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Could you tell me your name? I'm Lex Davis, and you're involved with a, um, a union. A trade union? That's right. Yeah. Um, I'm a secondary school teacher, so I'm involved with the New Zealand PPD A. And they have a rainbow task force, which is part of the safe school for Queer Network. You were mentioning the diversity here just before it's Yeah, it's incredible. Um, so many times you hear the word diversity, but I mean to [00:00:30] to look at the auditorium to look at the workshops. Even there's an incredible range of people. Um, it's it's it's been amazing, actually, uh, it's been very moving just because I know I know these things are about telling our stories and and our journeys, but, uh, from from the keynote speakers right through to the workshops, that's that's so that come so powerfully through the the narratives, Um, [00:01:00] just to share them and to to, you know, to express them. For some people, even just to say it out loud, I mean is would be forbidden from where they come from. So their act of being here is so poli political in itself that it's it's all inspiring what's been your journey? What brought you to an almost an unlikely place? Our human rights conference? It's not on many people's beaten track, is it? No. [00:01:30] No, it's, um II. I feel very, very privileged that, uh, as part of a country, I'm very proud to be a New Zealander at this conference. Um, but part of a country and and of of a trade union that really supports, uh, queer people. Um I mean, and first of all, there's, you know, the extending of of hands of help to say, Well, you know, you're not You're not, uh, you're not the only gay teacher as [00:02:00] I know, but I mean to network with others and to to be proud of it and and try and help others. Um, I've caught up with people from Australian teacher unions as well, so I mean, it's it's really powerful. And then, pat, it's a my identity is, you know, as as someone who's queer and someone who's a teacher. Um, the learning stream has been particularly positive for that. [00:02:30] Is there any one thing that's been astounding? It sounds all pretty good. Astounding thing for me is that people can stand in front of strangers, ostensibly people they've never met before. And they share such personal journeys. Uh, there's no pretence. There's no there's no wars. There's no hesitation. Um, for example, um, [00:03:00] who was the Aboriginal lady today? She was, uh I mean, it's raw, it's complete raw experiences, and it's privileged that there is that level of trust. I don't think you'll find that there are many conferences. There's real intimacy, Uh, and yeah, and it comes from a shared, shared hardship. Or, you know, um, I guess part of that is part of that sharing is is the [00:03:30] the healing and the and sharing the burden as well. And, I mean, I feel very privileged to be able to be part of that. What would you take away? Is there an agenda for you about teaching, for instance? Um, I think as an educator is, um, there is an obligation, uh, to, especially in terms of visibility, I think a lot of the learning stream [00:04:00] it has been about talking about journey and visibility. And I think, as you know, as a single person, you know, I can make the biggest difference by being visible, and that's before anything else that you know, it's bubbling in my head about creating more networks or creating groups. I think that's the the easiest thing for me to do. And personally, that's some. Perhaps your work is personal [00:04:30] as well. Is there anything that's purely to do with yourself that you'll take away that you'll want to see to do? Um, I'm of European and Maori Um, descent, Um, and personally, I would, I mean to the the The term is is very powerful. Um, because that is we are all [00:05:00] have a multiplicity of identities and belonging, but it is particularly relevant for me. I feel very strongly about, uh, Maori and to our Maori, the world of So that, personally is is going to be part of my journey is to, you know, get more involved with groups back in Auckland. Yeah.
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