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Well, I'm Cindy Lewis, and I come from Hamilton. And, um, I was at a in Wellington with the Human Rights Commission, and they asked for people to come down, and I put my name in, And, um, that's how I got involved Now. You were doing a session yesterday. Can you tell me about that? Yeah, well, I put in a submission to show my digital story that was made in association with the, um, assume nothing exhibition that was [00:00:30] held in Hamilton in the latter part of 19 09. And, um, we went to the University of Waikato, and the students made the story for us. Can you tell me a wee bit about that story? It was just a story about my life. Um, when I transitioned from male to female and, um and just how I've been having a lot of fun since doing that story. Was that the first kind [00:01:00] of public outing that you you had done? No, not really. I've done quite. I go, I'm full time out, and I go, I help on the balloons over Waikato as a crew and I go down the Victoria Street all dressed up in the parade. They have, uh I'm doing that next next week or a week after What was what was doing that digital story like? It was amazing. I didn't know what [00:01:30] a digital story was all about. And, um, we were shown some digital stories, and we were amazed at the quality that they gave and, um, going to the university and was quite an honour. And, um, to have two students with us. Uh, they never knew anything about transgender. And, um, it was an eye opener for them, But we became good friends and, uh, another student that [00:02:00] was with another friend of mine. She ended up making a, uh, two short, uh, 32nd ads for her master's degree. Last year. What was the most challenging thing about doing those digital stories? Well, nothing really challenging. It was just just, uh uh, We just, uh, had to, um, write our own script. And in three minutes, like a three minute long And, uh, yeah, [00:02:30] that's about it. Uh, and then just going to the university. I guess what I was thinking was because they're actually quite personal digital stories, aren't they to to actually kind of put yourself out there for anyone to see. How? How did you find that? I don't mind. Um I'm quite happy to tell my story to anyone that wants to listen. Um, there's so much, um uh, violence and that towards some of our girls that the more people that know our story, that's the better [00:03:00] for everyone. So to the conference, How did you find, uh, in the session yesterday Where, uh, you were presenting? How was that for you? Um, I get nervous when I get up in front of a lot of crowd, but, um, I I enjoyed it. Um, it's always a privilege to be able to show that story and and, um, see what can be done in the digital field. [00:03:30] And what kind of feedback did you get? Plenty. Plenty. And it was all positive. Um, we came up and said, What a great story. And evenly. It's helped a lot of people. Um, it has been shown. I've even shown it to the, uh, DO in Hamilton. And we have a meeting with them. That's the police. And, um, we've shown it there, and I showed it at the, uh, diverse exit. Um, conference in [00:04:00] last year. Uh, it has been shown around the country. Did you attend the transgender Hui, which was just before the conference? Yes, I did. And what an amazing event. There are over 100 transgender people there the first time I've ever seen so many. And of course, they were all from all over all parts of the world. What was the the? The thing that made the biggest impact on you and just seeing the the crowd and the [00:04:30] and the, um, socialising with them. Um, I I've made a lot of friends, especially here from India. Um, we quite exchange cards, and, uh, most probably will be in contact with them later on. What do you think the best part about these type of conferences is it's a great place to come and share your knowledge and possibly help others that want to go the same direction. [00:05:00] Um, it's not an easy road to go through. Um, uh, it's a lot of There's a lot of finance involved. We don't get any government funding. Um, so gets quite expensive. Especially if people want to have the operation. It means an overseas trip for a start. What are some of the other trends issues that are currently in New Zealand. A lot of there is, um, the violence. Um, the law is not quite [00:05:30] up to scratch. Um, to have to We're trying to, uh, get part of the law changed to include gender identity in the Human Rights Act. And, um, there's a few other I just can't think of off the cuff, but, um, yeah, it's happening. And after the, um, human Rights Commission put out the the book to be who I am, a few changes have been made already with the law. [00:06:00] What were those changes? Um, well, they changed the way we can have our birth certificate changed. Um, well, just bit hard to remember now without having to look at all. Well, I have changed my birth certificate, but that was quite expensive. But now you can do it a lot cheaper. So what's it like living in Hamilton? A lot of fun. Um, I've [00:06:30] been accepted. Um, there are a few others in Hamilton, and, um, yeah, uh, I belong to the worker Men's Club, and there's 6000 members there, and I had literally transitioned in there, and, um no problem. There were problems. Of course. The old story is used in the toilet. That is one of the main issues that we have And that after people got to realise that I was [00:07:00] a female now and don't have any more trouble from this conference. What? What will you take away from it? A great sense of, uh um, you know, social, Um, and being able to go and tell others what a great, um life we have with and that we're not alone. Um, there's so many 100 out there. Um and we're just seeing a very [00:07:30] small portion of of those around, and it's not very well. It gives me a great thrill to be able to be here and then go home and tell everyone what it was like. It was great. If somebody is listening to this tape in 30 years time, what would you like to say to them? Keep going and just head up and carry on, OK?
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