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Reflections: Kevin and Jonathan, banned in Taihape

Fri 17 Dec 2004 In: True Stories

Jonathan responsible for several years of Big Gay Outs, and most recently Queen of the Whole Pacific. He was one of the first gay men to be out as HIV+, and became an icon for that community, as chair of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Sadly, he is one of the very few men who has been openly living with HIV in New Zealand who is still alive. Kevin's extensive work with the Foundation has seen him go from HIV counsellor, to director of the Gay Men's Positive Health programme in the last few years. And of course, together they make the irrepressible drag duo Buffy we're on the verge of being women, but also taking the mickey out of drag. We're the only drag queens in New Zealand that can put on a 2-hour show. None of the other drag queens can do it.” “Until Finale and Caluzzi came along, and started doing their packages, they've been very successful,” adds Kevin. The couple are excited at the prospect of starting a new life, but there's the inevitable apprehension and sadness hanging in the air, along with a feeling of a weight being lifted. “There's stuff bubbling away, unsettled, which does affect your sleep some nights,” says Kevin. “But it feels like we're letting go of a lot of baggage and a lot of stuff that defines you. So we're selling up our house and all our furniture and taking just a few personal effects, and Buffy    Chris Banks - 17th December 2004

Credit: Chris Banks

First published: Friday, 17th December 2004 - 12:00pm

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