Carmen Rupe (1991)

This abstract summarizes a 1991 audio recording of an interview with Carmen Rupe, conducted by Jack Body at Carmen's apartment in Kings Cross, Sydney. The recording spans a duration of over an hour, focusing on Carmen Rupe's personal life and experiences from the 1970s through to the 1990s.

In the interview, Carmen discusses the origins of their name, deriving from the film "The Loves of Carmen" featuring Rita Hayworth. Starting in the 1950s, Carmen became a prominent figure within the Auckland gay community, participating in numerous camp and sailor parties, and adopting the stage name Carmen after being encouraged by friends. Despite not being a professional dancer initially, Carmen eventually began performing various dance forms at local parties and events.

Carmen recalls their early days working in a clothing factory, performing dances at the factory parties, and seizing opportunities to entertain at different venues. Their talent blossomed, leading to performances in Sydney, where they became known as a dancer and impersonator. They learned belly dancing, snake dancing, and striptease from various friends, taking these acts back to New Zealand.

The interview reveals complications such as being prohibited from using snakes in their performances in New Zealand for a time. Carmen illustrates the intricacies of dancing with snakes — from handling them to dealing with wardrobe malfunctions mid-performance. They recount a unique incident where having pet snakes at their door deterred potential burglars.

Carmen also speaks about cultural elements, including their pride in performing Maori dances, sharing appreciation for those who taught them. They reflect on the influence of Hollywood stars and characters — like Mata Hari, Salome, and Cobra Woman — on Carmen's persona and acts.

As an entrepreneur, Carmen opened a coffee bar and nightclub, balancing the varied tastes of their audience by incorporating different types of entertainment. This groundbreaking approach catered to a diverse clientele, including male strippers, drag queens, transgender individuals, and cisgender performers, pioneering in the space of inclusive entertainment offerings.

In the interview, Carmen openly discusses their identity as a transsexual and their decision against complete sex reassignment surgery. They touch upon personal experiences with love and sex, candidly revealing preferences and frank discussions about relationships with men, both in the context of work and pleasure.

Towards the end of the conversation, Carmen addresses issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, including the impact of HIV/AIDS, the struggles of street kids, and the importance of services like needle exchange programs and charitable assistance.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Carmen Rupe

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