Des and John

This abstract summarizes an interview with Des Smith and John Jolliff, recorded on September 12, 2015, during the community event "Queer History in the Making." The discussion reflects on significant aspects of the LGBTQ+ community's history and its struggles for visibility and equality from the 1980s to the 2010s in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Des Smith and John Jolliff, notable for being one of the first couples in New Zealand to enter into a civil union in 2005 and later marry in 2015, share their experiences and perspectives on the evolving social landscape for queer individuals. They recount the importance of visibility in the fight for acceptance, referencing the room they are in, adorned with posters and magazines that document the community's past—including the challenges posed by HIV discrimination.

The couple stresses the enduring relevance of vigilance and visibility, highlighting how public awareness events and the broader historical context serve as reminders of the persistent need for advocacy. Despite societal advances, they touch upon the transient nature of openness and acceptance, suggesting a necessity for ongoing efforts to maintain progress.

The interview explores the personal significance of memorabilia and the recollection of shared experiences, such as attending weddings within the community. It candidly addresses the parallels and differences between queer and heterosexual relationships, especially regarding the vulnerability and dissolution of partnerships.

Des and John describe their own wedding at the Zealandia Sanctuary as a joyful and memorable occasion, which was followed by an extensive honeymoon traveling across the United States, France, and Spain. They discuss the impact of visible queer representation in public spaces, sharing that despite the progress made, they themselves do not typically engage in public displays of affection, reflecting broader societal norms and comfort levels.

The discussion reveals the couple's local celebrity status within their community, highlighting an instance where they were recognized during a school talk about sex education. They also note the lack of prevalent public affection amongst queer people in Wellington, with some exceptions for greetings or farewells.

The interview touches on the Gay and Lesbian Fair's history, where Des had played a pivotal role in its establishment and perseverance. The significance of allyship is exemplified as they recall the support received from community members, such as Elaine Lethbridge, in ensuring the event's continuity.

Des and John share their insights on the changes over the past 30 years since the Homosexual Law Reform Act, acknowledging improvements, especially for young people, but still recognizing the presence of homophobia and bullying. They express a nuanced understanding that visibility and advocacy can sometimes place pressure on individuals to represent their community positively.

Concluding the interview, they iterate the concept that everyone is a minority in their own way and that the queer community's experience of being a minority can be a source of strength and self-awareness.

The interview encapsulates a rich narrative of resilience, celebration, and the ongoing work toward queer equality, while also serving as a personal reflection on Des and John’s intimate journey as a couple in the broader context of New Zealand's social history.

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.

Des Smith John Jolliff

1980s, 1990s, 2010s, a.j. marsh, amanduh la whore, aotearoa new zealand, archives, bullying, community, des smith, devotion (wellington), elaine lethbridge, elders, history, hiv / aids, homophobia, homophobic bullying, homosexual law reform, homosexual law reform act (1986), individual, john jolliff, kim davis, lesbian and gay archives of new zealand (laganz), lesbian and gay fair, magazines, marriage, marriage equality, minority, national library of new zealand, newtown school, onslow college, posters, public affection, public display of affection (pda), queer history in the making (2015), relationships, school's out (wellington), vigilance, visibility, wellington, zealandia

affection, balance, canada, class, coming up, difference, discrimination, environment, farewell, fear, france, friends, fun, gay, god, headmaster, hell, heterosexual, holding hands, homosexual, homosexual law reform, hope, job, kissing, law, lesbian, library, love, nature, opportunity, other, paris, people, queer, rainbow, school, success, survey, walking, wedding, women, work