Lesbian organising

In this lecture by Dr. Alison Laurie, recorded on January 12, 2011, the focus is on lesbian organizing in New Zealand, with a special emphasis on differentiating it from the male gay organizing initiatives. Dr. Laurie, once the director of the Gender and Women's Studies Programme at Victoria University of Wellington and a passionate activist and writer, provides valuable insights into the unique challenges and historical context surrounding lesbian organizing during the 1970s.

The presentation begins with a discourse on the pre-European contact period in New Zealand, detailing the position of women in Maori society as relatively equal to men, with ownership rights and social equality. This status, however, deteriorated with the introduction of European patriarchal laws that reduced women to marital property, a concept entrenched in society until progressive legal reforms such as the Married Women's Property Act of 1885.

Despite legal advancements in women's rights, including New Zealand being the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893 and to participate in university education, societal attitudes toward women lagged behind. These old perceptions proved particularly problematic for lesbians, as they faced additional layers of discrimination and social stigma.

The formation of lesbian social networks, which included private parties, hotel bars, coffee bars, and various clubs, provided the initial venues for lesbian encounters in the post-war era. However, it wasn't until the late 1960s that dedicated lesbian organizing took root with the inception of the women's liberation movement, a worldwide feminist wave, which spurred political consciousness and activism.

Differentiating from organizations inclusive of gay men, exclusive lesbian groups began to form. These sprung from gay women involved in gay liberation, participants from sporting networks, and the fissures arising from lesbiphobia from heterosexual women in feminist circles. Some notable organizations included the Sisters for Homophile Equality and specific clubs in major cities such as Club 41 in Wellington and the KG Club in Auckland. Lesbian feminism crystallized as these groups sought to address specific issues affecting lesbians, ranging from social to political landscapes.

During the 1970s, there was a swell in political energy, reminiscent of historical revolutionary periods, where activists genuinely believed in the possibility of transforming society. As a decade marked by intense activism, the 1970s facilitated the rise and decline of numerous lesbian organizing bodies.

From the late 1970s onwards, various groups were formed that focused on different aspects of the lesbian experience, from social gatherings to advocacy, such as the Wellington Lesbian Network. The establishment of lesbian centers, like the ones at Boulcott Street and later Cuba Street, provided focal points for community organization.

Throughout the 1980s, the number and scope of lesbian organizations grew. Communication channels expanded to include lesbian phone lines, radio broadcasts like Access Radio in Wellington, and several newsletters and magazines. The accessibility of information and ideas became integral for lesbians exploring their identity and looking for community.

However, the momentum seemed to recede post-Homosexual Law Reform, when economic hardships dictated a shift in focus away from activism towards individual economic stability. The future remains uncertain, with newer generations leaning towards different forms of self-identification, away from traditional labels.

The historical reflection on this period reveals significant advances in the organization and visibility of the lesbian community in New Zealand, attesting to the change achieved from the grassroots collective efforts in prior decades.

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.

Alison Laurie

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