Miscellaneouslee(October 2013)

This abstract summarizes a 53-minute interview with Miscellaneouslee, recorded by Gareth Watkins in Auckland, New Zealand. The conversation delves into Miscellaneouslee's experiences spanning the 1970s to the 1990s, focusing on family, Auckland's social scene, and drag performance.

Miscellaneouslee opens up about their mixed heritage—Maori, Chinese, and Scottish—and growing up in a large extended family in Auckland. The interviewee had a substantial familial expectation to marry and have children, which clashed with their own sense of sexual identity. A crucial moment in their youth involved an early encounter with another child that initiated personal questioning about sexual attractions, feelings that later on were revisited and accepted during their teens.

The interviewee's early exposure to the concept of being gay came from the vibrant and flamboyant music scene of the 1980s with bands like Queen and the Village People, although they didn't have a full grasp of the term "gay" at the time. In their immediate circle, however, they knew no one who was openly gay.

When the topic shifts to cultural perspectives, Miscellaneouslee discusses differences in the acceptance of homosexuality within Maori and Chinese familial structures. Historically, some Maori chiefs had close male companions thought to have provided intimate support, indicating a historical presence of same-sex relationships. However, acceptance varies greatly, with more openness present in certain societal roles, such as in performing arts and domestic responsibilities.

Regarding coming out, the interviewee describes their own process as natural and straightforward, despite initial concerns about disappointing their family. Their parents' acceptance was paramount, and thankfully, it was forthcoming, with their father reaffirming love and acceptance after Miscellaneouslee shared their sexual orientation with their mother. This warm reception from their family was essential to them, especially given the broader challenges within the Maori and Chinese communities.

When examining the drag scene, Miscellaneouslee relives the thrill of discovering drag performances in the 1980s. Drag offered an artistic and expressive outlet, an avenue to explore different facets of identity, and was inherently social, involving significant collaboration and bonding experiences among performers. The enthusiasm and camaraderie of the drag community were irrefutable.

Despite facing challenges such as a stroke at 36, which required them to relearn basic functions and led to a decade-long pause from performing in drag, Miscellaneouslee remembers the joy and exuberance of performances like the Hero Parade and Wigs on the Waterfront with great fondness. Coming back to drag for the Pride Parade in 2013 revived some of that same electric energy they were accustomed to in the heydays of the drag scene.

The conversation also touches on the language of drag, the loss of drag community members to AIDS, and the competitive yet supportive nature of the drag scene. The shattering effect of HIV/AIDS during the 1980s is also highlighted as Miscellaneouslee recalls the fear and stigma engulfing the community at that time.

Miscellaneouslee's story is one of identity, culture, resilience, and performance, shedding light on the nuances within the LGBTQ+ community's experiences and offering insights into New Zealand's broader social dynamics across three decades.

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.

Miscellaneouslee

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