith makes his permanent move as he expresses that the quality of people allowed for a most comfortable stay. When not working at the architecture firm, he spent a good deal of time making friends at the gym where the population of other gay men had been plentiful. Keith also expresses that DC had a way of making politics more interesting and enjoyable for him. Around this time is when the aid crisis began to take flame as well. Keith had lost many friends to such, and later would find that he had become infected himself. Depression has struck Keith many times. He feared his inevitable death, as well as the death of his friends/acquaintances. Nonetheless, Keith continued to volunteer, first with HRC, then participating in the aid walk, and many more events thereafter. Eventually there was a time when Keith started his own volunteer opportunities, and then he felt that he must consider things for himself. Kieth started “One in 10” and began to sell high-end clothing so that he could begin saving up enough to prepare for a time when working may not be much of a choice anymore due to his illness.

80s-00s

Gay business scene, Universal Gear, One in Ten formation

Yes, transcription available

Yes, recording available