HLR30 Hands On

The podcast titled "HLR30 Hands On," recorded in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, features an interview with Creek, conducted by Gareth Watkins. The discussion centers around an event in April 2016 intended to honor those who fought for homosexual law reform, marking the 30th anniversary of such activism. Creek, a non-academic yet passionate member of the queer community since the age of 18, emphasizes the importance and healing nature of safe physical touch in a society Creek perceives as touch-phobic.

The HLR30 Hands On event scheduled for April 2nd and 3rd, 2016 at Thistle Hall is a volunteer-driven massage and bodywork appreciation initiative targeted at activists of the homosexual law reform movement 30 years prior. The variety of massage services aimed to include relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, Bowen technique, and craniosacral therapy, among others. Creek underscores how criminalization, synonymous with body shaming and societal stigma, has left an indelible mark on bodies and psyches, suggesting that the act of physical touch through massage can provide a therapeutic and acknowledging encounter.

Creek's engagement with massage therapy stems from a practical competency in relaxation massage, a departure from Creek's professions in media. The personal drive towards this profession arose from an early exposure to massage manuals while working in a print shop, and later, a formal certification gained from the Lotus College of Natural Therapies. Creek links a personal longing for more affection during upbringing to the reward found in providing non-sexual, safe touch to others.

Creek also discusses societal touch aversion, attributing it to fear of imperfection and germs, propagated by a barrage of media and advertising. Expressing a conviction that emotional memory can be stored in the body's cells, Creek sees massage as a medium for potentially releasing long-held tensions, although not necessarily aiming for cathartic experiences.

The organization of HLR30 Hands On involves deliberate outreach to encourage former activists to receive massages and to invite volunteers who are trained in various forms of bodywork to participate in the event. The terminology used in this outreach attempts to bridge generational language shifts, from older terms like gay and lesbian to more contemporary queer identities. Creek expresses admiration for trailblazers like the Topp Twins, Carmen Rupe, and Georgina Beyer, who countered shame with bold unashamedness.

While Creek self-funds HLR30 Hands On with some side income, fundraisers, including a film screening organized by Jack Lynch, help offset costs for transporting volunteers and activists to the event. As Creek grapples with the planning and administrative aspects, the hope is that the event may become an annual occasion. However, it would require a more extensive committee for organization in the future.

The recording also alludes to shifts in awareness and activism within Aotearoa New Zealand's queer community, from the homosexual law reform movement and civil union legislation to the more recent achievement of marriage equality. Creek's narrative combines personal life experience with a broader commentary on societal evolution, queer identity, and the communal need for acknowledgment, healing, and the power of touch.

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.

Creek

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