Zoe

The interview with Zoe, part of the "Butch on Butch" series, reveals insights into their life and experiences growing up, alongside reflections on identity, career, and personal interests. Raised initially in Lower Hutt and then Wellington after their parent came out, Zoe moved between New Zealand and Australia, embracing a nomadic lifestyle. Education at Clyde Quay School was followed by a short stint at Wellington East Girls' College, which was ill-suited to Zoe, leading to a transfer to Wellington High where a more open environment allowed for expression of their butch identity without judgment or bullying.

Zoe's journey into self-discovery started early with an affinity for clothing typically associated with boys and participating in activities seen as unconventional for their gender. They reflected on conflicts with teachers over attire and the freedom found at Wellington High to dress authentically. These experiences shaped Zoe's involvement in the "Butch on Butch" photo exhibition and their perspective on gender identity.

Post-school life saw Zoe taking on various jobs, including building work from a young age under the encouragement of their parent. Their career path was diverse, with forays into security work and support roles with IDEA Services, helping those with special needs. The pursuit of adventure and willingness to challenge oneself were central to Zoe's personal philosophy, as evidenced by a diverse array of interests ranging from construction to extreme sports.

Zoe's sporting interest led them to unique experiences such as sumo wrestling, where an impromptu decision resulted in participation in the World Combat Games in Russia. Even after a considerable effort to gain weight for the competition, the athletes faced in Russia proved too formidable, yet the experience remained memorable and humorously told. The interview encapsulates Zoe's approach to embracing new experiences, regardless of the challenge they present.

Further personal anecdotes highlighted Zoe's spontaneity: acquiring tattoos impulsively, engaging in activities like snowboarding to honor a role model's memory, and supporting the queer community in Wellington by frequenting events and working as a bouncer at a local bar. Zoe's social circles varied across different age groups and segments of the community, reflecting an inclusive approach to relationships and community engagement.

Zoe also spoke candidly about their family dynamics - split between time with their parent and stepfamily and occasionally with their grandparent, all the while navigating a queer identity within these differing contexts. Recollections of feeling supported by younger half-siblings and the mixture of humor and nonchalance regarding occasional confusion about their gender by family members illuminated the complexities and acceptance within their personal life.

The interview paints a portrait of someone deeply committed to living authentically, fostering a supportive queer community, and taking a bucket-list approach to life filled with aspirations for travel, extreme sports, and spontaneous acts of kindness.

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)

2010s, acceptance, aotearoa new zealand, australia, basketball, bouncer, bowls, brisbane, bucket list, building, bullying, bungy jumping, butch, butch on butch (exhibition/series), christchurch, clothing, clyde quay school, employment, friends, gender, gender identity, hospitality, idea services (ihc), identity, ivy bar and cabaret, jac lynch, lower hutt, military, new zealand army, new zealand defence force (nzdf), overseas experience (oe), parents, pay it forward, pets, relationships, rugby, russia, saint petersburg, siblings, single sex schools, snowboarding, special needs unit, sport, sumo wrestling, support, tomboy, transcript online, vinegar hill / putai ngahere domain, wellington, wellington east girls' college, wellington high school

abuse, army, attitude, audience, bars, board, california, career, change, class, coming out, coming up, community, competition, concerts, conservative, cricket, cuba, difference, eating, europe, events, exhibition, family, fear, fitness, food, fun, gay, god, growing up, hell, hit, internet, iran, job, ladies, laughter, library, love, motorbike, opportunity, other, pants, parties, people, plan, queenstown, queer, school, security, shoes, shorts, stereotypes, straight, strength, stress, struggle, stuff, submission, suit, surfing, survivor, tattoo, testing, time, top, tough, training, travel, vice, visa, walking, water, work