Julie talks about researching lesbian-related subjects, particularly for the books Parker and Hulme: a lesbian view and Out Front: Lesbian Political Activity in Aotearoa 1962-1985.
Audio and Text Download mp3 Download HQ mp3Plain Text (for Gen AI)This podcast was funded by a generous grant from the 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames legacy fund.
Summary
In the interview with Julie Glamuzina by Gareth Watkins recorded on March 13, 2012, the key focus is on the creation, documentation, and recognition of lesbian feminist histories. Glamuzina emphasizes the importance of uncovering and preserving the history of LGBTQ+ communities, which often involves reinterpreting existing records that may have been understood or documented through a heteronormative perspective.
Glamuzina's background in history and her interest in research have prompted her to delve into significant events and individuals' lives through a lesbian feminist lens. Specifically, Glamuzina mentions her work on the Parker-Hume murder case, which was conducted alongside Alison Laurie. This research aimed to understand the case's impact on lesbians in New Zealand, considering the societal perception of the relationship between Juliet Hume and Pauline Parker as a lesbian one and examining the broader implications it had.
The discussion also covers other pioneers who recorded and archived LGBTQ+ histories, such as individuals who kept personal collections and artifacts and contributors to feminist magazines. Glamuzina underscores the challenges in gathering such historical information due to societal reluctance to acknowledge the existence of non-heteronormative individuals and relationships. She likens the process of historical research to detective work, highlighting the obstacles faced when trying to access private archives or interpreting subtle cues in documentation, such as reading between the lines to identify lesbian relationships in historical records.
Glamuzina further describes "Out Front", a booklet she compiled that chronicles key events within the lesbian community in New Zealand, with the purpose of inspiring others to expand upon this work and contribute to a growing repository of lesbian history. She emphasizes the active effort required to find and interpret sources when researching lesbian history, discussing various approaches including systematic research through official records, interviews, and a keen understanding of the language and insinuations used in past narratives.
Throughout the interview, Glamuzina remains conscious of the fact that history is constructed through the lens of the historian. As such, she advocates for diversity in perspectives and the inclusion of lesbian interpretive voices in historical narratives. She stresses the importance of knowing and acknowledging one's own background, biases, and motivations when conducting research.
Glamuzina touches upon the collaborative efforts and challenges faced when publishing such research, citing her personal experiences with publication, advocating for visibility, and sharing an anecdote about the reluctance to place the term "lesbian" on the cover of her book.
In summary, the interview with Julie Glamuzina sheds light on the intricate task of writing lesbian history, uncovers the limitations of access to resources and personal bias, and presents strategies for capturing and ensuring the legacy of LGBTQ+ stories within the larger historical context. Glamuzina also discusses the importance of recording, storing, and digitizing lesbian histories to safeguard them from erasure, underscoring the resilience of the communities to keep their history alive against the backdrop of sociopolitical resistance.
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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alison laurie, aotearoa new zealand, archives, asia pacific outgames (2011), broadsheet (magazine), christchurch, courts, crime, history, homophobia, julie glamuzina, juliet hulme, law, legacy, lesbian, library, out front: lesbian political activity in aotearoa 1962-1985 (journal), parker and hulme: a lesbian view (book), pauline parker, profile, research, wellington, writing
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