Trans Archives Zine launch

The National Library of New Zealand hosted a significant event on March 30th, 2021, for the launch of the second volume of "The Archive is Alive" zine. The recording captures discussions and presentations by individuals involved in creating the zine, which is a culmination of archival exploration into the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand (LAGANZ) focusing on transgender and intersex lives and culture in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Will Hansen, a trans historian and trustee of LAGANZ, along with Caitlin Lynch, organized the zine project to bridge the accessibility gap to archival history and to make the rich queer history of Aotearoa New Zealand more approachable to the public. They wanted to underscore the importance of queer history and the ongoing contributions of the queer community to society.

The zine project was conceived as an educational and creative endeavor. A group of trans participants engaged in a two-day workshop to delve into the archives, explore the materials, and subsequently craft a zine that reflects on these historical items and their relevance to present lives. Participants had the opportunity to analyze critical components of the community's past, acknowledging the complexities of their shared history.

Individual contributors took the stage at the zine launch to discuss their pages in the zine. They reflected on their experiences during the workshop, their interactions with historical materials, and what the project meant to them. Common themes expressed by the contributors included the emotional impact of connecting with historical figures, addressing the challenges of gender identity and expression, and the recognition of an enduring struggle for visibility and rights within the queer community.

The zine's title for this volume, "The Gender Woo Woo," is a play on the derogatory term used by trans-exclusionary individuals but reclaimed by the project as a badge of honor and resistance, mirroring strategies used throughout queer history to confront prejudice. Will Hansen's words encapsulated the ethos of the project, emphasizing the significance of queer history as a source of strength and community pride.

The zine is publicly accessible, available as a free digital download, thus extending the project's inclusivity and educational reach. As an artifact of queer archival work, "The Archive is Alive" nurtures the values of inclusivity and community building, empowering the listener to recognize and celebrate the rich queer history and its living, evolving narrative within Aotearoa New Zealand.

The recording captures expressions of gratitude to various individuals and organizations that supported the project, including Roger Swanson, who instilled inspiration and direction to the group, Zoe Williams and Zoe Rowland of the National Library, and the Wellington Zine Fest.

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.

Awatea Rotherham Caitlin Lynch Jack Hitchcox Jas Brooks June Stephens Louie Zalk-Neale Rei Denee Roger Swanson Vee C M Will Hansen Yuri Zhigang Zheng

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