Kerry(May 2014)

This abstract summarizes a podcast episode titled "Kerry - South" recorded in Dunedin, Otago, on May 9th, 2014, for a duration of 25 minutes. The conversation delves into Kerry's personal journey and experiences with identifying as asexual, aromantic, and agender, particularly in the 2010s decade.

In the discussion, Kerry explains the meaning of these identities: asexuality and aromanticism refer to a lack of sexual or romantic attraction to others, respectively, while being agender denotes a disconnect with the concept of gender entirely. Kerry does not find gender a useful framework for self-identification or interpersonal interactions and prefers it not to influence how others perceive or interact with them.

Kerry shares the process of discovering and embracing these terms, which began with questioning their sexuality around the ages of 15 or 16 after some failed relationships. A friend's casual mention of the term "asexual" led Kerry to research which fostered a sense of validation upon realizing that there were others with similar experiences. This also opened doors to exploring the concept of being non-binary and the way gender was perceived. Kerry publicly identified as non-binary in the first year of university.

With regards to a romantic identity, Kerry feels that conventional romantic narratives and pair bonding do not align with their experiences of relationships, leading to identification as aromantic. Finding community has been important—Kerry has encountered other asexual individuals mainly outside of explicitly queer spaces, such as poetry or film clubs, and values the shared understanding with a roommate who is also asexual and agender.

Kerry discusses community and belonging as being vital and is active in queer spaces at their university, supporting events and peer support initiatives. While integration into the queer community is positive, they note that it can be fragmented and not always wholly inclusive, emphasizing the importance of diversity.

On the topic of discrimination, Kerry recounts experiences with casual slurs during high school and unwelcoming environments in residential settings. Encounters with transphobia are noted, with public perception of gender non-conformity sometimes prompting negative reactions from strangers, including verbal harassment and physical aggression.

Family reactions to Kerry's identity have been a mixed bag, with some silent acceptance and some difficulty in understanding. Notably, education around identity is a persistent challenge, and Kerry highlights the need for advocacy and the aim for better representation and non-pathologization in healthcare and mental health services.

The podcast also covers the impact of social media and online platforms for the queer community, notably in increasing visibility and democratizing media creation. This evolution in television production is beneficial, although Kerry acknowledges a lag in the film industry due to the entrenched powers and structures.

In terms of future progress, Kerry hopes for advancements in general healthcare for queer individuals, particularly in the treatment and validation of trans identities. The pathologization of queer identities is a significant issue, and education targeting medical institutions could prove instrumental for improvement in this area.

Finally, Kerry emphasizes the importance of affirmation for non-binary individuals, encouraging them to trust their self-knowledge. Expressing gratitude for the community and the personal growth driven by sociological discourse, Kerry finds value in the queer community's ability to shape individuals' experiences positively.

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.

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