Gregg Brafford was a 66-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in his home in Belmont, North Carolina. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1956. He graduated with a BS in Business from UNC Charlotte. He was employed as a salesman and as a manager, part owner, and owner of several bars in Charlotte including Oleens, the New Brass Rail, Central Station, and the Woodshed.
In this third of three interviews, Gregg Brafford, who managed and owned several LGBTQ+ bars in Charlotte, North Carolina, including Oleens, the New Brass Rail, Central Station, and the Woodshed, discusses the impact of the HIV AIDS virus on the local LGBTQ population during the 1980s and 1990s, his personal experience of loss, AIDS fundraising in the LGBTQ community, individuals affected by the disease, and AIDS care. [All times are approximate] [00:00] Following introductions Mr. Brafford relates his first experience of HIV AIDS locally and the reactions of fear, panic, and denial within the LGBTQ community. He talks about particular people who were early victims of the disease, including Lynn Cantrell, Jackie Carell, Mark Mather, and drag queens Toni Lenoir, Grand Prix, and Margo. [08:50] He discusses the role of the Carolinas Medical Center [later renamed Atrium Health], and how they generously flew AIDS patient Don Potter home to Kentucky to die. He notes other medical establishments who refused to treat AIDS patients. [14:42] He relates the escalating number of funerals he attended for a decade, including forty of his employees and countless friends and customers. [16:10] Mr. Brafford describes various fundraising endeavors that he was involved with, in particular the annual Carnival of Hope, a series of drag shows that were instigated by drag queens at Oleens. He recalls other AIDS fundraisers in Charlotte, including the Carolina Celebration, the Metrolina AIDS Project (MAP)'s Guess Who's Coming to Dinner event, and the Tulip Party that was held for several years in a private home with extensive gardens. [22:50] He elaborates on the essential services that MAP provided to people with AIDS, and how AIDS brought LGBTQ people together and broke down barriers between LGBTQ and straight communities. [24:45] He describes his connection to the House of Mercy which was run for AIDS sufferers by the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, North Carolina. He also relates how the Tradesmen organization supported the nun's mission. [31:55] Mr. Brafford concludes the interview with reflections on the political climate for LGBTQ people at the time of the interview.
