David Levasseur

Abstract

David Levasseur, born in 1958, grew up in the French-Canadian neighborhood of Castle Hills in Salem. He attended Salem High School and worked as an Administrative Assistant at Salem State University, where she earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees. His tight-knit, Catholic, working-class family encouraged him to be an altar boy and even had him prescribed Valium because they suspected he was gay. He discusses being closeted and the enormous violence and fear surrounding young gay men. He started going to gay bars in Boston after graduating high school and would later attend Mr. Dominic’s, Joseph’s, and Fran’s Place in Lynn. He lived in San Francisco from 1978 to 1986, spending much of his time in the Castro District. He currently resides in Lynn and spends some time on the West Coast. David wants to see more outreach/support to LBGTQ+ elders. His November 2023 interview discusses French-Canadian identity, Catholicism, family life, changes in the LGBTQ+ community, the changing nature of Salem and Lynn, gay and lesbian bars, coming out, racial discrimination, and his recent wedding. Interview carried out by Andrew Darien.