An interview with Kawika Aipa and Bernard Lee, recorded during the community event Queer History in the Making.
Summary
In this summary of the recording "Kawika and Bernard - Queer History in the Making," we explore the conversation recorded during the Queer History in the Making event, held at the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. The discussion features Kawika Aipa and Bernard Lee, who were interviewed by Gareth Watkins on September 12, 2015. This dialogue touches upon the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community in New Zealand from the 1980s to the 2010s.
Throughout the recording, Aipa and Lee share their personal journeys and reflect on the broader queer community's progress and challenges. Aipa, from Hawaii, expresses excitement for being part of the event and the broader movement, stating that being in Wellington allows for a sense of freedom to openly show affection with their spouse, highlighting the contrast with certain areas in the United States where such expressions may not be as accepted. They mention the importance of legal recognition of partnerships, noting that while Hawaii had civil unions since the early 1990s, their own marriage occurred recently.
On the other hand, Lee, originally from Borneo and a resident of Wellington since 2010, describes coming out to their family and reconciling their identity with their mother's expectations. They celebrate the alignment of their 30th birthday with the 30th anniversary of New Zealand's Homosexual Law Reform Act of 1986, acknowledging the relative ease and acceptance Lee found as part of Wellington’s queer community.
Both Aipa and Lee highlight the event as a crucial platform for sharing stories and history, with community groups like Rainbow Youth, InsideOUT, and Naming New Zealand playing vital roles. These organizations, led by young people, advocate for the visibility and rights of the transgender community and ensure that accurate information is accessible for youth. They commend the work of these groups and express the transformative impact of having such representation and resources available.
The interview underscores the importance of acknowledging diverse histories and supporting intergenerational dialogue. The mention of the Chrissy Witoko Memorial Trust brings attention to the struggles faced by older generations, particularly when individuals die without family support. Such narratives facilitate understanding and compassion for the lived realities of LGBTQ+ seniors.
As the interview reflects on the wider context, it draws a comparative perspective between New Zealand and other parts of the world in terms of queer rights. It recognizes New Zealand's progress, notably with the Homosexual Law Reform Act's passing, and conveys hope for continuing advancements in equality and freedoms.
In the background of the individual narratives, a broader theme of community connection and history emerges. It emphasizes the value of gathering places for queer individuals to share experiences, support each other, and learn about the collective journey toward social acceptance and legal rights.
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
1980s, 2010s, aotearoa new zealand, archives, bernard lee, borneo, chrissy witoko, chrissy witoko memorial trust, civil unions, coming out, community, conrad johnston, hawaii, history, homosexual law reform, homosexual law reform act (1986), in phase, insideout kōaro, kawika aipa, lesbian and gay archives of new zealand (laganz), marriage equality, naming new zealand, national library of new zealand, parents, public affection, public display of affection (pda), queer history in the making (2015), rainbow youth, transgender, tranzform (wellington), united states of america, wellington, youth