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My name is a, uh I'm originally from Gisborne. Um, been living in Wellington for about 10 years now, Uh, I've loved the place and, um, yeah, I never, never got tired of it. It's a lovely community. So, um, where we are, we're on, um, 17 Tory street. So that's right in the heart of Wellington. And, um, 17 Tory Street is a public gallery, and, um, they lead their spaces to artists and, um, people who run certain communities. So it's Yeah, [00:00:30] it's all around. And today is a very special event. Can you tell me about that? So, um, what's happening today is that we are setting up for our, um first, um, transform second hand store sale organised by me and, uh, yeah, um, it's gonna right now, we've got some a lot of donations, a lot of volunteers, and, you know, it's It just shows the heart and the love from the Wellington community. What has transformed. So, um, transform is a, um it's a social and support group [00:01:00] for, um, transgender and gender diverse youth. So, um, essentially, um, because of the lack of information there is with the DH B and other um GPS and, um, practitioners. Um, people come to us, we all band together and share. Um, the knowledge we've learned and information that we've learned on how to deal with the system and other things people may have trouble with. So, yeah, we mainly assist with those things. And, um, we, uh we usually, um, have [00:01:30] our sessions at a world youth clinic. So where did transform come from? So transform is, um, pretty much from Wellington. It started in Wellington, Um, roughly almost 10 years ago, Um, by an individual. Um, her name is, uh, Brooklyn. Michelle, Um, a trans woman who came from the United States. And so, um, she's been living here pretty much around the same time. And so, um, she found that there was no nothing much around at the [00:02:00] time. So she founded the group, and it's been going ever since. You've got a really informative website with a lot of resources. Can you tell me about some of the things that you offer? Ah, yes. So, um, our website is pretty much like a collaboration, so we all get together and all the we we usually brainstorm ideas with the group and the facilitators. And so the information is, um, revolves around safety. Um, where's the best place to find where you need to go? Because everyone's journey is different. And so, essentially, [00:02:30] it's full of information. Say, um, which practitioners to go to which psychiatrist to go to and counsellors and so on and who not to go to in terms of, um, people's experience and what they came out of that it's also, you know, um, it also links to us as a group, and people want to get in touch with us, they can find us through the website, and, yeah, and, um, we can progress from there. One of the resources I've seen on the site is about, um, shopping experiences for clothing. Can you talk to me about some of the issues that that that people [00:03:00] face when they're shopping? Yes. So, um, we have run sessions where we talked about this topic, and, um, yeah, many do find it very difficult, um, to enter the stores and shop for clothing that that suits their identity. Um, we found that, you know, either the staff members, um, you know, are unaware, um, unaware about, um, gender identity and you know, and And what the pronouns are, Um, we also have stores where? Yeah, it can be quite awkward and and, [00:03:30] you know, and and and sometimes insulting. So, um, what we really do here is, like, we usually come up with information or advice or probably like, um, stores to go to, um and, you know, and usually the advice we would give is, like, if you do feel quite uncomfortable, you either, um, look us up and see which stores we recommend in the Wellington region. Or, um, it's best to take a French. And, um, I also, um, started doing like, field trips. Um, at the [00:04:00] time, Um, of course we got, um and we use some of that funding to do, um, second hand clothing trips. So that was one of our ways around it. So we we go as a group of people, um, you know, we're all comfortable with each other, and so we go to a store, and we, uh, we're all there for advice, and it's a lot more safer over the environment. So I think the the issue there is pretty much safety as well in the stores and feeling comfortable with how you're treated because a lot of times it can be very, [00:04:30] um, very rough. So what would your advice be to a shop owner in terms of how do you make people comfortable, And how do you make people safe? Um, I guess it comes down to good customer service. You know, um, treat. Treat them with respect. You know, don't be afraid to ask for their pronouns, you know, if you're unsure, because that's that's, um, something we always taught from the get go. You know, when someone asks, asks you, um for your pronoun if you're then she here, um, it's it's it's always good to ask, and it's [00:05:00] quite respectful. And it's to it's to avoid upsetting that individual. And, um, you know, do not don't judge the, um, an individual what they choose to wear, because that individual is trying to find what suits them, regardless of the type of clothing it is. Yeah, be open. So is this sale that you're setting up for tomorrow? Is this a response to the need for for people to find safe places to go and purchase clothing? Yeah, in a way, yes. Um, it's kind of like, um, two [00:05:30] birds with one stone. So yeah, in a way, it is, um, a setting up, like an environment where everyone's welcome to, you know, spend time and pick what they want, Um, and surrounded by people, you know, that will, um, that understand and are deeply respectful their decisions. And it is also, um, a fundraiser for the group to allow us to continue with these activities. And since this is the first one, I'm very excited how it's going to go tomorrow. And I do plan on doing one [00:06:00] next year as well. At some point, can you describe, um, the the the the the amount of clothing. I mean, you've got so much in the space at the moment. So, like, where did it all come from And and describe some of the clothing. Well, um, the types of clothing we have, we have, um, quite a broad range, all shapes and sizes and styles. And, um, you know, we we make we make the effort not to categorise clothing in respective genders, you know, like men and women. So we go by, um, Fein [00:06:30] and masculine and you know, so that's more based on the style of the clothing. Um and so, Yeah, everything really came from the Wellington community. So So were you expecting this amount of clothing? Uh, no, I wasn't. I was very surprised on