Queer Newark

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Queer Newark

The city of Newark, New Jersey has a fascinating and well-documented history. For more information, please email q***[email protected]

A community-based and community-directed initiative supported by Rutgers University-Newark, the Q***r Newark Oral History Project is dedicated to preserving the history of LGBTQ people and communities in Newark, New Jersey. There are studies of its rich cultural, musical, and literary legacy, its educational system, political life, religious life, immigrant roots, and history of racial conflict. Y

et there is one group whose undeniable contribution to the city’s life has rarely been the subject of historical or academic study -- Newark’s LGBT community.

08/27/2026

Today, we are highlighting some new interviews shared on our website!

Recently, Q***r Newark has uploaded three new interviews, from three very different people and experiences.

Rafael Chavez Santiago speaks about his experiences in organizing and immigration. His interview documents his life in New York and Newark, working for local nonprofits to support all disenfranchised communities, and the experience being a proud LGBTQ+ immigrant. Listen to Rafael's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/rafael-chavez-santiago

Sky Lara grew up in the Forest Hill District of Newark, and has spent their adult life serving the local community. Their interview touches on the experience of growing up with immigrant parents and their mission to make positive changes in the community. Listen to Sky's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/sky-lara

Cathy Renna has a storied experience with the LGBTQ+ community. Serving as Communications Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, and Media Director for GLAAD, Cathy has been pushing q***r stories to the forefront for decades. Listen to Cathy's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/cathy-renna

08/25/2026

Marsha P. Johnson, trailblazing icon and fiercely vocal activist, would have turned 81 today! Though she’s most well known for her immense contributions to the fight for q***r life, rights, and safety in New York City, she was actually born and raised in Elizabeth, only a few miles from us here in Newark. On her birthday, we are especially reminded of how important it is to honor her legacy, and remember that anyone can make history!

Marsha P. Johnson: “History isn't something you look back at and say it was inevitable, it happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”

08/21/2026

Flashback Friday
2016➡2026!

Q***r Newark wanted to shout out a couple interviews that turn 10 years old in 2026. Each other these individuals sat down for an interview in 2016 but the topics they discussed are still present in the LGBTQ+ community today.

Kysheif DeGraffenreid was born and raised in Newark, and working in mental health and counseling. Their interview discusses spirituality, ball culture, and mental health concerns in the LGBTQ community. Listen to Kysheif's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/kysheif-degraffenreid

Rodney Gilbert was a performer and businessman who worked across Newark in art educational programming. With his company Yendor Productions, he worked to meet the challenges for underserved communities. Rodney discusses LGBT interpersonal relationships, spirituality and the art of performance in his April 2016 interview. Listen to Rodney's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/rodney-gilbert

Bryan Epps is a political and community activist who has worked across New Jersey. Bryan has worked to uplift disenfranchised communities through his organizing and nonprofit work, and speaks of his work in education and activism in his interview. Listen to Bryan's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/bryan-epps

***rNewark

08/19/2026

Today we are spotlighting Andrea Hayward!

Andrea spent much of her childhood and early adulthood in Newark. With a lot of experience with Newark and New York nightlife, Andrea's interview is an interesting time-capsule for what LGBT life was like for a le***an in the eighties.
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🎧Listen to Andrea's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/andrea-hayward

08/17/2026

Today we are spotlighting Denise Hinds!

In 2022, Denise Hinds sat with Q***r Newark and discussed her experiences as a Newark transplant. Denise talks in length about spirituality and support, highlighting the work Newark's LGBTQ Community Center has done to uplift the local q***r population.
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🎧Listen to Denise's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/denise-hinds

08/14/2026

Today we are spotlighting Alex Riddick! 🏳️‍🌈

Alex is a Newark native who has worked in various professions across the city. Well-known for his work in entertainment and art, Alex is still creating art and spreading joy to people in New Jersey.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎
🎧Check out his profile for more pictures and his interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/alex-riddick

08/12/2026

Q***r Newark is Spotlighting our interview with Taj Shareef!
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Taj is an artist and storyteller, shaped by life in New Jersey and living in LA. Hardworking and humble, Taj describes the experiences that led him to chase-and achieve-his dreams in entertainment, writing, and art.

🎧Listen to Taj's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/taj-shareef

08/10/2026

Today, we are Spotlighting Guy Striano's interview! 🏳️‍🌈

Guy Striano emersed himself in the Newark q***r community while a bartender at numerous gay bars. His interview is full of experiences from the Cactus Club, Charlie's West, Paradisio, Twilio, and numerous other LGBT night life venues. Sadly Guy passed away in 2021, only a year after giving his oral history interview.

🎧Listen to Guy's interview: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/guy-striano

08/08/2026

How has your community impact your identity?
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Q***r Newark asks this questions in many of their interviews. Listen to these responses, and think about how your identity has been shaped by your community.

08/07/2026

🏳️‍🌈Another Q***r Newark Interview Spotlight‼️
It has been three years since we spoke to Alisha Day, and her interview hits just as much now as it did then! Alisha speaks about her experiences growing up, and becoming an iconic performer in the NJ/NY drag scene. ✨
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎
Listen to Alisha Day's interview here: https://q***r.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/alisha-day

Alisha Day: "I’m high energy, dynamic. I take my drag very seriously, but I don’t take myself too seriously. So I like the fact that I’m a very pretty looking woman, but I can say some funny and crass and naughty things and I think that juxtaposition is funny ’cause you wouldn’t expect so many filthy things to come out of that beautiful mouth of mine, but they do. I give my all when I perform. It’s very Black American-princess-inspired, the Black experience inspires my drag."

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