Carmen Doco Followed by Paewhiri Kōrero On Gender Identity

A Festival inspired by Wellington’s rich history of queer fairs and festivals. 2020 will mark the 34th Out in the Park, Wellington’s queer fair since 1986.

Celebrate cultural icon Carmen Rupe
Celebrate cultural icon Carmen Rupe in 1989 documentary ‘Carmen’. Learn the story of a vivacious performer, businesswoman, brothel keeper, LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS activist.

‘Carmen: the documentary’ profiles one of New Zealand’s most flamboyant and well know trans identities and advocates. In a candid open discussion with Carmen she walks and talks us through her early days living in Taumarunui through to her heydays in the entertainment industry.

‘Carmen: the documentary’ was produced and directed by Geoff Steven. Screening by kind permission of Geoff Steven.

Dynamic discussion
Following the film, there will be a dynamic discussion from a panel featuring Taupuruariki Brightwell, Peri and Karen Te Wao Richard Tankersley, and Tuiloma Lina Samu on gender diversity, sexuality and identity.

This event is hosted in partnership with Te Puna Mātauranga The National Library as part of Wellington’s Pride Week events.

About the panel:
Panel Facilitator: Gareth Seymore grew up in Tokoroa. After school he studied in Tāmaki Makaurau and Kirikiriroa and now lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. In four years at Ngā Taonga he has worked in a variety of roles supporting the contract with Te Māngai Pāho, and now holds the role of Pouwhakahaere, Kaupapa Māori.

Karen & Peri Te Wao say you know you’re getting old when you appear in an iconic photo collage owned by Chrissy Witoko, displayed in her Evergreen Coffee Lounge in Vivian Street, Wellington. Like Carmen, Chrissy supported many people from all walks. She also enjoyed capturing history of the rainbow community in her way and displayed them proudly to anyone who entered her business premises. In a way, that is also what we are about. We are kind people who celebrate our communities (Tapatoru and Tātou), in our way.

Taupuruariki (Ariki) Brightwell (Rongowhakaata, Ngati Maru, Te Whanau a Ruataupare, Te Arawa, Tuwharetoa, Ngati Toa, Ngati Raukawa. Nga motu o Tahiti) is an Takatapui Indigenous artist of Maori, Rarotonga and Tahitian descent. She devotes herself to art and storytelling, revolving around her history and tipuna. She is the 27th generation of an unbroken line of artists.

Tuiloma Lina-Jodi Vaine Samu (she/ her) is a Samoan woman born in Aotearoa New Zealand. She was born, raised, educated and lived in Ōtahūhū and Mangere, South Auckland. She is the fifth child of 6 children of the late Tuiloma Molipopo Samu nee Iusitini of Sapunaoa, Falealili & Pu’apu’a Savai’I, Samoa and Leatufale Lila Samu of Salelesi and Faleula, Upolu Samoa.

Formerly employed at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the NZ Human Rights Commission based in Auckland, she has now moved to Whanganui-ā-Tara to work at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples as Principal Advisor for its newly established Pacific Languages Revitalisation Unit (putting to use her doctoral research).

Richard Tankersleyis currently Principal Maori Advisor at the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners. From 2008 to 2017 he held the position of Human Rights Commissioner where his areas of experience were sexual orientation, gender identify and sex characteristics. For over 20 years Richard was the Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Facilitator at Matariki Services Ltd.

Image still from ‘Carmen’. Used with permission of Geoff Steven.