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Map documenting Freedmen’s settlements in Central Texas created for a 2010 Austin History Center exhibit. Using an 1891 map, 10 early Freedmen's settlements are shown in the shaded areas. Additional settlements outside the map area are depicted on the side of the map. The boundaries for these communities are based on documentary evidence found in the Austin History Center archives. After the end of the Civil War, many formerly enslaved people migrated to Austin and settled in local communities, usually on the east side of town. These communities, known as Freedmen's settlements, became established African-American communities and grew in population during the late 1800s. The 20th century saw them begin to decline, due to gentrification, city redevelopment, and other external forces. Some of these neighborhoods still exist today and have historical designation. The map was updated from the original in 2021 to add the "Red River Street Community." Research into Black settlements is ongoing and additional communities not documented on this map have been identified since the map was created.

Ana Ixchel Rosal (she/her) interviewed by UT Austin student Natalie Sather about her experiences as a Latina lesbian doing community organizing work. The interview first discusses her early life in the 1960s-1970s. Then the interview discusses her move to Austin in 1995 and her work with local nonprofits, including the Latino Arts organization, La Peña and ALLGO (Austin Latino Lesbian and Gay Organization). Later, the interview discusses her work as the first director of the University of Texas at Austin's Gender and Sexuality Center. Finally, Rosal discusses her and her family's experiences with racism in Austin and her decision to move to New York.

Dennis Medina (any pronouns) interviewed by UT Austin student Arely Gonzalez about his life as a queer Chicano activist. The interview first discusses Medina's childhood growing up in La Joya, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley and the lack of queer representation he had at the time. The interview then moves to Medina's undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University in the 1970s, and finding a queer community for the first time. The conversation then covers his time as a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin and later his work to help jumpstart many large Latino/a community LGBTQ organizations, such as ALLGO (Austin Latino Lesbian and Gay Organization) and LLEGO (National Latino/a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization).

Alice Woods interviewed by UT Austin student Auburn Lucas about her experiences with lesbian activism at UT Austin in the 1970s. Alice first discusses her childhood in small-town Texas and her relationship to her family. The conversation then moves to her long-term relationship with a partner and struggling with emotional dependency and her partner's alcoholism. Next, the interview discusses Alice's political involvement as a lesbian feminist in the 1970s-1980s and her thoughts on lesbian separatism. Finally, Alice discusses her spirituality.

Sharon Bridgforth interviewed by UT Austin student Libby Sears about her life and career as a queer artist. Sharon first discusses her early life in Chicago and later Los Angeles during the 1960s-70s. She describes becoming a parent, coming out, and finding her identity. Sharon then describes her move to Austin in 1989, her process of building community, and her work community organizing during the first ten years of her life in the city. During this time she worked for the Travis County Health Department and volunteered with allgo. The conversation then moves to Sharon's development as an artist, writer, and playwrite and the the importance of the queer of color community to her growth as an artist. Sharon then describes her move away from Austin and her journey back to her childhood home of Los Angeles. The interview concludes as Sharon expresses a hope for queer youth to learn from, connect with, and love those who came before them.

Alice Woods interviewed by UT Austin student Auburn Lucas about her experiences with lesbian activism at UT Austin in the 1970s. Alice first discusses her childhood in small-town Texas and her relationship to her family. The conversation then moves to her long-term relationship with a partner and struggling with emotional dependency and her partner's alcoholism. Next, the interview discusses Alice's political involvement as a lesbian feminist in the 1970s-1980s and her thoughts on lesbian separatism. Finally, Alice discusses her spirituality.

Alice Woods interviewed by UT Austin student Auburn Lucas about her experiences with lesbian activism at UT Austin in the 1970s. Alice first discusses her childhood in small-town Texas and her relationship to her family. The conversation then moves to her long-term relationship with a partner and struggling with emotional dependency and her partner's alcoholism. Next, the interview discusses Alice's political involvement as a lesbian feminist in the 1970s-1980s and her thoughts on lesbian separatism. Finally, Alice discusses her spirituality.

Allan Baker (he/him) interviewed by UT Austin student Jackson C. Gray about Baker's time in Austin queer activism and his work as a playwright. The interview first focuses on Allan’s experience growing up in the 1940s-1950s in Mesquite, Texas, his time in college in the 1960s, and in the Navy from 1968-1972. Then the interview moves into his work in LGRL (Now Equality Texas) and ALGPC (Austin Lesbian and Gay Political Caucus), and finally moves into how his experiences have affected his writing. Baker describes his feelings on the gay community, the gay experience, heteronormativity, and his experiences with the trans community. The interview frames Baker’s plays around his experiences in activism and examines how they are intertwined, and also how his initial experiences growing in a conservative environment has shaped his worldview.

