Kevin

This summary covers a podcast recording about an individual's personal journey and experiences within the LGBTI community, predominantly set in Wellington, New Zealand, during the 1960s through to the 2000s.

The recording begins with a reflection on the lack of sex education during the speaker's upbringing and how exploration and understanding of sexual identity came through natural curiosity and social interactions. The speaker attended Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College, a polytechnic-style school, where they engaged in both sporting activities and held a Prefect position. Throughout this time, the individual experimented socially and personally with substances like marijuana but found it impacted their sports performance. A transformative experience at Outward Bound led to the realization of leadership skills and the start of the speaker's first significant relationship.

This relationship coincided with a deeper involvement in Wellington's LGBTI scene. The speaker describes the experience of working in various hotel bars, including the St. George Hotel and, notably, the Royal Oak Hotel where they became immersed in the local gay community. The Royal Oak had several bars frequented by different social groups, and the Tavern Bar there was recognized as a gay bar.

Anecdotes from this period include humorous and insightful stories from the Dorian Club, where the speaker witnessed the range of people involved in the community, and a police raid at the venue that was mistakenly perceived as a crackdown on the gay community but was actually a search for a burglar.

Involvement in sports continued side by side with the speaker's growing presence in the LGBTI scene, balancing a public persona with their personal life without overtly acknowledging their sexual orientation. The narrative details significant encounters with well-known figures like Carmen Rupe and experiences working in television, including facilitating Carmen's appearance on Telethon in 1976.

As time passed, the speaker's life evolved, including overseas travel and witnessing the talent and class of international drag acts. Upon return to New Zealand, changes in society and acceptance of the gay community were noted, particularly in the television industry that embraced presenters like Hudson and Halls. The conversation also touches upon the progression of gay rights, the lifting of the glass ceiling for women in television, and personal choices in love and sexuality.

The recording also covers other societal shifts, such as addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis, with the speaker recounting interactions with colleagues affected by the disease and the impact of this period on both professional and personal levels.

Recounting engaging anecdotes from the play "On the Corner" for the Fringe Festival and various interactions with local and national personalities, the speaker illustrates the changing social landscape of the times, including their contributions to Rainbow Wellington and activism.

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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