The title of this recording is "Wei - South". It is described as: Wei talks about identifying as bigender and queer. It was recorded in Christchurch, Canterbury on the 13th May 2014. The duration of the recording is 21 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 Wei talks about identifying as bigender and queer. The content in the recording covers the decades 1970s through to the 2010s. A brief summary of the recording is: This recording, titled "Wei - South," encapsulates a comprehensive discussion on identity, gender, sexual orientation, and the evolving dynamics concerning these topics over the 2010s. It was recorded in Christchurch, Canterbury, on May 13, 2014, and lasts for 21 minutes. The conversation begins with Wei exploring their bigender and queer identity. Wei expresses discomfort with the label 'lesbian' due to the traditional understanding of it requiring one to be both female and attracted to females. Through self-reflection and societal observations, Wei identifies as queer, a term they feel more accurately represents their identity beyond binary gender distinctions. Wei reflects on growing up with an understanding of gender that did not align with societal expectations. Initially believing to be transsexual, Wei later discarded this idea, realizing that social norms about femininity and masculinity were restrictive and unaligned with their true self. The realization dawned that one could dress and act in ways not traditionally associated with one's assigned gender at birth. The conversation transitions into Wei's personal journey of understanding and embracing their queer identity. They note that knowledge gained after moving to New Zealand played a significant role in this process, having only resided in the country for three years. This newfound perspective came about around the age of 19 after overcoming the language barrier and learning more about gender and sexuality. Wei's experiences in China shaped their views on the social acceptability of being queer. They recount the struggles of coming out to their friends at 16 and eventually to their parents, highlighting the generational differences in acceptance within their community. After moving to New Zealand for education and a fresh start, Wei found the environment to be more conducive to exploring and accepting their identity. Academically, Wei pursued a diverse range of subjects but settled on philosophy and mathematics in their third year, considering a future in journalism. They found the University of Canterbury to be a supportive space, especially due to the vibrant queer community groups present. The narrative then delves into the importance of community and belonging. Wei underscores how significant the supportive queer community in Christchurch is, albeit being smaller than in larger cities. The sense of security and mutual support offered by such communities is vital to individuals who are negotiating their identities. Wei delves into the role of social media in finding community and staying informed about queer resources and events. While life in southern New Zealand is generally acceptable for queer individuals, Wei believes it is somewhat easier in the northern regions, attributing it to cultural differences and the presence of bigger cities with larger, more active communities. Wei also discusses representations of queer and transgender people in the media, urging a shift away from using labels that reinforce the gender binary. They advocate for the media to focus on individuals' various characteristics instead of their gender or sexuality. Reflecting on the passage of the marriage equality bill in New Zealand, Wei stresses that, despite this legislative win, discrimination within the queer community persists. They cite education and social media as essential tools in combating such discrimination. As an activist, Wei writes about queer liberation and engages in community organizations like Queer Avengers. Keenly aware of the ongoing challenges facing queer individuals, Wei calls for further education and increased visibility to surmount present barriers of intolerance and discrimination. To empower other young individuals struggling to come out, particularly those from similar cultural backgrounds, Wei shares a message of hope and acceptance, emphasizing the joy and freedom that come with being true to oneself. The full transcription of the recording follows.  It includes timestamps every thirty seconds in the format [HH:MM:SS].  The transcription begins:  How would you describe your identity? Well, um, queer. Yeah, I would. I didn't find myself as lesbian if people ask. But since I'm, um I'd say I'm like bi gender as well, so I'm not quite sure about the lesbian, So just quit in general. Yeah, just quit. What does, um, queen mean? Well, um, I'm not sure if I OK to call, call myself a lesbian because, [00:00:30] you know, like, um, in general is obviously, like women, um, sexually or emotionally, um, attracted to to women. But I'm not quite sure if I would call myself a lady, you know, in the first place. That's why I like I said, Well, I'm a lesbian now. I just call myself queer. So, yeah. Do you think the language that we used to talk about sexual orientation has changed much over time? And I guess so. I guess so. [00:01:00] But then again, like people, um, like nowadays, I don't think most people know much about people's gender and sexuality. Like very well. Yeah. Yeah. What does it mean to you to be bi gender? Well, to me, Um well, I, I think I am by gender for part of philosophical reason. Well, because end up another part of the reason was before, when I was younger, I, [00:01:30] um, thought I was transsexual because I just, like, wanted to be a guy. And, you know, because to the society is like, uh if you are not, like, feminine enough or you you know, you should be feminine enough. If you are a lady, you should, like, wear pretty dresses and stuff. But that's not like what I liked when I was younger, so I thought, Oh, maybe I want to be a guy and I thought that way for a long time. That's why um, I always thought I was transsexual until [00:02:00] maybe, um, when I turned 16 or 17 or something, and I was like, Nah, that's all bullshit like, yeah, you shouldn't just act a certain way. The society wants you to act like, you know, if you are a lady you can like, wear guys's clothes and stuff, you know, you can do guys things, and, you know, you don't have to just do the girly things that you you should be doing. So, um yeah, so I guess that changed a bit after that. How did you realise [00:02:30] that you didn't have to fit into, um, society's kind of stereotype of what it means to be. Well, um, I learned a bit about like, um, people's, you know, like, gender and sexuality. And, um, like, traditionally, obviously, like, um, gender is binary, which means there's only male and female, two genders. But, um, actually, I think there should be like, you can have two genders at the same time, or or not non gender at all, you know, or just become like me. Yeah. [00:03:00] So it's not necessarily has, you know, has to be just male or female. Yeah. And also, like, um, they are transsexual people as well, so they are, like, definitely more than two genders. Yeah. When did you start identifying as bi gender? Probably 19. Just a couple of years ago. Yeah. Since I learned a little bit more because I I've only been in this country for three years. Um, so the first year, basically, I was just going through, you know, language, [00:03:30] barriers and stuff. So I you know, I didn't know much about this kind of things and probably, you know, since maybe two years ago, I started reading a bit more and had more ideas about people's gender and sexuality. And I decided, Yeah, this is me. Yeah. And when did you first become aware that you were queer? Um, I kind of discovered I'm gay. Um, when I was maybe 13. Um, what messages [00:04:00] do you remember getting when you were growing up about what it meant to be gay? Well, because Well, from where I'm from, China is it's not very, uh, socially acceptable thing over there. Even nowadays, um, it's becoming better in our generation. But, like for people, my parents age is still, like, not a socially acceptable thing to be queer. Um, it's like it's obviously illegal. And if you [00:04:30] act like gay in public, people would be like, Oh, that's gross. And, um, a lot of people will be like, Well, get helped. And, you know, like, Oh, you you will be helped. You can, you know, turn straight if you try hard. It's just a phase you're going through. It's Yeah, kind of like what some Catholics say. Yeah, to be honest. Um, So were you out until when you were living in China? Well, [00:05:00] I was, um I came out when I was 16, but only to my friends. To people of my generation, but not really to my parents. What responses did you get from your friends? Well, they're like, Yes, it is. Yeah. What was your, um, school like, um, all banned. So, you know, I just had to keep it secret. Yeah, I had a girl. Yeah, not really. Girlfriends, But I had a crash in high school and, yeah, just had things with girls, [00:05:30] but, um, didn't really, like, didn't come out to my teachers, obviously. Just, um some close friends classmates around me, they knew and they were, like, sweet. Yeah. Um, And