Chelsea Blanchard and Wendy Blanchard

Interviewed By

Lisa McClain, Boise State UniversityFollow
Niamh Winters, Boise State University

Biography

This oral history captures the shared journey of Chelsea and Wendy Blanchard, a married lesbian couple, as they navigate life in Idaho and the broader Intermountain West. They reflect on their experiences of LGBTQ+ identity, community, and visibility in conservative spaces. The couple contrasts life in Idaho and Utah, discussing the challenges of growing up in deeply religious environments, the differing queer spaces in both states, and how community dynamics shape personal safety and political awareness. Their narrative highlights themes of resilience, intersectionality, and the importance of fostering inclusion within smaller, tight-knit communities.

Keywords

LGBTQ+, Pocatello, LDS/Mormon church, rural, activism, Idaho history, oral history, disability

Interview Date

11-3-2024

Files

Interview Duration

1:31:00

City

Pocatello, ID

Rights Management

This material is copyrighted by Special Collections and Archives, Boise State University

Disciplines

Gender and Sexuality | History of Gender | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies