The title of this recording is "Nate - Q12". It is described as: Nate talks about being young, transgender and bisexual in 2012. It was recorded in Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand on the 17th July 2012. The duration of the recording is 15 minutes, but this may not reflect the actual length of the event. A list of correctly spelt content keywords and tags can be found at the end of this document. A brief description of the recording is: In this podcast Nate talks about being young, transgender and bisexual in 2012. The content in the recording covers the 2010s decade. A brief summary of the recording is: In the recorded podcast from July 17, 2012, titled "Nate - Q12," the speaker delves into the personal experience of being a young, transgender, and bisexual individual. Recorded in Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand, the podcast captures the views and realities of life during the 2010s for someone embracing a gender and sexual identity that diverges from the societal norms. Nate, the youth coordinator at Waikato Queer Youth (WQY), shares the journey since coming out to friends and finding support in the queer community. Nate's experience underscores the vital role of supportive networks in the processes of understanding and accepting one's gender identity. As an early childhood teacher, the discussion also reflects on interactions in a professional environment, exploring the nuances of gender expression and public perception in the workplace. During the conversation, Nate candidly recounts the internal struggle faced when coming to terms with being transgender. It highlights the initial denial and self-criticism that accompanied realization, which many in the transgender community can relate to. Nate's story is one of eventual self-acceptance, a challenging journey navigated through immense personal adversity, including depression and suicidal ideation. A critical aspect of Nate's narrative is the significance of supportive relationships. This is depicted through the unwavering support from family, notably from a sister, reinforcing how crucial family can be in the journey towards self-acceptance for transgender individuals. Furthermore, the recording explores the professional support Nate receives at work, which underscores the importance of an inclusive and affirming work environment. The concept of seeking transition-related healthcare is also addressed, with Nate discussing the complexities and financial aspects of accessing gender-affirming surgery in New Zealand. The reality of navigating public health services, waiting lists, and the financial implications of surgeries both locally and internationally offer listeners insight into the additional challenges faced by transgender individuals in New Zealand. As an active community leader, Nate touches on their role in establishing support systems for others, advocating for the inclusion of individuals in similar positions. Nate's work with WQY illuminates the power of community-based support and the creation of safe spaces for transgender youth to connect and share experiences. The podcast does not shy away from addressing intimate topics, such as virginity and personal relationships. Nate offers insight into personal definitions of virginity and how this can differ among individuals. Also discussed are the dynamics of dating and relationships as a transgender person, underlining the layered complexities of navigating romance and intimacy while being true to one's identity. Furthermore, the speaker brings to light the concept of visibility and openness in relation to gender and sexual identities, challenging the notion that these should be kept hidden. Nate's experience of rarely receiving abuse for their identity presents a valuable counterpoint to the often-highlighted narratives of transphobic violence and discrimination, even though it doesn't negate the prevalence or severity of such issues. Overall, Nate's testimony provides a multifaceted look at the life of a transgender and bisexual person in the 2010s in New Zealand, contemplating themes of identity, society's acceptance, mental health, family support, and the pursuit of authenticity in a world that can be unwelcoming of diversity. The dialogue is an important addition to the discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ experiences and serves to enhance understanding and awareness of the struggles and triumphs within the queer community. The full transcription of the recording follows.  It includes timestamps every thirty seconds in the format [HH:MM:SS].  The transcription begins:  Hello. How are you today? I'm good. Thank you. That is. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? OK, um, my name is Nate and I am the youth coordinator at Yes, um, also known as wacky. Wacky? Yeah. Um, I started coming as a youth member to wacky, uh, about two years ago before I was in a staff position. Um, when I had just, um, come out to all my friends and stuff as Trans. So it was a big support for me. [00:00:30] Um, I'm also an early childhood teacher, and that's about it. So you're from Hamilton from Hamilton? Have you always been from Hamilton? Yeah. Born in Hamilton. So you're a proper Hamilton person Proper. Never moved outside of Hamilton. So it's like the big barriers. I shall not leave this place. The dome, the dome. But it is a dome. Really? Because there's like hills surrounding us, isn't it? Apart from the lakes and the river [00:01:00] and the bridges bridges follow the river. Follow the river to get out of here, follow the river and return again. Go to lake. Yeah. So, um what is so How old are you? I am 24. 