Interview with Kate Abruzzino
Dublin Core
Title
Interview with Kate Abruzzino
Subject
Civil rights; Gay rights; Diversity in the workplace; Community organization
Description
This interview takes place with Kate Abruzzino. Kate Abruzzino is part of the leadership team and one of the founding members of Wayne County's LGBT+ support group, Prism. Topics include the creation and aims of the group and inter-community connections.
Creator
Lang, Abigail
Abruzzino, Kate
Publisher
Unpublished
Date
2018-11-27
Contributor
College of Wooster Libraries, Feminist Pedagogy in Action
Rights
Format
Mp3
Language
eng
Type
Sound
Identifier
Kate Abruzzino Interview. mp3
Coverage
College of Wooster; Wooster, Ohio; Wayne County, Ohio; Richland County, Ohio; Medina, Ohio; Westfield Center, Ohio; Holmes County, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Interviewer
Abigail Lang
Interviewee
Kate Abruzzino
Location
College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio
Transcription
Kate Abruzzino Interview
Edited by Abigail Lang for clarity
[00:00:00] Abigail Lang: Hello this is Abigail Lang and I am here today on November 27th, 201[8] with Kate Abruzzino. Hello.
[00:00:12] Kate Abruzzino: Hi.
[00:00:13] AL: Would you tell us what local organization you are a part of?
[00:00:17] KA: I am part of the Prism of Wayne County support group. It’s a support and community networking for [the] LGBTQIA community.
[00:00:31] AL: And could you tell me about the organization and what it does?
[00:00:36] KC: Well, we are a local group. We’re not a non-profit, we don’t have any particular status. We haven’t, you know, applied for any status as far as 501c3 or anything like that. We’re grassroots, started with local community members that just were really hoping to rebuild community and have a place where people could come and make friends and connections and have a time to gather together. Cause we used to have that here in Wayne County back in 80s and 90s and then it kindof fell apart. And at that time it was mostly kindof like a partying group that would get together for like drinking and socializing, but a lot of alcohol involved and we were really hoping to have a space that was alcohol-free. So that was part of it as well.
[00:01:34] AL: And what is your role within the organization?
[00:01:37] KA: So I am part of the leadership team. We have five leadership members that help plan out events and organize get-togethers and run our Facebook page and so I am one of them and I am one of the original organizers of the group.
[00:01:57] AL: Kay, and you spoke a little bit about this but, could you tell me more about the history of the organization?
[00:02:02] KA: Sure. We started planning this group back in June of 2016 and thinking about what we wanted to do with it and then we had our first meeting shortly after that and started having it every month and we were originally at Local Roots in Wooster and then we outgrew that space and so now since March I believe, February or March 2018, we’ve been at the St. James Episcopal Church. They’ve opened a space for us so that’s been really great.
[00:02:44] AL: And has your organization ever worked with groups on the-- at the College of Wooster? What projects and how did the collaborations go?
[00:02:53] KA: We have not worked with the college of Wooster… extensively, but what we have done is come over for the events that welcome students back to campus and come and talk about our support group and that’s the extent of it really at this point. Some of our members have come over to try to support activities and events like the Pride that happens at the campus, to be there and be present.
[00:03:24] AL: And I know you were present at the opening of the college’s Queer Space room, at the information session.
[00:03:30] KA: Yeah, we were.
[00:03:34] AL: But, has the organization collaborated with any other local organizations?
[00:03:40] KA: We are connected with other support groups and one of those is in… Richland County and so we do some connecting with them and support their Pride that happens in Richland County. And then Out Support in Medina. We connect with them and share resources. And then also there was a support group, that’s since kindof fallen apart, but in Westfield Center. And so we’ve tried to collaborate with other small support groups, you know, in other counties and they’re all very rural, so it’s been great connecting.
[00:04:22] AL: And presently does the organization have a working relationship with any other local organizations?
[00:04:29] KA: Well, we do sortof accidentally because I actually work for OneEighty, which is our local domestic violence/rape crisis [center]. And so part of my work in that professional role is doing outreach to underserved populations. So, often, you know, we are working on projects together, because of my work.
[00:04:54] AL: And does the organization have any upcoming events?
[00:04:59] KA: We have the regular meeting every month and so our next one is actually coming up in December. It’s always the first Wednesday of every month. We hold them at 6 o’clock where, you know, people kindof get together at 6 and socialize a little bit. At 6, its really 6:15. And then at 6:30 the meeting actually starts. So our next one is for the holiday times. A lot of folks don’t have family so we all get together. We do a carry-in and we have a white elephant gift exchange. So that’s our next one.
[00:05:35] AL: And would Prism like to be involved with any other local organizations or the college in the future? In particular initiatives in mind?
