Donald Stenhouse

This summary encapsulates the oral history interview with Donald Stenhouse from the podcast recorded on September 4th, 2012, in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, where Donald Stenhouse discusses the experiences of ageing as a gay individual. The interview is conducted by John Kelly and spans a duration of 16 minutes.

Born in what is now Tanzania and moving to Scotland during their teenage years, the interviewee reflects on a tumultuous childhood education during World War II and an eclectic academic environment. During the onset of puberty, the interviewee realized their sexual orientation, which unfolded gradually without a singular illuminating moment.

The subject recounts a career devoid of overt discrimination, where colleagues generally accepted them despite not being openly gay to all. Faced with internal conflicts regarding their sexual identity, the interviewee sought psychiatric help. At the time, they had begun to move away from religious condemnation of homosexuality and started to consider it a medical condition instead. Undergoing sessions with a Freudian psychiatrist, the interviewee found the therapeutic process challenging, which led to the psychiatrist suggesting and administering LSD as a treatment. While this did not 'cure' them, it encouraged the interviewee to take proactive steps in their life beyond self-pity.

This shift towards acceptance was influenced by reading Sigmund Freud, who insisted that being gay was not problematic and that individuals should be allowed to carry on with life. It was around this time that they overcame their concerns about their gay identity.

As they contemplate the future, the subject shares details about their long-term relationship of approximately eight years, and how they envision the need for support without the presence of a 'nuclear family', as their family resides in Scotland. Regarding potential housing options, they and their partner have explored retirement villages as a feasible choice, though with a preference for those that are gay friendly or inclusive, as they acknowledge the possible discomfort that might arise from more conservative elderly residents.

Additionally, the interviewee discusses their health challenges, which include temporal lobe epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and benign essential tremor. They note the unpredictability of their health's progression and candidly express not having a planned approach to address future care needs.

The subject also touches upon legal considerations for safeguarding their partner's future, confirming that they have made a comprehensive will and express confidence that their family would not challenge their wishes based on their identity.

Regarding hypothetical scenarios, such as becoming single, the interviewee refers to their sister's belief that entering into a new relationship is a way to honor the memory of a deceased partner. When asked about life changes they would prefer, the interviewee muses about an alternate career in neurology, contemplating how they might have taken this path under different circumstances.

The interview concludes with the interviewee reflecting on how their life was not significantly different before and after the homosexual law reform bill, as they had always been determined not to let their sexuality negatively impact their life.

The recording offers insights into the personal life, career decisions, and societal perceptions faced by a gay individual as they age, particularly in the context of 2010s New Zealand. The document emphasizes the importance of a supportive community and legal protection mechanisms for a dignified and secure living for older gay individuals.

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.

Donald Stenhouse

2010s, ageing, aotearoa new zealand, auckland, donald stenhouse, drug therapy, elder issues, elders, family, gay, health, health system, homosexual law reform, jim courtney, john kelly, lsd, mental health, mental illness, older age, older gay men, queer stories our fathers never told us (2011 oral history project), relationships, retirement, scotland, sigmund freud, tanzania, united kingdom

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