Oral history interview with Wallace Corbett

Description

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Abstract

1982-2013

Wallace talked about moving to DC in 1982 when he was in his early 20's. He lived a fun young gay man life. Spending weekends out at clubs developing many friendships. He became HIV+ through a lover who became HIV+ through his hemophilia. This transformed Wallace's life. After his lover passed, he became an HIV activist. Worked two jobs and joined several gay and HIV activist groups. Wallace was in the first AIDS Ride from Philly to DC. Wallace was in several of the AIDS Rides. Wallace met a 10 year old boy on one of the rides who was born with HIV. This boy left a strong impression on Wallace. Someone Wallace would like to find today.

He met a second love Myron Miles (?) through the MCC. In the mid-1990s Myron had a mid-life crisis, ended the relationship with Wallace and started dating a man named Everett Jennings. This proved a very dangerous for Mryon. Everett was mentally ill and tried to kill Mryon, Mryon's parents and grandmother. It was a big drama.

Wallace talked about how he was out at his jobs throughout his working career here in DC. But when he was HIV and when friends and lovers died, he kept that to himself. Being gay was okay but HIV+ was to big of a stigma.

Date

Interviewer

Interviewee

Location

Adams Morgan

Transcription

No, not yet available.

Original Format

Yes, recording available.

Citation

“Oral history interview with Wallace Corbett,” Rainbow History Project Digital Collections, accessed November 21, 2024, https://archives.rainbowhistory.org/items/show/1404.

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