the amount that kept coming in. It was like a whole torrent of clothing. And, um, we were meant to get a, um an entire, um, bundle of clothing from the opportunity store with the colour, But I had to cancel that. [00:07:00] And, um yeah, I. I sorted through, um, most of the bags myself during the months to come. Um, because all the other facilitators in the groups are quite busy doing their part in the group. So, yeah, this was my sole responsibility. And, um yeah. No, I just absolutely love it. How many items do you think there are? Hard to say. Hey, what do you guys reckon? Um, thousands. Yeah, hundreds, thousands. [00:07:30] Um, there's there's a lot to go around, and we got a lot of pants, a lot, a lot of pants. Yeah, and dresses and jerseys and jackets. Those are the the majority. So yeah. Um, yeah. So So can you talk to me a wee bit about um, the importance of safe spaces like like this, For instance. Um, the importance of a safe space is to be able to, you know, be in an environment where you're comfortable to be here, [00:08:00] Um, without the fear of being judged or any negative reaction which can happen in the public. Unfortunately, um, my I, I believe you know that we shouldn't be in a society where we, you know, have to develop the safe spaces, you know, to feel safe. But unfortunately, and you know how society thinks and how things go. Um, it's crucial that we set things up. Um, because it also gives the individual the time to, um recollect and and [00:08:30] think about where they at and also to, um, have conversations and ask questions that they could never do in public, either with their friends or families. And, um, and by doing it, it creates a great opportunity to learn more and and gain more confidence in oneself and give them the strength to take on the outside world when they're ready. And also, if anything happens, there's a, um, there's always that safe point they can return to, you know, for more advice and and help if they need to. So what's drawn you [00:09:00] into, um, setting up events like this and and being so active in the community? Well, for starters, I'm living in Wellington for almost 10 years. I, I absolutely love this place. Um, I love the community. And, um, I've been, um, volunteering, um, at a second hand store, um, opportunities for animals for two years now, Um, and I really fell in love with, you know, um, making my part in the community and helping out and raising funds for [00:09:30] a good cause and a a lovely organisation. So, yeah, that's, um that's what really inspired me to do this line of work as well. Um, and because I wanted to use the skills I learned from my volunteer work and apply it to, um, helping, you know, um, the group I I facilitate for and gather the funds so we can continue helping. So how long have you been involved with the transform? I've been involved with the transform for roughly three years now. [00:10:00] Yeah, and what drew you to the group? Well, that's that's a good question. Uh, so I was when What kind of drew me to the group is that I was told about it, um, during my early days of transitioning so because when when I first came out? Yeah. I, um luckily, I had some individuals that were in the LGBT community, which helped me. Um and then from there I was led to the group and then from the group. I've I've stuck with them ever since and and they've helped me tremendously [00:10:30] with my journey and to get me where I'm at. And that's why I became a facilitator and and the representative will transform later down the line because when I see, um, new people coming into the group that are going through the same issues uh, it's a very personal thing for me, and I understand deeply what they're going through, and so I just It's just my way of returning the favour. So the group's really helped me get through it. And so now I want to Yeah, help them back. So over the period you've worked with transform and the number of people [00:11:00] that you've you've, um, had in contact with Are the experiences similar over time, or is it harder now than it was three years ago. Is it easier now? Um, yeah, there are. There are similar experiences over time. Uh, but it always in the end, everyone's very different. Um, the journey is similar, but everyone's story is completely different. And the way they get there, um, is is completely different. Um, but what we can relate is what What we can relate [00:11:30] to is, like what it feels like, You know, um, what you what you're going through? And, um, just making that connection. And I think for me, I'm I'm in a position now where I am. Um I have the strength to, um, take all that on board and and help people out because, um, like I said, what the group did to me to get where I'm at, Yeah, has allowed me to do that. We We talked, um, earlier about some of the stores in Wellington. And I'm wondering, are there specific stores that you would like to kind of applaud in terms of their [00:12:00] their openness? Oh, absolutely. Um, opportunities for animals. Um, so I said, Yeah, I've been volunteering at them for a while now, and they are, uh, fantastic. I find them one of the the best second hand stores in Wellington. Um, because it's not only that they are placed in parts of Wellington with such a diverse, multicultural community. Um, you know, we're very friendly, and, you know, we don't really, um, stay inside the box. You know, we try things we laid back and, [00:12:30] you know, and we sell clothing at very affordable prices. So and And also, you know, unjudgmental group everyone's welcome to come in and participate and volunteer for us. Yeah. In this event, do you think this will be a regular thing? An annual event? Uh, yeah. Um, I plan. I plan to down the line. You know, um, depending on how, um, today's event goes, Yeah, um, there probably will be another, um, second hand trading event. Um, next [00:13:00] year at some point, Uh, when I get this time to organising it and probably during the height of the summer season will probably be a good idea. Yeah, but I also forgot to say as well, um, many of the resources, the hangers and the racks, and also, um, the assistance I've got to set this up. Um, did come from the, um, opportunities for animals as well, so I can't thank them enough. And one thing we haven't mentioned is actually, uh, the the opening hours for the the event tomorrow. When is that? Uh, So we are opening, um, Sunday, the 23rd, Um, [00:13:30] we're opening at nine in the morning and closing at five. And we have, um we have plenty of the sale and at very, very affordable prices, it's a steal.
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