24. Yes. Finally. Someone that's older than me. Um, what is your gender identity? Um, male. Male. Is that, um your [00:01:30] sex sex gender as well? No. No. And what is your I am bisexual. Bisexual. And what's your cultural identity? Um, Kiwi. And what is your gender Gender expression? Uh, pretty. Um, it depends on the day. Um, I present [00:02:00] mainly masculine in a slightly camp way sometimes. So this guy wake up and say hello. My name is Nate. Yes, it is. Really? Yeah. Yeah. Just have their foot stomping and the other one skipping. Done. Done. It was like I'm gonna wear all black in my metallics and then something that was like, I'm gonna get a sparkles with a tutu. Yes, yes. The two tree sparkles that even a tutu to work. [00:02:30] So, um so when did you realise that you were, um, transgender? Um I've always known it was something slightly obscure about myself, but I, I only found the word that kind of clicked in to everything when I was about 16 and then continued to deny it until I was, like, 19. Yeah. So how about, um when did you realise that you were by, [00:03:00] um, really early. Like I kind of discovered I liked, um, both genders when I was about 10. You know where you go through that? I'm an old hand stage. I was holding everyone's hand. I was the bridge between the groups. It was like, bring everybody together. Yeah. Don't touch me. You got you got girls. Wait, wait. Did you hang on? Did [00:03:30] you do the whole boat thing, didn't you? Oh, you got G like you are a girl. No, no, I'm not. She was like, Wait, am I? Damn, That doesn't make sense. That makes sense whatsoever. There's a pink tag that just came out of nowhere. The return of the wacky pass. The return of the wacky password. Fun. Oh, yes. Um, So how did you feel when you realised you were a boy? [00:04:00] Um, yeah. Confused. Like I felt really weird. Especially at a young age. Yeah, I was like, I think it is just like one. I'll just roll with it. It wasn't until, like, I think, the end of middle school. Then it started to become apparent that it wasn't actually OK in most people's terms, like, hey, you can't do that. Even though at league, because you're allowed in those times. This is like when I'm, like, under 14. So [00:04:30] it was just like, you know, the nineties, the nineties, one of the good old nineties. The and, um, when How did you feel when you realised that you were a train? Um, horrible II. I I did a lot of, um, self hate in regards to that. Like, Oh, you know, you're a freak. It can't be like this. It's not true. Blah, blah, blah. No one's like this in the world. You're just a weirdo, blah, [00:05:00] blah, blah. Um, it took a long time to come to terms with it within myself. How did you, um, accepted it, or how did you feel when you accepted it? Um, I basically was going through a huge spell of depression and was like, Well, I can't be like this, so I'm just going to kill myself, and then that didn't work. And I kind of came out the other side saying, OK, I've got to embrace this where my life is just gonna be nothing. So it was just kind of like a get over it and embrace yourself kind of moment, [00:05:30] and it was really freeing, but still kind of isolating. Did you find someone to help you with support or anything? Um, the first person in my family that I came out to was, um, my sister, Alex. And, um, I basically just started dressing like, binding. And then just because we had real movie dates because we didn't see each other often. And I just started dressing, um, as male and binding and stuff, and she just she was like, Oh, what's your name then? And then that's that [00:06:00] was me coming out to her basically. And then from there, she's just been a constant support, which is awesome. So do you keep in contact with her? She comes. She'll be here later. She's one of these mentors. And, um how, um when did you How did you feel when you, um when did you accepted that you were a boy? Um, high school. High school? Yeah. Although I, I wasn't very vocal about the [00:06:30] lack of the girl bits, but I I it was still knowing, you know? And I was still ok with it. I was like, Yeah, when did you come out? um, the end of high school, Like the last year that I was in high school because, you know, I wanted to date people, so I had to tell them. So have you been fully transitioned? And what do you mean, like Yeah, because that's a really That's a That's a broad question. Um, no, [00:07:00] I am currently on hormones and waiting for etcetera. When do you know? When you get to the surgery? Um, top surgery. I'm on a six month waiting list, and then it depends At the end of the six month waiting list, they either bump you off and start you again. Or if you actually get what you need, it's a It's a loophole. A big, complicated thing. Public health service. Um, do you have to pay for [00:07:30] that? Um, if you get it like the bare minimum chance that it gets funded. Um, the only thing you have to pay is a private consultant consultant fee. Um, but most likely, yes, I have to pay for it. Yeah. So what is the average for, um, for that, um, cost in New Zealand, it's anywhere between 16 to 60,000. Um, in America, it's, um [00:08:00] between 40,000. And in Thailand, it's average between, um 9000 NZ dollars and $13,000. So you've done your research? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've lived in. So you go and do it in New Zealand or, um, no, probably in either, um San Francisco or Thailand, Like a little bit exotic [00:08:30] and cheaper and cheaper when you're adding up like hotels and flights and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Yeah. Is that all included as well, um, only in Thailand, only in Thailand. Oh, that's quite cheap. Yeah, it is. It's ridiculously cheap. I wonder why this makes you feel a bit like wonder, but at the same time. But then at the same, it's like, No, it's cheaper. So when you first, [00:09:00] um, accepted, um, your sexuality as being Why did you ever feel that you had to keep it a secret? Um, no, I've always been pretty open about it, But once that I was past that point of Oh, like I don't go to someone and say hi, I'm Nate. I'm bisexual. And Trans, it's like stuff like that. But like I'm not, if someone asks me or if it comes up about relationships. I'm just tell them the truth about you being Trans. [00:09:30] This came out. Yeah, I was just, you know, not hide it. Um, even with the kids at work, um, which was I was real nervous about at first. But, you know, sometimes they still ask me you were a girl. Yes. When you first started it were you, um were you going through transitioning Or when I first started