In this podcast Huhana Hickey from New Zealand talks about attending the human rights conference.
Summary
In the podcast recorded at Wellington Town Hall, Huhana Hickey discusses their involvement and presentation at a Human Rights Commission conference. The focus of the conference was on the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identities, emphasizing the importance of recognizing multiple facets of identity and the unique experiences of disabled individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. Hickey underscored the prevalence of discrimination against those with disabilities, which is further compounded by additional layers of bias if one is also transgender.
Hickey highlighted the conference topics which covered access to healthcare, challenges associated with transgender identity, and the drive to remove the pathologization of these identities. The conversation with the delegates led to discussions surrounding the concept of uniqueness versus normalcy, arguing for a celebration of individual differences rather than a narrow focus on diversity.
The podcast delves into the issues of accessibility and inclusion, noting that environments are disabling in the absence of accommodations, such as the lack of practical access to certain locations and sign language interpreters for the deaf LGBTQ+ community. Hickey emphasized the importance of creating truly inclusive spaces rather than just the appearance of inclusivity. They critiqued tokenism and pointed out the often unintentional exclusion of various groups, such as disabled individuals, within community narratives and events.
The accessibility challenges faced by the disabled in attending conferences were discussed, such as financial constraints and inadequate public transport. Suggestions included providing scholarships to marginalized groups and engaging more youth for diverse perspectives.
Looking towards the future, Hickey wished for a society wherein people would listen and learn, emphasizing the aspiration that the struggles and exclusions discussed become antiquated. The hope was expressed that 30 years on, the need to address these issues would be a thing of the past, and there would be laughter at the thought of how outdated the practices were.
In conclusion, Hickey urges the community to actively work towards change, to embrace all members, and to build a society that does not merely tolerate, but celebrates, every individual.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
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