Kim Smith, 2016

File — Box: 2, Folder: 6

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Kim Smith grew up in Bountiful, Utah, in a small LDS community. Smith talks about her family and describes growing up as a member of the LDS church in Bountiful. She talks about dating and tells the story of meeting and marrying her husband, Steve. Kim and Steve had two children. Smith characterizes her marriage and talks about the religious and spiritual elements that influenced her relationship with Steve. Eventually, Steve became sick and was diagnosed with HIV. Smith talks about coping with this news and deciding with Steve what they should do as a family. Smith, too, was diagnosed with HIV. Though she was also sick, Smith stayed with her husband and cared for him until he died. She talks about caring for Steve and for her two children, as well as having to reveal their status and Steve’s homosexuality to her family and her community. Smith lived to see the development of HIV treatment cocktails and so survived the epidemic. She talks about the evolution of her treatment and the effects treatments have had on her. Smith also spends time talking about Steve and his life as a closeted gay man in the LDS Church. She describes the conflicted feelings of anger and love she felt and still feels for Steve. Smith also talks about her process of reconciling her faith with what happened to her family.
Interviewed by Elizabeth Clement.

Dates

2016

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.