Susan Keehn
- Title
- Susan Keehn
- Date(s)
- 04/15/2026
- Interviewee(s)
- Susan Keehn See all items with this value
- Interviewer(s)
- Jai O'Dell See all items with this value
- Interviewer Position
- Student in GWS 467: Locating Queer Culture.
- Summary
-
To access this interview, please contact the Student Life and Culture Archives at illiarch@illinois.edu
Susan Keehn provides a view into the lived experiences of gay rights activists on the University of Illinois campus during the 1970s. Keehn first became involved in gay rights organizing through the Gay Illini: Gay People’s Alliance at the U of I at UC. Colloquially known as the Gay Illini, this organization sought the social and legal advancement of gay people in the Champaign-Urbana area, launching innumerable educational and consciousness-raising campaigns both on campus and in the greater community. Among their most well-known was the Gay Switchboard, which provided individuals with information on gay-friendly social spaces, mental and physical health resources, and emotional support. Keehn served as the co-president of the Gay Illini from 1975 to 1977 while earning her graduate degree from the university. - Language
- English
- Subject(s)
- alumni See all items with this value
- gay illini See all items with this value
- gay switchboard See all items with this value
- queer students See all items with this value
- Item sets
- Locating Queer Culture
Part of Susan Keehn