Allan Baker (he/him) interviewed by UT Austin student Jackson C. Gray about Baker's time in Austin queer activism and his work as a playwright. The interview first focuses on Allan’s experience growing up in the 1940s-1950s in Mesquite, Texas, his time in college in the 1960s, and in the Navy from 1968-1972. Then the interview moves into his work in LGRL (Now Equality Texas) and ALGPC (Austin Lesbian and Gay Political Caucus), and finally moves into how his experiences have affected his writing. Baker describes his feelings on the gay community, the gay experience, heteronormativity, and his experiences with the trans community. The interview frames Baker’s plays around his experiences in activism and examines how they are intertwined, and also how his initial experiences growing in a conservative environment has shaped his worldview.

Ana Ixchel Rosal (she/her) interviewed by UT Austin student Natalie Sather about her experiences as a Latina lesbian doing community organizing work. The interview first discusses her early life in the 1960s-1970s. Then the interview discusses her move to Austin in 1995 and her work with local nonprofits, including the Latino Arts organization, La Peña and ALLGO (Austin Latino Lesbian and Gay Organization). Later, the interview discusses her work as the first director of the University of Texas at Austin's Gender and Sexuality Center. Finally, Rosal discusses her and her family's experiences with racism in Austin and her decision to move to New York.

Ash Hall (they/them) interviewed by UT Austin student Casey Harrell about their experience with queer-based discrimination and oppression in Texas, and their decision to become a career activist. First, the interview covers Ash's time as a student at Baylor University before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin in 2010. They discuss their time at UT Austin and their involvment in LGBTQ activism on campus. The interview then discusses Ash's work as a consultant on LGBTQ public policy and their work with Texas lawmakers to ensure that Texas legislation is inclusive and non-damaging to queer and transgender people.

Ash Hall (they/them) interviewed by UT Austin student Casey Harrell about their experience with queer-based discrimination and oppression in Texas, and their decision to become a career activist. First, the interview covers Ash's time as a student at Baylor University before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin in 2010. They discuss their time at UT Austin and their involvment in LGBTQ activism on campus. The interview then discusses Ash's work as a consultant on LGBTQ public policy and their work with Texas lawmakers to ensure that Texas legislation is inclusive and non-damaging to queer and transgender people.

Ash Hall (they/them) interviewed by UT Austin student Casey Harrell about their experience with queer-based discrimination and oppression in Texas, and their decision to become a career activist. First, the interview covers Ash's time as a student at Baylor University before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin in 2010. They discuss their time at UT Austin and their involvment in LGBTQ activism on campus. The interview then discusses Ash's work as a consultant on LGBTQ public policy and their work with Texas lawmakers to ensure that Texas legislation is inclusive and non-damaging to queer and transgender people.

Briona Jenkins (she/her) interviewed by UT Austin student Ashley Eyster Ortega about her work in Austin activism and nonprofits. The interview starts with Briona's childhood in Hamden, Connecticut and her early introduction to activism through her family's church. The interview then moves to Briona's work with various nonprofit organizations, her decision to move to Austin, Texas in 2015, and her views on the city. She discusses coming into her identity as a Black queer woman. In 2020 she started her business, Briona Jenkins Consulting where she does diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership trainings. She discusses balancing her time between her consulting business, activism, her podcast The Tea with Bri, and other engagements. Briona and Ashley then discuss corporate rainbow washing, the need for intersectional activism in the LGBTQ+ community, and Briona's experience building Black community in Austin.

Briona Jenkins (she/her) interviewed by UT Austin student Ashley Eyster Ortega about her work in Austin activism and nonprofits. The interview starts with Briona's childhood in Hamden, Connecticut and her early introduction to activism through her family's church. The interview then moves to Briona's work with various nonprofit organizations, her decision to move to Austin, Texas in 2015, and her views on the city. She discusses coming into her identity as a Black queer woman. In 2020 she started her business, Briona Jenkins Consulting where she does diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership trainings. She discusses balancing her time between her consulting business, activism, her podcast The Tea with Bri, and other engagements. Briona and Ashley then discuss corporate rainbow washing, the need for intersectional activism in the LGBTQ+ community, and Briona's experience building Black community in Austin.

