Des Smith and John Jolliff

In the "Out in the Park (2018)" interview recorded on February 24, 2018, at Waitangi Park in Te Aro, Wellington, Des Smith and John Jolliff reflect on the genesis and evolution of Wellington's iconic LGBTQ+ event which began in 1986. Interviewer Gareth Watkins leads the conversation, eliciting insights from Smith and Jolliff about the fair's origins, its influence over the years, and the ongoing importance of visibility and community support in the face of adversity.

Out in the Park was conceived as a fair promoting fair laws, preceding the homosexual law reform. Smith recounts starting the event with two others and then taking it upon themself to run it for a decade. The fair's initial motive was closely tied to advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, symbolized by the tagline "a fair for a fair law." Strikingly, the fair demanded a three-month commitment every year, which resulted in financial strain for those organizing it.

Jolliff emphasizes the remarkable change over the years - from the diversity and vibrancy of participants to the involvement of groups like ST Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army, which once opposed the cause. This participation marked a substantial shift from the earlier years when these organizations would not even display a poster for the event.

Jolliff brings forward the concept of visibility and vigilance, highlighting them as essential elements that maintain progress and protect community rights, as advised by politician Fran Wilde during law reform. The visibility maintained by events like Out in the Park is crucial to countering homophobia, racism, and other societal issues.

The conversation also honors the memory of significant figures in Wellington's LGBTQ+ community, such as Dana de Milo, Shelley Howard, and Virginia Parker-Bowles, recognizing the roles they played and the adversities they faced. Smith particularly recalls the injustices endured by transgender individuals like de Milo, and how such treatment is unacceptable today.

As individuals who have seen the landscape of LGBTQ+ rights evolve, both Smith and Jolliff have, in their later years, shifted focus to broader issues like conservation. However, they underscore the continued necessity to support the LGBTQ+ community, advising individuals to be comfortable with their identity and partake in life with enjoyment, while also acknowledging the community's ingrained place within the broader societal context.

The interview is a testament to the value and impact of Out in the Park, not just as an LGBTQ+ event but as a transformative community gathering that has adapted and grown through over three decades. It serves as a repository of communal memory, a celebration of progress, and a call to continue the journey towards inclusivity and acceptance.

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.

Des Smith John Jolliff

1980s, 2010s, aotearoa new zealand, cees kooge, conservation, dana de milo, des smith, fran wilde, grain of salt, homosexual law reform, john jolliff, john mckay, lesbian and gay fair, out in the park (wellington), police, salvation army, shelley te waiariki howard, st vincent de paul society (wellington), victoria club, vigilance, virginia parker-bowles, visibility, waitangi park, wellington

army, change, closet, clothing, community, diversity, energy, events, fear, fun, gay, hiding, history, hit, homophobia, homosexual, homosexual law reform, hope, law, lesbian, lgbt, march, other, passing, people, racism, rainbow, running, sad, straight, support, the closet, time, transgender, work