Elaine Snavely and River LeFae

Elaine Snavely and River LeFae

Recorded July 23, 2025 54:34 minutes
Elaine Snavely and River LeFae
0:00 / 0:00
Id: osv000901

Description

One Small Step partners Elaine Snavely (55) and River LeFae (26) talk about how scars and surgeries have affected them, the influence of their parents, their views of the current state of politics, and what patriotism means to them.

Subject Log / Time Code

2:00
Elaine Snavely and River LeFae talk about why they wanted to participate in One Small Step.
6:30
River thanks Elaine for her military service.
8:00
Elaine shares her first impression of River, that no one should be kicked out at 18. In reaction to River being a hermaphrodite, River’s father used religion and medication to try to change them.
13:58
River shares her first impression of Elaine, that Elaine was very “by the book.” Elaine feels she has two personalities: regimented and relaxed.
18:26
Elaine describes growing up with a single mother. She joined the Navy at 19 and has many military family members across different branches.
23:15
Elaine shares influential moments. Witnessing the country’s support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm inspired Elaine to join the military. She reflects upon being severely injured in a Hum-V rollover in 2007 and how this changed her.
26:24
River talks about major influences. Their parents instilled work life skills in them. When River was kicked out, they realized independence. River recalls a time of alcohol abuse, self-harm and suicide attempts.
32:45
River talks about their gender identity and decisions made on their behalf before they could give consent.
38:02
Elaine talks about scars she has.
40:28
They talk about cooking and food.
43:11
Elaine feels patriotism is upholding the oath she took as a military no matter whether she agrees with who is in the White House. They agree in upholding The Constitution.
46:23
River hopes we abolish the two party system. Elaine hopes we can modify it to something better. They disagree about Trump.
50:53
They acknowledge their different views and recognize each other’s humanity.

Participants

  • Elaine Snavely
  • River LeFae

Venue / Recording Kit

Partnership

Partnership Type

Outreach

Initiatives