David Thompson interviewed by UT Austin student Mohammad Mothaffar about his life in Austin, storytelling career, and community involvement. David first describes moving to Austin in 1982 or 1983 after living on a gay commune near Ashville, North Carolina for two years. He describes the organization of the commune and his experience living there. He then shares about his early life growing up in Georgia and living in cities around Europe in his 20s, including Paris, Munich, Leningrad and London. He discusses getting involved with the Radical Faeries in the 1980s which lead to him moving to the commune. The conversation moves to David's experiences with activism and his communities. He then discusses his involvement with Queer AA, World Storytelling Café, and Tejas Storytelling Association. Finally, he discusses his vision for the future, his advice to younger generation activists, and his own dreams and ambitions.

David Thompson interviewed by UT Austin student Mohammad Mothaffar about his life in Austin, storytelling career, and community involvement. David first describes moving to Austin in 1982 or 1983 after living on a gay commune near Ashville, North Carolina for two years. He describes the organization of the commune and his experience living there. He then shares about his early life growing up in Georgia and living in cities around Europe in his 20s, including Paris, Munich, Leningrad and London. He discusses getting involved with the Radical Faeries in the 1980s which lead to him moving to the commune. The conversation moves to David's experiences with activism and his communities. He then discusses his involvement with Queer AA, World Storytelling Café, and Tejas Storytelling Association. Finally, he discusses his vision for the future, his advice to younger generation activists, and his own dreams and ambitions.

Dr. Yolanda Chávez Leyva interviewed by UT Austin student Chase Seabourn about her life as a lesbian, Chicana historian, activist, and professor. The interview first discusses her early life in El Paso and her relationship to her family. She then discusses moving to Austin after finishing high school in 1975 where she got involved in lesbian and Chicano activism. The interview then discusses the differences that Chávez Leyva found between the queer community in Austin and El Paso. Then she discusses her involvement with the Austin Lesbian Organization (ALO) and her work to help found Chispas, which organized the first National Chicano/a Gay and Lesbian Conference and served as a precursor to ALLGO. The interview then discusses her role as a founding member of the lesbian-feminist news publication Goodbye to All That and how becoming a parent changed her relationship to queer activism. Chávez Leyva then discusses becoming a member of the Human Services Department for Travis County and later moving back to El Paso.

Dr. Yolanda Chávez Leyva interviewed by UT Austin student Chase Seabourn about her life as a lesbian, Chicana historian, activist, and professor. The interview first discusses her early life in El Paso and her relationship to her family. She then discusses moving to Austin after finishing high school in 1975 where she got involved in lesbian and Chicano activism. The interview then discusses the differences that Chávez Leyva found between the queer community in Austin and El Paso. Then she discusses her involvement with the Austin Lesbian Organization (ALO) and her work to help found Chispas, which organized the first National Chicano/a Gay and Lesbian Conference and served as a precursor to ALLGO. The interview then discusses her role as a founding member of the lesbian-feminist news publication Goodbye to All That and how becoming a parent changed her relationship to queer activism. Chávez Leyva then discusses becoming a member of the Human Services Department for Travis County and later moving back to El Paso.

Dr. Yolanda Chávez Leyva interviewed by UT Austin student Chase Seabourn about her life as a lesbian, Chicana historian, activist, and professor. The interview first discusses her early life in El Paso and her relationship to her family. She then discusses moving to Austin after finishing high school in 1975 where she got involved in lesbian and Chicano activism. The interview then discusses the differences that Chávez Leyva found between the queer community in Austin and El Paso. Then she discusses her involvement with the Austin Lesbian Organization (ALO) and her work to help found Chispas, which organized the first National Chicano/a Gay and Lesbian Conference and served as a precursor to ALLGO. The interview then discusses her role as a founding member of the lesbian-feminist news publication Goodbye to All That and how becoming a parent changed her relationship to queer activism. Chávez Leyva then discusses becoming a member of the Human Services Department for Travis County and later moving back to El Paso.

Glenna Williams (she/her) interviewed by UT Austin student Bethany Doria about her career working as a lawyer for child protective services and her identity as a transgender woman. The interview first discusses Glenna's childhood in Billings, Montana; Denver, Colorado; and Houston, Texas before moving to Austin in the 1960s for law school. She then discusses her career with child protective services and how it influenced her to run for Texas State Senate in 2018. Glenna and Bethany discuss their relationships with their families and Glenna shares about the recent death of her sister. The interview then moves to discuss Glenna's recent transition and how it has changed the way she navigates the world. Finally, Glenna discusses her short films and her participation in the Austin Film Festival.