Kathy Clay

Abstract

Kathy Clay, born circa 1947, was a lesbian from Beverly who lived in Lynn and who went to the Light House and Fran’s Place. She attended St. Mary’s, Memorial Junior High, and Beverly High. She worked as an auto mechanic and house cleaner. Kathy Clay was interviewed by Patricia Gozemba on November 27, 1983, about lesbian life in the 1960s at the Light House and, more recently, at Fran’s Place. She speaks about being locked in Danvers State Mental Hospital at age 15 and a nurse who recognized she was lesbian and steered her towards Fran's on her release. She talks about violence and being kidnapped at the bar, police harassment, rape, family, leather, looking like a guy, butch-femme behavior, and relationships.