Media ID 0167-AB |
Television documentary (ca 1978) on homosexuality in New Zealand and an interview with Chris Piesse for Gay Pride Week (1978)
Unique ID | 1127797566-87 | ||||||||||||||||||
Speakers | Chris Piesse, Lindsay Perigo, Michael Wyatt, Simon Dixie, unidentified speakers | ||||||||||||||||||
Related media | 0169-B | ||||||||||||||||||
Details |
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Comments | Another version of Chris Piesse’s interview appears on 0169-B | ||||||||||||||||||
Disclaimer | This summary gives general themes as to the content of this recording. It is not a verbatim transcript. Always refer back to the original audio. This is a working document and any amendments/corrections are welcome. |
| “Prime Time” television documentary on homosexuality in New Zealand, broadcast a week after Gay Pride week (possibly 1978??). Introduced by Lindsay Perigo with Michael Wyatt, and Simon Dixie (?) |
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01:10 | Last week was Gay Pride week.. |
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01:40 | Margo (21) – I feel the need to inform people of my homosexuality |
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02:00 | Noel (37) – education of ignorant of heterosexuals |
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02:14 | Michael (33) – I’m concerned about the arrogance .. denying humanity |
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02:27 | Prue (29) – there as many gay women as there are gay men |
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02:35 | Simon (19) - there are no models for gay youngsters to look up to |
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03:00 | Pat (Simons mother) – most mothers suspect.. he was withdrawn.. half a person until he came out.. he wasn’t complete.. I was sad when he came out.. but I also said we were behind him fully.. perhaps I felt inadequate.. I have two other children they’re not gay.. homosexuality is normal for gay people.. I’d prefer him not to be homosexual.. |
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06:00 | Michael – I’m happy being me.. I don’t have a choice.. I have a choice to not be my gay self .. I was brought up with homosexuality not being an option.. I made a conscience choice to lead a gay lifestyle.. |
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07:20 | More tolerance.. I’d lose far too much if I were straight.. |
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08:00 | Noel - I’ve never had treatment.. it’s not a sickness.. I never worried about it.. as far as society was concerned I was already out of step (four years old before mother married).. |
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09:45 | Simon - A lot of kids at school have hassles.. |
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10:00 | Pat – the whole of society is putting you down.. coming out.. |
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10:20 | The hardest person to tell is yourself.. |
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10:50 | My mother attempted to get me help.. internalising guilt.. |
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11:40 | My parents reaction was to take me to a psychiatrist.. |
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12:30 | I’ve become a better person for being gay.. you become a complete person.. societal attitudes.. |
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13:40 | Ross (Prue’s ex-husband) I don’t think gay people are more susceptible to suicide, depression.. although coming out .. more mental trauma.. loss of pride.. I’m not gay.. I’ve learnt acceptance.. |
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16:00 | Prue – didn’t know I was gay when I got married.. restraints in marriage.. I spent a lot of time thinking about Women’s Liberation.. I just sort of got to thinking.. |
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18:20 | Ross – it was close to two years before we separated.. our relationship has grown since we’ve stopped living together.. |
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20:00 | What other problems.. |
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20:13 | We’ve all experienced verbal abuse.. been chased down the street.. a lot of New Zealand males have the potential of being poofter bashers.. it brings fear.. |
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22:00 | Some are beaten up soliciting in public places.. Christchurch.. corruption of children.. is it part of being gay.. |
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23:40 | Gay teachers – should parents be worried.. more corruption of young girls.. |
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24:10 | I believe they are very good teachers.. sexuality has nothing to do with it.. |
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25:10 | Gay Pride week.. saying I’m OK.. most gay people are ashamed to be gay.. it’s easier for a young person today to come out.. |
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26:10 | Prue – they can be full people.. they can be anything.. more freedoms.. |
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27:00 | Prime Time music |
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| 1XI radio station |
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27:44 | music track – ABBA – money, money, money |
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** | Interview with Chris Piesse (president of the Auckland University Gay Liberation) for Gay Pride Week interviewed by Kevin Black (?) (1978, Radio Hauraki). Another version of this audio appears on 0169-B. |
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31:00 | Introduction to Chris Piesse |
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31:30 | Piesse - Gay Liberation is a political/social organisation.. making society aware.. |
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32:00 | Piesse – Kinsey put the gay population between 4-10%.. 37% of the male population have had at least one homosexual experience.. the law is blatantly discriminatory .. beaten up.. blackmailed.. evicted.. |
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33:00 | Piesse – we’re just human beings.. most of us you wouldn’t recognise.. the worst form of discrimination is the stereotype – limp wristed.. or butch dykes.. |
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34:20 | Piesse - it just develops in you .. I’ve been gay for a long time.. only accepted it in the last couple of years.. |
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35:10 | Piesse – it’s never quite as bad as they thought it would be .. if parents really love their children they’ll still love them.. |
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35:30 | Homosexual marriage.. |
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36:00 | Piesse – Marriage is a legal bond between two people.. personally I don’t see the difference.. a lot of gay people are living in long-term relationships.. |
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37:00 | music track – Werewolf’s of London |
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40:00 | radio adverts |
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41:45 | Piesse - Where can they get counselling.. Gay Welfare Group.. we’d like a society where anybody can express their sexuality .. stop tramping on other people.. the middle-class is the most prejudice .. Christian ideals.. Gay Rights seems to be a very Christian ideal.. love thy neighbour.. |
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44:20 | Piesse – Blue Jeans Day on Friday.. Friday night march down Queen Street.. |
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45:50 | Tom Robinson song – dedication to the World Health Organisation, medical definition 302.0 - ‘Sing if you’re glad to be gay’ |
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50:40 | News item on Blue Jeans Day |
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