A People’s History of the Inland Empire Digital Archive

Connie Confer Oral History

2024.005.005

Oral History

Connie Confer moved to Riverside in 1969 and since then has been an active organizer for LGBTQ+ and women’s issues in Riverside, holding leadership positions in organizations such as the Inland AIDS Project and the Political Action Coalition for Elections (PACE). The oral history begins with Confer discussing how she came to Riverside in 1969. She reflects on homophobia she experienced early on in the area. She then describes how after the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and California Proposition 6 in 1978, she became involved in political organizing for LGBTQ+ rights. Confer details her belief in the political and social power of the act of coming out, and her coming out in Riverside’s conservative climate. She then recounts her career working as Assistant City Attorney for Riverside for over 20 years and the work of the Inland AIDS Project and the Political Action Coalition for Elections, both of which she was president of. Confer then discusses the local battle over the AIDS Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, the backlash from the conservative Riverside Citizens for Responsible Behavior, and the work of her partner Kay Berryhill-Smith on the Human Relations Commission at the time. She also describes the work of the Inland AIDS Project in supporting and providing care for individuals with HIV/AIDS during the AIDS epidemic. Confer then details the AIDS Name Project Quilt and its community impact, which was brought to the Riverside Convention Center in 1987. She discusses the political fundraising work of PACE and its connection with the Menagerie. Confer recalls gay pride celebrations in the Riverside area which took place in the 80s and 90s and the Inland AIDS Project AIDS walks in downtown Riverside. She then describes PAC, a social group for LGBTQ+ men and women, women’s music, and lesbian cruises in the 1980s and 1990s. Confer discusses her work in women’s rights issues, including with the Spouse Abuse Coalition and Riverside County Coalition for Alternatives to Domestic Violence. The oral history closes with Conner reflecting on the state of LGBTQ+ rights today, including the fight for transgender rights and the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.

LGBTQ History

AIDS epidemic

Homophobia

Discrimination

LGBTQ Community

Gay marriage

Political organizing

Gay pride

Gay bars

Organizations

LGBTQ Media

Women's liberation

Women's music

Feminism

Domestic violence

Transgender rights

Solidarity

Gay and Lesbian Political Action Coalition for Elections (PACE)

Inland Empire AIDS Project (IAP)

San Bernardino (Calif.)

Riverside (Calif.)

Colton (Calif.)

1970s-present

Connie Confer

Jill Surdzial

November 1, 2022

A People's History of the I.E.

Audio

English

02:49:52