Wed 30 Mar 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
It has been confirmed that Carmen Rupe will once again light up the streets of Wellington, as council approves four pedestrian lights in her honour. Photo: David White / Fairfax Wednesday’s confirmation has come just in time for the International Transgender Day of Visibility today and the lights will be in action in just a few weeks, providing they pass a safety audit. The legendary performer took the name Carmen from Dorothy Dandridge's character in the movie Carmen Jones and was Australia's first ever Maori drag performer, eventually vowing to give up men's clothes forever. An entrepreneur, Carmen paved the way for many in the LGBTI communities and sadly passed away in 2011 from kidney failure. Alongside Carmen, Wellington will also soon have pedestrian lights in the outline of Kate Sheppard installed around the Parliament buildings . The Carmen pedestrian light is thought to be the first traffic light featuring a transgender icon in the world.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 30th March 2016 - 9:02pm