Michael Bardsley was interviewed by Rae Aragon March 24 & 25, 2021 on the Zoom platform.

Narrator:

Michael Bardsley was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on September 29, 1949. He was raised by both his parents in Methuen, Massachusetts along with his brother and sister. Michael first arrived in the Valley in 1967 when he started his undergrad at UMass. By 1970, he was living in Northampton where the rent was cheap for students. He has been a part of the Northampton community ever since. His political involvement started in Northampton when progressive activists within the Massachusetts Democratic Party were challenging the incumbent conservative Governor Edward King and supporting former Governor Michael Dukakis. At the time, he was president of the Amherst-Pelham Teachers association and he later helped organize and recruit Dukakis supporters. He became active in the local Democratic party and was eventually elected as ward chair, president of the city’s Democratic party, and delegate to numerous state conventions. Michael was also co chair of Mary Ford’s campaign for election as Mayor of Northampton. He was also the first openly gay candidate to be elected to public office as County Commissioner in Northampton. His community involvement extends to Noho Pride as he served as a peacekeeper for about three years starting in 1984, served on the steering committee, and has served as emcee twice at the Pride Rally.

Abstract:

In this interview, Bardsley reflects on his life in the Valley and the various organizations he was involved in. Bardsley also discusses the kinds of experiences he had being the first openly gay man to be elected into the local office. He also spends time discussing his involvement in the Pride March starting in 1984 as a peacekeeper, later as a part of the steering committee, and as an emcee at the rallies.

Interviewer: Rae Aragon is a member of Smith College class of 2021. They are a double-major in Education and Study of Women and Gender.

Please note: this interview mentions child abuse and alcohol use.