Miriam Saphira(March 2012)

The podcast "Creating Our Stories" showcases Miriam Saphira discussing the establishment of the Charlotte Museum Trust in Auckland, New Zealand. This institution is devoted to collecting, preserving, and displaying artifacts of lesbian culture in the country, with a particular focus on the 2000s decade. Saphira's background as a psychologist, artist, and activist, combined with a creative and solution-oriented approach, contributed to the museum's development. The idea for the museum sparked when Saphira realized there was no facility willing to accept and exhibit larger lesbian-related objects, such as a quilt made from t-shirts and a badge collection showcased at the outlines conference in Wellington. This led to the conceptualization of a dedicated space for preserving lesbian heritage.

The museum was named after two women, Charlotte, who were associated with Auckland's first lesbian club, KG Club, and it achieved registration as a charity despite some initial legal hurdles. Encouraging community involvement and ownership, the museum seeks to be an educational resource, particularly for younger generations, aiming to foster a sense of pride and identity by connecting them with their history and heritage. Saphira emphasizes the importance of the museum's focus on lesbian culture, highlighting how mainstream institutions often overlooked or omitted lesbian contributions from New Zealand's historical narrative.

Saphira's commitment to the project is evident in their efforts to personally collect relevant items, which range from activist badges to art and other significant cultural objects. The museum, therefore, not only acts as a guardian of these artifacts but also as an educational institution, exploring themes such as the impact of World War II on lesbians, the role of lesbians in theater and music, and the historical exclusion of lesbians from certain professions.

The interview also touches on the practical considerations of running a museum, such as fundraising, cataloging, designing exhibitions, and managing volunteers. Saphira highlights the critical need for good governance and policies that ensure proper care of the collections and respect for donators' wishes. The museum relies on community support, evident from various donations over the years, and fosters active engagement through events ranging from historical seminars to cultural workshops.

In closing, Saphira shares insights into the future of the museum and its potential challenges, noting the importance of adaptability and maintaining a sense of purpose – to serve as a repository for lesbian history and culture and to provide an inclusive space for community education and connection. They underscores the institution's responsibility to future generations and its role in combating ongoing issues like homophobia and inequality. Saphira remains optimistic that despite its fluctuations, the museum will continue to be an important cultural and communal resource.

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.

Miriam Saphira

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