Scott

In this podcast titled "Scott (1) – Q12," recorded on 10 February 2012, Scott opens up about the personal journey of being young and gay in the era of the 2010s. Originally from a mixed background of Asian and Kiwi cultures, Scott describes the complexities of navigating life in Auckland, New Zealand, while acknowledging the influence of wider gay culture and their Asian heritage.

At the age of 20, Scott reflects on understanding their sexuality from an early age, recalling an awareness of attraction to the same sex around the age of seven and self-identifying as gay by 12 or 13 years old. Scott notes an absence of prejudice within their family upbringing, which lacked the concept of homosexuality as shameful—a stark contrast to the experiences of some.

Despite studying pop music at university and being the only openly gay individual in their major, Scott receives support from tutors and peers, expressing that they present elements of their identity in music without encountering resistance. This positive environment fosters a candid and affirming experience within their academic sphere.

Scott also provides insight into coming out and the reception faced. Interestingly, the individual notes that initially, secrecy was preferable due to discomfort discussing sexuality with family. However, experiences with a supportive group for gay youth, Rainbow Youth, facilitated a more confident approach to identity. By 16 or 17 years old, engaging with this group was instrumental in realizing the importance and benefits of being open about one's sexuality.

The journey of coming out to family was complex, met with initial shock from their parents. The subsequent reactions slowly transitioned to acceptance, particularly given the fact that Scott is living in New Zealand, a country they describe as more open-minded towards the LGBTQ+ community. Support from school, friends, and gay social groups was pivotal in their personal acceptance, allowing for a natural progression into a space where their sexuality could be comfortably expressed without oversharing or being confrontational.

Scott's story is one of navigating cultural and personal intersections, as well as challenging various social norms and expectations. They touch upon the potential hardship of conservative familial expectations and how technology and societal evolution might address concerns, such as the possibility of having children as a gay individual.

The podcast covers topics such as relationships and facing homophobia. Scott candidly discusses the lack of serious relationships to date and brushes on experiences of harassment. Yet, they emphasize a strong stance against abuse, asserting a readiness to defend themselves and the broader LGBTQ+ community if necessary.

The recorded conversation is an insightful narrative about identity, exploration, and the courage to live authentically, accompanied by an undercurrent of resilience that offers inspiration to anyone on a similar path. The session concludes with the interviewer expressing gratitude for the open and honest discussion.

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.

2010s, auckland, china, coming out, family, gay, homophobia, q12 (series), rainbow youth, relationships, support, youth

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