Des Smith and John Jolliff(February 2013)

This podcast features an interview with Des Smith and John Jolliff, as they discuss their lives, relationship, and their involvement in important civil rights movements in Aotearoa New Zealand. The interview, conducted by Gareth Watkins, covers the time from the 1930s through to the 2000s.

Des Smith and John Jolliff share their early life experiences, including their births in wellington and West London, respectively, their families, and the impact of World War II on their childhoods. Des, born into a white middle-class family during the war, and John, who was evacuated from London as a child, both faced unique challenges growing up. John, in particular, had to deal with their mother’s health issues and the loss of their life, while discovering their sexuality in a less accepting era. Des shares similar struggles, with memories of wartime rationing and the absence of a social network after their father left the family.

The conversation turns to their individual journeys, with John talking about their unhappy evacuation to Oxford, while Des recounts joining the workforce and their foray into banking and carpentry. Both John and Des share anecdotes about their military experiences, with John being conscripted into the Air Force and Des undergoing military training.

Their conversation also touches on homosexual law reform and the establishment of HUG (Wellington), a group that supported the gay community and advocated for equality. Des recalls their active engagement with the group and the public campaigning they did for the homosexual law reform. Des and John discuss their common passion for the French language and culture, a bond that strengthened their connection.

They then delve into their relationship, which began with their meeting at an event and quickly blossomed, culminating in their civil union years later when New Zealand law began to recognize such partnerships. Both recall their personal struggles, losses, and the societal changes that shaped their lives, emphasizing their advocacy for gay rights and the environmental cause.

The interview concludes with a reflection on their visibility as a couple advocating for civil rights, emphasizing the importance of accepting oneself, questioning authority, and enjoying life responsibly. They encourage young people to be true to themselves and to stand against bullying, emphasizing the importance of contributing positively to the world and living in a way that doesn't cause suffering to others.

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.

Des Smith John Jolliff

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