[00:05:44] KA: Well, we would be very interested in connecting with the college. One thing that we’ve talked about is that a lot of community members from like Wayne County and Holmes County-- a lot of our community members really aren’t, you know, up on the latest terminology, you know? They’re really struggling because we have all different ages, all different identities. We have people that are struggling with like, just the glossary terms, the basics of our own, you know, community. So, [an] education aspect I think would be really important for our support group. But then we’re very interested-- many of our members are interested in being part of maybe a panel to help educate professionals around Wayne County. We see a huge issue if law enforcement’s involved or, you know, medical staff trying to help people, especially folks that are transgender. We feel like it’d be very important to come together for something like that, a collaboration.
[00:07:01] AL: And I know this is Prism’s… Prism is LGBT friendly in goal, but are there any ways in which Prism uses queer of feminist perspectives in its efforts or other ways to support the LGBT+ community?
[00:07:19] KA: Hopefully in all efforts. (laughs) I feel like we’re just constantly educating ourselves because again we do come from very different backgrounds, so, you know, we try to be openminded and careful when we connect with others. But, you know, we always just keep learning. Yeah.
[00:07:45] AL: How does Prism make an impact in the greater Wooster community?
[00:07:51] KA: Man, I-- what’s been really wonderful is that we do have the Facebook presence, we don’t have a website, but each month we, I guess I didn’t mention this, but each month we do help distribute the Prizm with a ’z’, the magazine that comes from Columbus. So each month we help distribute that magazine. We get 300 to share with community members her in Wayne County and we try to get them out to other counties, surrounding counties, and that’s been really great because as our members go around and deliver these magazines, even the folks that don’t choose or aren’t able to come to our meetings, they just talk about how just having the group has made a huge impact for them and they get a lot of support from the other members on Facebook. We have a private forum where people-- where the members can like talk to each other and so the general public can’t see that, unless they’re, you know, a member. So that’s been great, people being able to give each other support, especially right now in the political climate it’s been really wonderful.
[00:09:07] AL: And what are some of the obstacles or challenges that Prism is currently facing?
[00:09:13] KA: I feel like challenges [are] just basically how to get the word out. You know, we try to get information out to community members, but since we have a very broken community here, we have little pockets of supportive places in Wayne County, but you know, what we know is there is alot of community members, but they’re not all connected in the LGBTQ community. So constantly we’re finding new people that just had no idea we exist. So, you know, its just the effort of connecting with professionals that might be able to help spread the word or figuring out ways to get the message out.
[00:09:59] AL: And finally, is there anything else you would like to mention?
[00:10:03] KA: Hmm… really couldn’t think of anything extra things… It’s just, you know, what, what our support group has realized is just how important it is for people in our particular community to have the support, have the camaraderie and have a way to meet others that are also, you know, struggling and so it’s been really great. Yeah, so.
[00:10:37] AL: Alright, thank you for coming.
[00:10:40] KA: You’re welcome.
Edited by Abigail Lang for clarity
[00:00:00] Abigail Lang: Hello this is Abigail Lang and I am here today on November 27th, 201[8] with Kate Abruzzino. Hello.
[00:00:12] Kate Abruzzino: Hi.
[00:00:13] AL: Would you tell us what local organization you are a part of?
[00:00:17] KA: I am part of the Prism of Wayne County support group. It’s a support and community networking for [the] LGBTQIA community.
[00:00:31] AL: And could you tell me about the organization and what it does?
[00:00:36] KC: Well, we are a local group. We’re not a non-profit, we don’t have any particular status. We haven’t, you know, applied for any status as far as 501c3 or anything like that. We’re grassroots, started with local community members that just were really hoping to rebuild community and have a place where people could come and make friends and connections and have a time to gather together. Cause we used to have that here in Wayne County back in 80s and 90s and then it kindof fell apart. And at that time it was mostly kindof like a partying group that would get together for like drinking and socializing, but a lot of alcohol involved and we were really hoping to have a space that was alcohol-free. So that was part of it as well.
[00:01:34] AL: And what is your role within the organization?
[00:01:37] KA: So I am part of the leadership team. We have five leadership members that help plan out events and organize get-togethers and run our Facebook page and so I am one of them and I am one of the original organizers of the group.
[00:01:57] AL: Kay, and you spoke a little bit about this but, could you tell me more about the history of the organization?
[00:02:02] KA: Sure. We started planning this group back in June of 2016 and thinking about what we wanted to do with it and then we had our first meeting shortly after that and started having it every month and we were originally at Local Roots in Wooster and then we outgrew that space and so now since March I believe, February or March 2018, we’ve been at the St. James Episcopal Church. They’ve opened a space for us so that’s been really great.
[00:02:44] AL: And has your organization ever worked with groups on the-- at the College of Wooster? What projects and how did the collaborations go?
[00:02:53] KA: We have not worked with the college of Wooster… extensively, but what we have done is come over for the events that welcome students back to campus and come and talk about our support group and that’s the extent of it really at this point. Some of our members have come over to try to support activities and events like the Pride that happens at the campus, to be there and be present.