have you since come out talk to any of your family? Well, um, I came out to my family. Not really. All family, Just my parents when I was, um, before I turned 18. Yeah, that's when I just arrived in New Zealand. I wasn't good at first. [00:06:00] It was terrible. Like, yeah, they got really, really upset. And it took them so so long to, you know, accept it. Yeah, but now they're OK, but it just took so long. So much effort. Yeah. What brought you to New Zealand? Hey, what brought you to New Zealand. Um, well, first of all, it was for education. And also, I just didn't want to stay in China, because, um, I spent 17 years over there, so I just kind of want to change. Yeah, [00:06:30] just to see different places. Plus, I thought, you know, um, New Zealand, you know, European countries probably like better with, you know, um, being gay. That's what I thought as well. Yeah. So I was like, Well, New Zealand seemed to be a nice place. Might give it a go. Um, What are you studying? What have you said? Um, I did a lot of papers, like accounting economics and different mathematics and calculus papers. And, uh, I'm doing, um, [00:07:00] 30 year philosophy and mathematics now and thinking about doing another two years of journalism after getting my bachelor's degree. Yeah, um, as the university seem to be a supportive Oh, yeah, Yeah, of course. I think so. Um, because when I was first enrolled in uni after high school, I heard there some communities, like, um, at uni University of Canterbury, and they seem to be really nice and supportive [00:07:30] group of people. What gives you a sense of community and belonging. Well, to me. Um, well, I've never experienced community in China, but in here, um, since I moved to New Zealand, I found the community and the, um, queer group is, like, really supportive here. Um, especially, um, Well, [00:08:00] in Christchurch, it is actually like, um, not much in Christchurch, but, um, they are, like, groups of groups of people that, you know, um, organising events every now and then and stuff and like, um, pretty much everyone knows everyone here, and plus, Christchurch is quite a small town. And the community, the queer community here is not very big. So I think it's very good that, um, like, people can get to know [00:08:30] each other and know the fact that, um, like, we're all here to support each other. So, um, that's a really good thing. That's why I think community is definitely necessary. Yeah. Why is it so important to you? Um, I just think knowing there are people that are are there for me are being supportive, and we're all you know, the same group of people is it, um makes me feel secure. Yeah, that's why it's important. [00:09:00] Do you think um, things like Facebook and social media and the Internet are playing more of a part in the way that we kind of find that community and information and connect with other people. That's the only way I get information pretty much not just because I'm I'm a young person. Just I find it, um, as the easiest access. It's the easiest way, um, to access information about, um, events and, um, all the, you know, information like resources and stuff about Korea, [00:09:30] um, on the Internet. And, yeah, Do you think it's harder to be, um, queer in the South Island? Well, I can't say it's really hard because it's definitely being like, um, being queer, being socially, more and more acceptable nowadays. And, um, I find it generally fine, but I'd say it it would be easier to be a queer person, um, to be in Northern Ireland, to be honest. Yeah, because, um, [00:10:00] probably it is to something to do with the culture difference as well. Um, like in some cities, like bigger cities like Wellington, um, it's just easier. And more communities like a lot larger groups, more events and more support, um, supportive people and here, it's more like, Well, there are many, many, um, like, racist and sexist. You know, those those people bogus [00:10:30] in Christchurch. And those people are generally a bit homophobic as well. Sometimes. Yeah, there. Not many of them. But there are still people like that here. Yeah, so they are the only problem, otherwise, just generally is It's all good. Yeah. Um, how do you feel about the way queer and Trans people are represented? Um, in the media and pop culture? Well, and in the media, you know, when people introduce, like, queer or [00:11:00] transgender people, they they just, you know, introduce us as queer or trans women Trans men, you know, stuff like that. But to me, it's not really relevant, to be honest, because, um, I think it's much deeper than how we are represented in the media. The thing I