work? Nope. Uh, I I started, um, where I work currently? I. I started [00:10:00] work there when I was just leaving high school. So, um, I've been there about six years. So So I came out in a month working man, which was a bit rocky in a way. A little. Yeah, actually, I was more worried about how people reacted than they actually reacted. So because at a young age, they don't react or anything. They'll be like, Oh, I have a foot. Yeah. Yeah. Ask you five questions about it and then forget about it. Yeah, And then come back five minutes later. Yeah, basically, Yeah. So you've [00:10:30] had a Do you have a support system there with work or with, um, with your sexuality? and Trans. Yeah, um, is a huge and my family has been amazing. And like rainbow youth, did Ra youth help? Um, Tommy meeting Tommy was awesome. Um, I've met him through a Trans one on one workshop, which was ah, for Hamilton. Like that was like, it blew my mind like, because that was, like, the second time that I've ever heard anyone say [00:11:00] the words like transgender and stuff like that. And, um, I took my well, my mom took me along, and, um, that was like the information from that was just amazing. Like, Yeah. Yeah. So, um, so you got Is there going to be a group that's going to be set up for created for trans? For the trans community? Yes. Um, there is, um, with wacky we're currently working on, um, a transgender. Um, like, just meet up like that happen because, um, at the moment, it's kind of a gap [00:11:30] between, um, younger generation and the older generation of trans people which, um, a gender and that I cover and stuff, but so we're looking to fill the gap because I know what it's like to not have that kind of people. You can relate to, and it's kind of scary. So what's it like working with wacky? Awesome. It's like one of my passions. Basically, um, occasionally you get the little ones just running around and yeah, yeah, as you can probably hear through the door. [00:12:00] Oh, it's gone. Quiet. Maybe I can hear. That's for real. Yeah. So, marshmallows, Yes. Marshmallows? No. That's the first thing that came to my mind. Um, so your family relationships? Yes. Yes. So would you like to tell us about your relationships? In what sense? Well, how they, um, how being trans affected them or [00:12:30] you've been coming out affected them in any way. Um, I was only out into my relationships as Trans. Um, because I've only had two actual long term relationships like that was kind of like a couple of months. Yeah. You basically just the water on the side. You actually like what you you know, um, compatible. Do they know now? Um, yeah, yeah. I mean, [00:13:00] yeah, um and we're still friends I'm still friends with. So, um, which is cool, but yeah. So how about so? Did they were they all fine with you being trans in Both, Um by yet No one cared about that. Um, the trend thing was slightly I. I think, um, it was hard to understand. Like, it was like a concept that no one had, actually, you know, come across. When was this? Um, the first time [00:13:30] I came out in a relationship was when I was 19. Um, it was my long term boyfriend who had been going out for, like, two years, so that was kind of big, Like he always knew that I was just kind of slightly tomboyish and stuff like that, but yeah. And how about the other one? Um, that was Anita. And I was laughing at the my voice when I said that, um, she met me when I was, um, out and at, So Yeah. So, um, [00:14:00] how do you meet other people? And like, um, in the trans community? Oh, mostly Facebook. Is it, like Facebook groups for them and stuff? Do they come to you asking for advice and stuff? Yeah, I get quite a lot of that. And, um, since I've been out at, there's actually been a lot of other people who have come out as Trans, which was quite interesting. Just, um, the dynamics of the group changing and stuff like that Has it, um, increase the group's population? [00:14:30] Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, So what is your definition of virginity? Uh um, that's, like a random impression change. OK, Um, no, it's just that, um, everybody has a different definition, so I always thought it would be relevant to that at the same time. It's not, um I suppose you can have, like, your boy virgin. There's the first, like sexual the first time we have sex. [00:15:00] But then I guess as well as the first time we have sex with the opposite of sex, which is you go cherry or whatever. Yeah. So, um, have you ever received any abuse? Um, actually, no. No. Maybe like a drunken verbal abuse, but no. Nothing. Do you have anything else to say? No. No. Thank you for the interview. Thank [00:15:30] you. The full transcription of the recording ends. A list of keywords/tags describing the recording follow. These tags contain the correct spellings of names and places which may have been incorrectly spelt earlier in the document. The tags are seperated by a semi-colon: 2010s ; Aotearoa New Zealand ; Hamilton ; People ; Q12 (series) ; Rainbow Youth ; San Francisco ; Stuff ; Thailand ; Waikato Queer Youth ; Youth ; abuse ; advice ; agenda ; barriers ; binding ; bisexual ; boat ; change ; coming out ; community ; culture ; depression ; diversity ; early childhood education ; education ; expression ; family ; flying ; friends ; gender ; gender expression ; gender identity ; hate ; identity ; internet ; masculine ; other ; podcast ; rainbow ; relationships ; research ; running ; school ; self harm ; self hate ; sex ; sexuality ; sport ; suicide ; support ; surgery ; teacher ; teaching ; tension ; the other side ; time ; top ; top surgery ; trans ; transgender ; transition ; truth ; verbal abuse ; virginity ; women ; work ; workshop ; youth. The original recording can be heard at this website https://www.pridenz.com/q12_nate.html. The master recording is also archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.  For more details visit their website https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.1089297. Please note that this document may contain errors or omissions - you should always refer back to the original recording to confirm content.