
A documentary film from The Eugene Lesbian History Project
The hundreds of lesbians who migrated to Eugene, Oregon from the 1960’s-80’s agreed on one thing: everything was going to be different.
Synopsis
Outliers and Outlaws uncovers the history of a large and vibrant lesbian community in Eugene, Oregon. Women who migrated to this small town in the 1960s-90s candidly share stories about the power of courageous and creative world-building. Intimate portraits–both then and now–model living in hard times with hope, humor, and commitment to social change. Narrated by musician Jody Bleyle (Team Dresch and Hazel). Outliers includes a rich archive of images documenting this groundbreaking community. Featured songs: “Song of the Soul” by Cris Williamson, “Ode to a Gym Teacher” by Meg Christian, and a little known ode “Eugene, Oregon” by Dolly Parton accompany this previously untold story.
Screenings & Events
Upcoming

March 27, 2025
Lesbian Looks
Marroney Theatre on the University of Arizona Campus | 7pm
Screening
Filmmakers will be on hand.
ADMISSION IS FREE.

March 30, 2025
Salem Cinema
Single Showing

May 23-25, 2025
Cinema Sisters Film Festival
Maiden Alley Cinema
112 Maiden Alley, Paducha, KY
Screening - Kentucky Premiere
Filmmakers will be on hand.

April 24, 2025
Portland State University
Lincoln Hall 75 | 4pm
Screening
Filmmakers will be on hand.
ADMISSION IS FREE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
Past

February 28, March 1, March 2, 3, 5, 2025
Art House
492 E 13th Ave, Eugene, OR
Multiple Showings
Filmmakers and participants on hand at select screenings TBD.
MORE DATES ADDED! TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!

February 2, 2025
University of Oregon
Straub Hall 156 | 2pm
Screening - Eugene Premiere
Filmmakers and participants will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening.
ADMISSION IS FREE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.

December 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23
Cinema 21
616 NW 21st Avenue Portland
Multiple Showings
MORE DATES ADDED! TICKETS AVAILABLE!

November 16, 2024
QDoc: Portland Queer Documentary Festival
The Hollywood Theater | 12:00pm
Screening - World Premiere
Filmmakers and participants will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening.
ADVANCE TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT!
Unclaimed seats will be sold to those waiting in the rush line 15 minutes before showtime.
Our Crew

Judith Raiskin
Producer
Judith Raiskin (she/they) co-created The Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project, a multi-platform public history project about the community of lesbians in Eugene, Oregon from the 1960s-90s. From 83 oral history interviews and a robust archival collection, Professor Raiskin co-created an interactive digital exhibit and a physical museum exhibit which was installed for a year at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Eugene. The exhibit included a lecture series and guided walking tours of the town and its lesbian history, and will next be installed at the Oregon Jewish Museum. As a Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Oregon, Judith teaches courses in the fields of disability studies, LGBTQ history and culture, literature, and archival research. They are the faculty director of the LGBTQ+ Scholars Residential Academic Community, a unique community and service to LGBTQ+ students on the University of Oregon campus which she helped found. Professor Raiskin has received numerous awards for her work related to The Eugene Lesbian History Project including grants from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Courtney Hermann
Director | Cinematographer
Courtney Hermann (she/they) is a documentary filmmaker with decades of experience directing, producing, and shooting short and feature-length documentary films. Courtney is co-author of the 7th edition of the foundational textbook Directing the Documentary (2020) with Michael Rabiger and an Associate Professor of Film at Portland State University. Courtney’s feature documentaries include Standing Silent Nation (nationally broadcast on POV/PBS, programmed at the Smithsonian Institution); Exotic World and the Burlesque Revival (selected for dOCUMENTA 15, featured daily at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum); and Crying Earth Rise Up (broadcast on PBS stations nationally). Courtney’s many short films include There’s Heart Here (featured at United States Conference on AIDS and at the World Professional Association for Transgender Health conference) and Burton Before and After. www.boxcarassembly.com