think, why? Why being trans or queer matters is traditionally because of it's where it came from. Is is the gender binary [00:11:30] thing. It's like Well, um, you know, a man should be should be like a man. A woman should be like a woman. That's why when when it comes to issues like Trans issues queer issues. It becomes an issue because of the gender binary thing. That's why you know, you should look at people in other ways, like there are a lot of more things that actually matter rather than your gender sexuality. Yeah, that's what I think. Um, have you seen your [00:12:00] identity reflected at all in, like, books? Or maybe your TV? Like any characters or storylines that you could relate to? Not really. Right. Do you see, um, intense people stereotypes much and those kind of things? Well, sometimes on the Internet, like, um, in the media, they would represent, you know, for example, uh, [00:12:30] trans men, for example, to be like very, um, feminine, tall, muscly, black. That's what I say in general. I know it's not good, but it's, you know, stereotypical. But that's what I say. So, um, there's definitely, you know, stereotypical types in the media. Yeah. Where do you think you can see those kind of stereotypes? Just random articles. Pretty much. [00:13:00] What would you like to see more of in the media? Uh, well, to me, I my opinion might be, you know, a bit different than most people was to me. I really don't like the word. The word trends. Because if you identify yourself as a man, you are a man instead of trans men or whatever. So to me, I just think, um, I would like to see the media [00:13:30] to get rid of the the words like Trans or, you know, you know, it was like that that the term, like, male female, you know, terms like that. Yeah. Yeah, and same as, um, gay marriage. It just a marriage, Not gay marriage. Yeah. Yeah. So, like, not every story about the Trans person needs to be about their family. Or but that's always brought into it. Yeah. Yeah, that's what I think. What about [00:14:00] on, like, movies and television and books and things like that? Well, I think the same. It's all the media. Yeah. Yeah. How do you feel about the marriage equality bill that passed last year? Well, it's definitely a good thing, because, um, I have a little bit of knowledge about, you know, the LGBT care liberation in New Zealand. And, um, that's, um, that started in 19 seventies, and it's definitely been a long and, um, tough [00:14:30] journey for the LGBT community in New Zealand. And, um, the, um, civil union in 2005 was definitely a big thing. And a great improvement. Um, but yeah, last year, I. I totally didn't expect it to, you know, happen this fast. I knew the marriage bill is gonna pass at some stage, but definitely not this fast. So I would say, like, I was really happy about it. So [00:15:00] finally, equality. But, um, I think it doesn't mean that, um, like, homophobia, you know, like, um, discrimination against, um the queer community has disappeared. Definitely hasn't. They are still, like people that, um, you know, are quite against, you know, queer communities. But, um, it has definitely prove improved a lot. [00:15:30] Yes. Since last year. Yeah. Yeah. Like in the recent years, Did you watch the, um, of course I did. To celebrate. Of course. Yeah, yeah. Um, we had, um, an event like, um of the queer community. We went to this place in town, and, um, there was a big screen, and we're all watching it together. All the queer people and just waiting for the the last announcement, like 77. 44. [00:16:00] I think that was it wasn't it. Yeah, and everyone was just like, Whoa, and just all, like, jumped out and yeah, just all celebrating together. Yeah, some Some people, like, yeah, had tears. I was like, Yeah, I was just so excited. Yeah, it was, um, unforgettable moment. Have you been involved in, um, much activism or, um, any other kind of following politics in New Zealand around? Uh, mostly, [00:16:30] Yeah. Um, I think they are more, like, you know, um, protests and stuff in one as well here. Not very much. But, um, I do participate, and I write articles on, like, queer liberation and stuff. Yeah. And what are some of the things you've been involved at the moment? Um, queer Avengers? Yeah. What are they? They are a group of supportive people in the queer community. [00:17:00] Uh, yeah, not much. But, um, I have been to the events a couple of times. Yeah. And what was the last one called? Yeah, beyond. