An interview with John Mayes from Gay Line Wellington. This interview was recorded during the community event Queer History in the Making.
Summary
This abstract summarizes an interview with an individual from Gay Line Wellington, discussing the significance and challenges of maintaining a comprehensive website dedicated to gay and gay-friendly organizations. The recording took place in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, during a community event focusing on queer history. The conversation emphasizes how the website amasses around 500 listings and serves as a national database, marking the first time such an extensive collection of gay-related information has been centralized. The initiative began in the year 2000 and also features about 45 articles with a comment section for public discourse on topics ranging from religion to sexuality.
The interviewee reflects on the past difficulties faced without such a resource, highlighting the importance of having all information in one place for easy accessibility. The conversation touches upon the complexity and resource requirements for regularly updating and maintaining this extensive database. The ability to share information with other organizations so that updates need to be edited in only one place is presented as a future goal, thereby increasing efficiency.
Archiving digital information and ensuring its preservation for future generations is a key concern introduced in the interview. The interviewee admits to not having considered this aspect thoroughly but acknowledges the necessity of devising strategies to prevent the loss of this valuable resource. Recognizing the potential impermanence of digital data, the individual contemplates the need to consult with others regarding long-term digital archiving solutions.
Reflecting on the social and legal progress made over the past 30 years since the homosexual law reform, the individual shares personal experiences of having to conceal their private life due to work-related security checks, an issue they believe may no longer be relevant today. It is noted that social dynamics have transformed, with less need for exclusively gay social organizations resulting in some becoming defunct. However, new types of organizations have emerged to fill different needs within the evolving social context.
The potential expansion of the database, contingent on increased volunteer involvement, is suggested as an opportunity to further enrich the resource. Surprising revelations about the breadth of activities occurring across New Zealand, particularly in regions such as Dunedin that were previously thought to be quieter, are mentioned.
Closing the abstract, the significance of the interview in documenting community history and contributing to the understanding of queer organizational development in New Zealand is underscored. The recording demonstrates a committed effort towards the archival and sharing of queer history, reflecting the changing needs and progression of gay communities over time.
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.
Voices
Tags
2000s, 2010s, activities, aotearoa new zealand, archives, auckland, community, dunedin, gay line wellington, history, homosexual law reform, homosexual law reform act (1986), internet, john mayes, lesbian and gay archives of new zealand (laganz), national library of new zealand, outline nz, queer history in the making (2015), religion, security check, security intelligence service, sexuality, social, volunteer, wellington