In this podcast Lauren talks about being young and panromantic asexual in 2012.
Summary
In the podcast titled "Lauren - Q12," recorded in Manawatū, New Zealand, on the 12th of September 2012, an individual named Lauren discusses personal experiences relating to gender and sexual identity. The conversation brings to light aspects of Lauren's life as a young panromantic asexual in the 2010s, capturing a candid and informative narrative.
During the 15-minute recording, Lauren is questioned about various facets of life and identity. Lauren expresses a preference for staying at home and engaging in activities such as playing canoe polo, playing guitar, and browsing the internet. A distinct dislike for Justin Bieber's music is mentioned. As the interview progresses, Lauren offers insight into attending a queer straight alliance (QSA) meeting, contemplating the establishment of a similar group, and the desire to foster an atmosphere of "rainbow power."
When the conversation pivots towards gender and sexuality, Lauren clarifies identifying as agender or genderless, despite being assigned female at birth, and discusses the complexity of being panromantic asexual—a relatively lesser-known orientation even amongst alternative sexual identities.
It is revealed during the discussion that Lauren realized being asexual only a few months before the interview, an identity previously masked by the assumption of being gay. This transition came after an introspective period involving isolation and self-reflection. Similarly, the recognition of being panromantic emerged at the beginning or slightly earlier of that year, prompted by a relationship and consideration of the nature of attraction.
Lauren recounts the process of coming to terms with attraction to the same gender a couple of years prior, influenced by the proximity to bisexual friends. The notion of attraction arose spontaneously but wasn't without moments of doubt, described as a cyclical pattern of confirmation and denial.
The podcast touches on Lauren's reluctance to identify as a gender, the engagement with friends and family regarding sexuality, and exploring the meaning of virginity. When addressing family acceptance, Lauren details the situation of coming out to a mother who, with some ignorance, could not fully comprehend Lauren's identity. This lack of understanding, not overtly labeled as abusive within the family dialogue, represents a subtle form of challenge that Lauren faces.
Lauren's friends, some of whom are aware of Lauren's identities, act as a support network. Moreover, Lauren mentions having been in six relationships with a mix of individuals identified as male and female, highlighting a diverse history of personal connections.
The interview also includes a discussion of Lauren's engagement with the LGBTQ+ community, primarily via face-to-face meetings, Facebook, and online forums. Navigating these spaces allows for greater connection with individuals sharing similar experiences.
Towards the end of the conversation, Lauren comments on the relative insignificance of virginity and the fortunate absence of overtly abusive behavior due to gender or sexual identity. This absence of targeted harassment is partly due to Lauren's cautious approach to revealing their identity only selectively.
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.
Tags
Tags (computer generated)
abuse, change, cinema, closet, community, computers, conversation, denial, dream, emotional, gay, gender, hell, lesbian, lgbt, listening, normal, other, pain, parenting, people, piano, podcast, power, rainbow, rainbow power, rainbow youth, romantic, sexuality, space, stole, time, virginity, writing, youth