[00:03:24] AL: And I know you were present at the opening of the college’s Queer Space room, at the information session.
[00:03:30] KA: Yeah, we were.
[00:03:34] AL: But, has the organization collaborated with any other local organizations?
[00:03:40] KA: We are connected with other support groups and one of those is in… Richland County and so we do some connecting with them and support their Pride that happens in Richland County. And then Out Support in Medina. We connect with them and share resources. And then also there was a support group, that’s since kindof fallen apart, but in Westfield Center. And so we’ve tried to collaborate with other small support groups, you know, in other counties and they’re all very rural, so it’s been great connecting.
[00:04:22] AL: And presently does the organization have a working relationship with any other local organizations?
[00:04:29] KA: Well, we do sortof accidentally because I actually work for OneEighty, which is our local domestic violence/rape crisis [center]. And so part of my work in that professional role is doing outreach to underserved populations. So, often, you know, we are working on projects together, because of my work.
[00:04:54] AL: And does the organization have any upcoming events?
[00:04:59] KA: We have the regular meeting every month and so our next one is actually coming up in December. It’s always the first Wednesday of every month. We hold them at 6 o’clock where, you know, people kindof get together at 6 and socialize a little bit. At 6, its really 6:15. And then at 6:30 the meeting actually starts. So our next one is for the holiday times. A lot of folks don’t have family so we all get together. We do a carry-in and we have a white elephant gift exchange. So that’s our next one.
[00:05:35] AL: And would Prism like to be involved with any other local organizations or the college in the future? In particular initiatives in mind?
[00:05:44] KA: Well, we would be very interested in connecting with the college. One thing that we’ve talked about is that a lot of community members from like Wayne County and Holmes County-- a lot of our community members really aren’t, you know, up on the latest terminology, you know? They’re really struggling because we have all different ages, all different identities. We have people that are struggling with like, just the glossary terms, the basics of our own, you know, community. So, [an] education aspect I think would be really important for our support group. But then we’re very interested-- many of our members are interested in being part of maybe a panel to help educate professionals around Wayne County. We see a huge issue if law enforcement’s involved or, you know, medical staff trying to help people, especially folks that are transgender. We feel like it’d be very important to come together for something like that, a collaboration.
[00:07:01] AL: And I know this is Prism’s… Prism is LGBT friendly in goal, but are there any ways in which Prism uses queer of feminist perspectives in its efforts or other ways to support the LGBT+ community?
[00:07:19] KA: Hopefully in all efforts. (laughs) I feel like we’re just constantly educating ourselves because again we do come from very different backgrounds, so, you know, we try to be openminded and careful when we connect with others. But, you know, we always just keep learning. Yeah.
[00:07:45] AL: How does Prism make an impact in the greater Wooster community?
[00:07:51] KA: Man, I-- what’s been really wonderful is that we do have the Facebook presence, we don’t have a website, but each month we, I guess I didn’t mention this, but each month we do help distribute the Prizm with a ’z’, the magazine that comes from Columbus. So each month we help distribute that magazine. We get 300 to share with community members her in Wayne County and we try to get them out to other counties, surrounding counties, and that’s been really great because as our members go around and deliver these magazines, even the folks that don’t choose or aren’t able to come to our meetings, they just talk about how just having the group has made a huge impact for them and they get a lot of support from the other members on Facebook. We have a private forum where people-- where the members can like talk to each other and so the general public can’t see that, unless they’re, you know, a member. So that’s been great, people being able to give each other support, especially right now in the political climate it’s been really wonderful.
[00:09:07] AL: And what are some of the obstacles or challenges that Prism is currently facing?
[00:09:13] KA: I feel like challenges [are] just basically how to get the word out. You know, we try to get information out to community members, but since we have a very broken community here, we have little pockets of supportive places in Wayne County, but you know, what we know is there is alot of community members, but they’re not all connected in the LGBTQ community. So constantly we’re finding new people that just had no idea we exist. So, you know, its just the effort of connecting with professionals that might be able to help spread the word or figuring out ways to get the message out.
[00:09:59] AL: And finally, is there anything else you would like to mention?
[00:10:03] KA: Hmm… really couldn’t think of anything extra things… It’s just, you know, what, what our support group has realized is just how important it is for people in our particular community to have the support, have the camaraderie and have a way to meet others that are also, you know, struggling and so it’s been really great. Yeah, so.
[00:10:37] AL: Alright, thank you for coming.
[00:10:40] KA: You’re welcome.
Duration
00:10:41
Files
Collection
Citation
Lang, Abigail and Abruzzino, Kate, “Interview with Kate Abruzzino,” WGSS at Wooster: Past, Present, and Future , accessed May 7, 2024, https://woosterdigital.org/wgssatwoo/items/show/136.