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Overview
This shirt was worn by the Amazon Softball team during the 2000s as part of their uniform. It has a modern design and is constructed from blue polyester material with white mesh running down the sides, which would have been lightweight and comfortable to wear. “Amazons” is printed across the front with the teams logo consisting of an A and a double-headed sword (labrys).This represents lesbian and feminist strength together with self sufficiency and has been used as a lesbian symbol since the late 1970s. Around this symbol is written “Amazon Softball Inc” and underneath is “Wellington, “Te Whanganui-a-tara, Aotearoa”. On the back is the player’s number “46”.
The shirt is part of a collection of objects that represents the Amazons 30 year presence in New Zealand. The collection spans the team’s history beginning in 1977, when the fight for gay liberation and homosexual law reform were in their prime, until they disbanded in 2011. Lesbian women joined this team for solidarity and to socialise with like-minded people. The Amazon Softball team was an integral part of the gay rights and gay pride movement in New Zealand.