Kerribeth Elliott
Editor | Sound Recordist
Kerribeth Elliott (she/her) is an editor and production support specialist on documentary films and non-fiction media. She co-founded Boxcar Assembly, a non-fiction media company in Portland, Oregon with Director and partner Courtney Hermann. Kerribeth won a regional Emmy Award for her editing on the “Elk Hunt” episode of the reality show “Adrenaline Hunter.” She collaborates on most films directed by Courtney Hermann through their company. Kerribeth edited the feature documentary Exotic World and the Burlesque Revival, the short documentary Burton Before and After among dozens of other long and short form non-fiction works. Her work on Outliers and Outlaws includes editing film footage and photographs, and organizing/maintaining records tracking the hundreds of archival elements included in the film. www.boxcarassembly.com

G Chesler
Producer of Impact, Marketing and Distribution
G. Chesler (they/them) is a seasoned Director and Producer of fifteen LGBTQIA+ and racial justice-themed documentary and fiction films. Their new feature documentary Connection | Isolation on trans lives during COVID-19 (2024) is supported by the Portland Events and Film Office and Regional Arts and Culture Council. G. is a PGA Create Fellow for the feature documentary Intersex Justice, funded in part by ITVS and directed by Aubree Bernier-Clarke, on an intersex activist and their healing journey. They are Producer of Impact, Outreach and Distribution for Outliers and Outlaws. G. Produced the documentary feature Out in the Night that premiered on POV and Logo and launched the United Nations’ Free+Equal campaign combatting homophobia and transphobia worldwide. They are a Professor of Film and Gender Studies at George Mason University and teach remotely where they live and create in Portland, Oregon. www.g6pictures.com

Kaci Smith
Motion Designer
Kaci Smith (she/her) is a Motion Designer and School of Motion TA based in Eugene, Oregon. Working in motion design for over 10 years, Kaci is inspired by her environment and is passionate about cause-based projects that drive positive change. As a co-founder of Mothers of Mograph, Kaci is committed to empowering women and promoting empathy in the workspace. www.thekacismith.com

Ty Feague
Colorist
Ty Feague (he/him) is a documentary & commercial editor based in Vancouver, WA. He was taught by Outliers and Outlaws Director, Courtney Hermann, at Portland State University. With a focus on retelling patient stories, his work was awarded a Gold Addy by the American Advertising Awards in 2023. Ty also directed and edited Mario Andretti: Racing Royalty (programmed at World of Speed Motorsports Museum) as well as filmed and edited Melissa for David Greco and the Northwest Sound. He is the colorist on Outliers and Outlaws. www.tyfeague.com
Outliers and Outlaws Merch
Click on a product to browse items and purchase.
Designs and illustrated elements are by Kaci Smith and our friends at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Photos are by Rakar West and an unknown photographer of the Eugene lesbian community.
Special Acknowledgements
Gratitude for Photographers
This film would not be possible without the photographers who had the foresight to document Eugene’s lesbian community.
We are forever grateful to the documentary participants and the amateur and professional photographers both unknown and named here, whose work is included in this film:
Janice Baker
Kaucyila Brooke (kaucyilabrooke.com)
Gladys Campbell
Susan Detroy (susandetroy.com)
Meadow Muska (meadowmuskaphotography.com)
Rakar West
Gratitude for Supporters
This project is supported by the Oregon Cultural Trust.
Outliers and Outlaws is funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
Major support provided by the University of Oregon.
Thank you to all of our individual donors.



Eugene Lesbian History Project
This documentary is part of the Eugene Lesbian History Project and includes an oral history archive, digital exhibit, museum exhbit and more.
To learn about this public history project, please visit the project website.

Support the Project!
Tax-deductible donations to support the distribution of Outliers and Outlaws can be made through the Women’s Studies Fund at the University of Oregon.