Cathie

In this podcast episode titled "Cathie - Butch on Butch", recorded in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, the interviewee Cathie discusses the unique experience of being queer in the legal arena and the world of stand-up comedy. The conversation, led by Jac Lynch, takes listeners through a journey from the 1990s to the 2010s, underlining key aspects of Cathie's personal and professional life.

Cathie recollects their upbringing in Lower Hutt with a traditional nuclear family, recounting a childhood as a self-described tomboy—a trait that was somewhat at odds with their parents' expectations but not heavily repressed. At school, Cathie found freedom in drama and connected with diverse groups, without any overt awareness or exploration of their queer identity during the early years.

Upon attending Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, Cathie immersed themselves in the drama club and discovered a passion for making people laugh, particularly through involvement in the capping revue. Simultaneously, they pursued a dual track of education in theatre and film, and law— a balance between their interests and parental guidance towards a more secure profession. Cathie fondly reflects on this period as formative, with extracurricular engagements providing them with the skills that ultimately paved the way to employability more so than the academic study itself.

Delving into their family background, it is revealed that law runs deep in their lineage, with figures like Baron Cooke of Thorndon being among the distinguished relatives. Notably, Cathie transitioned from witnessing legal debates at home to navigating this profession as a queer individual.

As a legal professional, Cathie worked extensively within the legal aid system, appreciating the performative facets of courtroom advocacy. Their account captures the shift in courtroom attire norms over time, transitioning from a strict dress code—particularly challenging for queer individuals—to a somewhat relaxed atmosphere that became more accommodating. However, subtle societal pressures and the courthouse's intrinsic formality persisted, reflective of the legal profession's efforts to distinguish itself and instill a sense of gravity and decorum in legal proceedings.

Cathie's account takes a hard look at the lack of visible queer representation and support within the legal community, an area that would benefit from more organized networks akin to those that exist for other underrepresented groups. Despite the progress in the broader recognition of diversity, queer support within the legal profession appears surprisingly absent and an area ripe for Cathie's advocacy.

Furthermore, the interview illuminates Cathie's significant involvement in comedy—a risky and visceral art form that offers an incomparable high when successful. Cathie shares experiences standing out as a woman and lesbian in comedy, dissecting the additional challenges posed by such intersectionality in a field dominated by gender and sexuality biases. They discuss the role of characters and performance, solidifying their identity within the realm of entertainment while emphasizing the personal significance of showcasing authenticity, distinct from the caricatures often presented onstage.

The conversation ends with Cathie's reflections on their participation in the "Butch on Butch" exhibition, a project that, despite their introverted nature, allowed them to publicize an intimate aspect of their identity and contribute to the celebration and visibility of queer experiences.

This podcast session reflects an intricate fusion of personal anecdotes and social commentary, delivered through the perspective of a person navigating societal norms, professional expectations, and self-expression in a world that is slowly, yet inconsistently, recognizing diversity in all its forms. The recording stands out not just for its rich narrative but also for shining a light on the particular cultural and historic context of New Zealand's queer community.

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.

unidentified voice(s)

1990s, 2000s, 2010s, aotearoa new zealand, ballet, baron cooke of thorndon, butch, butch on butch (exhibition/series), capping revue, clothing, comedy, drag, drag kings, drama, eastern hutt school, employment, family, fat, film, friends, hutt intermediate school, hutt valley high school, jac lynch, laughter, law, lawyer, legal aid, lesbian, lower hutt, new zealand law society, pants, performance, queer, salient (magazine), school, siblings, small business, standup comedy, support, te herenga waka - victoria university of wellington, the drag kings (wellington), theatre, theatre sports, tomboy, uniform, university, urzila carlson, wellington

advice, audience, baptism, bear, bouncer, boundaries, capital, code, culture, dance, diversity, drugs, exhibition, expression, family court, fire, fun, god, growing up, hat, hit, hope, internet, job, knowledge, library, listening, mistakes, narrative, normal, other, parents, people, primary school, reading, review, sad, shoes, shopping, skirt, straight, strength, structure, study, stuff, suit, time, top, torture, women, work, writing