In this podcast Prue Hyman talks about the Lesbian Programme which has been broadcasting since the mid-1980's on Access Radio in Wellington.
Summary
This recording, titled "Lesbian Programme," is from a podcast hosted by Wai Ho, featuring an interview with Prue Hyman. It took place in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, on September 24, 2010, and the duration of the recording is 32 minutes. Throughout the podcast, Prue Hyman discusses the history, development, and significance of the Lesbian Programme on Access Radio in Wellington, which has been airing since the mid-1980s.
Hyman recounts how they became involved with the program, not as a founder but as an occasional contributor and later as a regular coordinator. Alison Laurie and Linda Evans are noted as key figures in establishing and sustaining the program in its early years. Hyman also alludes to different collectives associated with the program and mentions their predecessor, Bronwen Dean, who persuaded them to become the coordinator prior to their passing.
The Lesbian Programme originated as part of the Woman's Zone programme but soon evolved into a separate entity that broadcasts live every week, which is uncommon for Access Radio shows. The program has achieved continuity despite occasional challenges and now airs on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Hyman emphasizes the diverse content covered on the program, ranging from political activism and community events to music, with a variety of presenters to cater to different segments of the lesbian community. Despite most of the presenters being Pākehā, Hyman indicates a desire for broader inclusivity in terms of ethnicity and age.
Hyman provides insights into the political climate of the 1980s, discussing issues such as homosexual law reform and human rights activism. The program's content has evolved to reflect changing times, expanding outreach to listeners questioning their identity and facilitating discussion through guest interviews, event promotion, and engagement with controversial topics.
The archival preservation of the program's content is also addressed, with many past episodes being transferred to a digital format for posterity. Financial support from organizations like the Armstrong and Arthur Charitable Trust for Lesbians has been crucial to the program's sustainability, alongside occasional fundraisers.
Hyman shares their personal experiences with producing content that resonates with personal identity, including an episode about being Jewish within the lesbian and feminist communities. The program's devout approach to embracing various lesbian identities and discussions around inclusivity is highlighted as well.
Listenership, although challenging to assess accurately, appears to have global reach thanks to broader access via the internet. The program's reach extends to international listeners, and efforts are made to continue to expand audience engagement.
Despite issues around identity and labels within lesbian politics, Hyman observes that there seems to be a general movement toward tolerance and support within the community. The Lesbian Programme serves as a platform for this continued discourse while being attentive to the evolving needs and interests of the listeners.
The recording concludes with information on how to tune in to the Lesbian Programme, including the AM radio frequency and the accessibility of past programs through podcasting on the Wellington Lesbian website or directly via Access Radio.
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