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. I went to that conference as well. Was it? What was that conference about? Oh, God, was it? Last year is just a lot about, like, gender and sexuality. And, um, like the queer community in family workplace, [00:17:30] Um, education. A lot of a lot of information. Yeah. Do you have any highlights, highlights or anything? You kind of really take away? I actually, like I went to the the parenting panel because I was really interested. I thought I was gonna have kids. And that's why I was like, Well, uh, yeah, it's just It just gave me a lot of, um, information on how, you know, as [00:18:00] a queer parent would do about the parenting and stuff And, um, like, and you know about, like, kids, you know, getting bullied in school and being in queer and that sort of things, Yeah. Queer politics. Yeah. Yeah. What do you think? Some of the most important important issues facing we train people in New Zealand are at the moment. Well, at the moment, it's just, um, like in in the general society. [00:18:30] Like how? Um, many people still can't accept it, and they are still being discriminated against. Yeah, Sometimes, as I said, it's it's getting better, but it still happens. Yeah. What do you think some of the solutions might be to that? Um, probably through more through social media and education. Yeah. How do you see social Media and could play just more, you know, advertising, like against, [00:19:00] you know, um, homophobia against transphobia And, you know, just more advertisement on that and about equality. Yeah. And more education on gender and sexuality. Yeah. Where do you think we might be able to be in 10 years time in 10 years time and say, um well, II, I can say I hope, um, for equality will be achieved. [00:19:30] And I think we will. Because as I said, like after Soviet Union, I thought, Yeah, it's gonna take a lot longer than that. But it didn't, so Yeah, hopefully, in 10 years, time for equality will be achieved. Yeah. Um, where do you think China might be in 10 years time? Well, I hope at least, um, same sex marriage will passed, and I think it will, because china, nowadays, [00:20:00] you know, is like, Well, um, we're catching up, and, you know, we're developing. We're going to be one of those, you know, developed countries soon, so Oh, look, you know, same sex marriage is pass in this country and the other country and the other country, we should do the same. So I say probably in 10 years time. It will be passed now. So, yeah. Um, if you could give a message, um, to a young person struggling to come out, [00:20:30] um, maybe another young person, Um, who's Chinese, or has that difficulty, Um, with their parents? Um, what would it be? Ok, um, if you're gay or Trans just come out because it's fun and free and awesome, and people still love me no matter what. So yeah, trust me. I came out to my Chinese parents, and they are sweet ass, so you'll be cool. Yeah, that's my message. What's your favourite thing about being a young, queer gender person [00:21:00] in New Zealand? Well, um, the thing I most appreciate is that I feel I feel I am being respected. Yeah, by people around me and by the society, like, Yeah, people still respect me, and that is really good. 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: 1970s ; 2010s ; Aotearoa New Zealand ; Asian ; Beyond conference (2013) ; Canterbury ; China ; Chinese ; Civil Union Act (2004) ; Events ; God ; Korea ; LGBT ; Marriage Amendment Act (2012) ; Marriage Equality ; People ; Rule Foundation ; South (series) ; Stuff ; Tabby Besley ; The Queer Avengers (Wellington) ; UniQ (Otago) ; Wellington ; access ; activism ; advertising ; belonging ; bigender ; binary ; books ; career ; change ; children ; church ; civil unions ; clubs ; coming out ; community ; conference ; connect ; culture ; difference ; discrimination ; dresses ; economics ; education ; equality ; facebook. com ; family ; femininity ; friends ; fun ; gay ; gender ; gender binary ; gender identity ; growing up ; homophobia ; hope ; identity ; internet ; journalism ; journey ; knowledge ; language ; lesbian ; liberation ; love ; mania ; marriage ; marriage equality ; media ; movies ; other ; parenting ; parents ; passing ; podcast ; politics ; queer ; racism ; reading ; respect ; school ; sex ; sexism ; sexual orientation ; sexuality ; shame ; shemale ; social ; social media ; social networking ; stereotypes ; straight ; study ; support ; time ; tough ; trans ; transgender ; transphobia ; trauma ; trust ; university ; women ; writing ; youth. The original recording can be heard at this website https://www.pridenz.com/south_wei.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.1089615. Please note that this document may contain errors or omissions - you should always refer back to the original recording to confirm content.