Prue Hyman

This podcast features an interview with Prue Hyman, conducted by Jac Lynch, where Hyman delves into a personal archive of documentary material related to the homosexual law reform across several decades, from the 1970s through the 1990s. The recording, made on the 15th November 2015 in Paekākāriki, Kapiti Coast District, captures Hyman's reflections on their involvement in the law reform movements.

Hyman recalls their participation in the campaigns and shares anecdotes from personal experiences, such as drafting submissions for women's organizations, like the Association of Women Academics and the Women's Studies Association, and writing to the New Zealand Jewish Council to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals against conservative perspectives within the Jewish community. Hyman's discussion highlights their activism, from writing letters to the editor to engaging in newspaper campaigns and public demonstrations.

Their involvement, while not in the forefront alongside key figures such as Tighe Instone or Alison Laurie, was significant in various capacities, from making submissions on behalf of women's academic groups to actively participating in public demonstrations. One particular moment Hyman recalls is the reaction to an advertisement they helped organize in the Dominion Post in 1985, emphasizing the human rights aspect of the homosexual law reform bill, which was crucial for both lesbians and gay men. Although Hyman describes themselves as not being one of the 'key people', they were deeply integrated into the process, often supporting the gay men who were the focus of the reform movement.

Furthermore, the interview touches on the significance of the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Act in 1986 and the ardor felt by the LGBTQ+ community embodied in a shared effort for recognition and rights. Hyman also discusses the ongoing struggles, such as the backlash following the act's passing, reflected in attacks like the arson of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre.

Towards the end of the podcast, a more reflective tone emerges as Hyman discusses the evolution of language and identity politics, noting their preference for identifying as 'lesbian' rather than 'queer.' The matter concerned a discussion with a student researcher 18 months prior, which highlights the ongoing discussions within the LGBTQ+ community regarding self-identification and terminology.

Hyman worries about the future of their extensive archival material, hoping it will be archived appropriately upon their passing. They express concern about the preservation of LGBTQ+ history and the importance of such documents in understanding the historical context of the law reform movement and lesbian activism.

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.

Prue Hyman

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