Audio from the session: Dangerous Desires.
In the past, LGBTQI readers had to search for sexual information in often blatantly homophobic texts: yet so deep was the need that readers found a LGBTQI presence in the strangest and often the funniest places. Authors and notables share the pitfalls and pratfalls on their journey to self-knowledge. The session is chaired by Verity George.
A special thank you to the organisers and participants for allowing us to record this event.
Summary
The event "Dangerous Desires - Same Same But Different" was recorded at Auckland University of Technology and features a range of authors and community figures discussing their personal journeys and experiences with sexuality. The recording captures the changing attitudes towards same-sex love from the 1980s to the 2010s in New Zealand, highlighting significant milestones such as the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform in 1986 and the Marriage Equality Bill in 2013.
Participants shared intimate and often humorous stories of discovery, self-acceptance, and expression. The narratives span through readings of ancient poetry, such as the works of Catullus, to modern incidents in bookshops where hidden desires and curiosities manifested. They discussed influential works of literature and cinema that played roles in their formative years, from the writings of Colette and Virginia Woolf to the movie "Orlando" and various works of erotica and romance novels.
One noteworthy story was shared by an actor who recalled the significance of ​Catalus's poems during their education at a private girls' school, mentioning how the poetry provided a secret connection to their inner feelings. A playwright recounted memories centered around growing up on a farm and being surrounded by the realities of sex in the animal world, leading to an early, uninhibited knowledge of the subject that contrasted with their later discoveries of written pornography and literary erotica.
There were touching accounts of late realizations and coming out later in life. One author talked about living a heteronormative life well into adulthood before awakening to the depth of their same-sex attractions, acknowledging that friends and social circles in the lesbian community had been pivotal in this transformation. The importance of literary works in understanding one's own sexuality was a recurring theme, along with the challenges of living an authentic life within a historically repressive society.
The recording also features a performance poet who shared their narrative through powerful spoken word, emphasizing the struggles and triumphs of queer love and the ongoing battle against discrimination.
A politician detailed their deliberate mission to purchase queer literature as a young person, encapsulating the intense anxiety of secrecy and the thrill of forbidden discovery. Their efforts showcased the progression of LGBTQ+ acceptance over time and served as a testament to personal courage.
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.
Voices
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