Rex Halliday(April 2013)

The recording titled "Rex Halliday profile," documents an interview with Rex Halliday conducted by Gareth Watkins on April 11, 2013, in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. This recording, which spans 1 hour and 24 minutes, offers an in-depth look into Halliday's personal history. Halliday shares experiences from their upbringing in New Plymouth during the 1950s, detailing their early realization of an attraction to the same sex and the societal pressures of the time.

The conversation moves through the decades, touching upon university life, a stint at an Ashram, and various jobs, leading up to Halliday's involvement in prominent advocacy and community-building efforts. These include their participation in and contributions to the Gay Liberation movement of the 1970s, early HIV/AIDS prevention programs, and the founding of the Hero party and festival. Halliday's narrative reveals the challenges of growing up gay in a time of limited social acceptance and the later shifts towards openness and activism.

Despite the initial lack of understanding and acceptance, the interview chronicles Halliday's journey to becoming a key figure in raising awareness about gay rights and HIV/AIDS in New Zealand. They discuss their intimate encounters with men during adolescence, the taboo of discussing and expressing homosexual feelings in society, and the journey toward self-actualization as a queer person. A poignant moment in the interview is Halliday's recollection of coming out to their mother at the age of 21 and the subsequent familial dynamics, including a particularly supportive relationship with their father despite the absence of explicit conversations regarding sexuality.

The establishment of the Hero party and festival, a pivotal moment in New Zealand's gay community, is also highlighted. The Hero festival became a celebration of gay identity, empowerment, and camaraderie amidst the grim backdrop of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It encouraged safe sex and acknowledged the resilience and heroism within the community. Halliday reminisces about the immense pride and love felt for the LGBTQ+ community during this event and the dedication of numerous volunteers who contributed to its success.

In discussing the trajectory of the Hero festival, Halliday reflects on what was originally a community effort and how the event began to evolve with subsequent iterations. Although commercial and political pressures started to weigh in, Halliday acknowledges that all individuals involved sought the best outcomes according to their visions. The Hero festival initiated important community conversations and pride parades, asserting the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.

The interview concludes with reflections on significant personal achievements within the gay community and advocacy work, underscoring the importance of collective pride, personal recognition, and community support.

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.

Rex Halliday

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