Iris Florence Peter Williams

In this 17-minute podcast recorded in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, author Julie Glamuzina discusses "Perfectly Natural: The audacious story of Iris Florence Peter Williams," a book chronicling the life of an individual whose unique story spanned from the 1940s to the 2010s. Interviewed by Jac Lynch, Glamuzina provides an overview of her investigative journey into unraveling the mystery behind a 1945 newspaper report she were given after a presentation. The report revealed that two women had been prosecuted for marrying each other in an Auckland registry office, despite such unions being illegal. One of the individuals had also attempted to join the armed forces as a man but was stopped by their mother.

The curiosity about this story motivated Glamuzina to take on the role of a detective, combing through marriage and other official records with only a profile to go by. With the information that one individual was 30 and the other 18 at the time of marriage, and details like one being a twin and the other a labourer, Glamuzina was able to pinpoint the right certificate; it was noted as being between two females and marked for referral to the registrar general.

The two, Iris Florence later known as Peter Williams, and their partner, were put on probation for three years and ordered to seek psychiatric treatment. Despite these setbacks, Williams managed to lead a life under the radar, obtaining a corrected birth certificate claiming a male identity, which was supported by the individual's mother and others. Williams would go on to marry, divorce, and eventually find a long-term loving relationship, living as a man.

Glamuzina spent years piecing together Williams's life, tracing through various public records while respecting the privacy of those still living by altering names. Her determination to uncover the truth about Williams reflects a larger pattern of historical research and recognition of diverse gender identities and expressions throughout history.

The work spanned almost two decades, initiated around 1995-96 and culminating in publication years later, due to the time-intensive nature of accessing archival information and seeking responses to inquiries. Glamuzina's dedication to this research highlights the often invisible narratives of those who challenged societal norms.

The book is available for purchase through select bookshops and directly from the publisher, Steele Roberts. "Perfectly Natural" pays homage to the words of Williams, whose assertion of being "perfectly natural" serves as a poignant title and testament to the lived experience. Glamuzina's rigorous research honors the complex history of people whose stories challenge conventional understanding of identity and societal expectations.

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.

Julie Glamuzina

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