Interviewer: John Goins

Project: University Of Houston

Born in 1937 and moving to Houston in 1953, Kay Van Cleave offers a glimpse into early gay life there and the beginnings of its organization. As a member of the group that founded the Diana’s in the 1950s, she was present at the earliest of the events. In her early years, she associated with an elite, moneyed, group that did not involve itself politically. Her interview reveals the atmosphere in the fifties and sixties with regard to coming out in those years, the lifestyle of gay individuals, and the issues of race and class. In time, however, Kay became more “out” publicly and participated in groups that she considered to be important. This included among others, membership in PFLAG and forming the first Alcoholics Anonymous chapter, Lambda, for gay women and men in Houston.