Toni Farrow The new Queen of Vinegar Hill is a Queen City lesbian who runs a women's retro party night and hungers for strawberries and cream. Who are you and what's your background? My full name is Toni Louise Farrow, born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1972 I have lived in almost every part of Auckland since then. Even though I enjoy traveling overseas as often as possible I will always be happiest at home. My star sign is cancer, and I'm a true cancer, very anal, loyal to my friends and proud of my home. My mother is alive and well and spends most of her life dodging winters, I have one younger sister who has a soon to be 4-year old son, all of whom I love deeply. My father died, when I was 14, of cancer, a very hard time for all of us however I believe it has made me the person I am today. I was in the public school system from 5 years till 16 when I left in 7th form to study at ATI. I am now studying business at Unitec as well as working as a nanny educator for 3 lovely kids in Pt Chev. My partner, Chris, and I are currently living with our four fur-kids in Titirangi, completely surrounded by native bush. During our spare time we run the women's retro night at KAMO in Auckland, I manage one of Auckland's lesbian softball teams and enjoy private time out. How does it feel to be the first Auckland lesbian crowned Queen of Vinegar Hill? Mmmmmmmmmmm... well it actually feels great. It's not so much about being the first Auckland woman – more the honour of being only the second woman voted as Queen in the 28 year history of Vinegar Hill. I feel very supported in my role as the reigning queen and it was reassuring to be congratulated by men and women old and new, and by past queens. What characterises the NZ GLBT community for you? We are all so different in so many ways however we all grouped together under one “label.” I think of ourselves as a kind of small city. All living our own lives completely separate or interlocked with others from our community. When certain events or situations happen we come together as one and stand strong. What's the worst thing for you about being GLBT? The only bad thing I can think of is probably booking into a hotel and having to explain more than once that we are together and only require the one bed thanks. Best thing? Is loving and being loved by everyone I choose to surround myself with. Relationship status? Loving partner of over 4 years. Favourite food and drink? Food would have to be ice cream with fresh berries and drink well it would be a toss between Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Corona... depending on mood and weather. Worst habit? Being far too over-protective of my cats. Most noble feature? Spending endless hours making the surface of my daily life as perfect as possible, and being anal, as well as being a f...ken comedian. Favourite TV show/movie? TV show would have to be a toss up between The Amazing Race and The Apprentice and movie at the moment would have to be Ocean's 12. Qualities you most appreciate in a GLBT person? Honesty and companionship, as well as being a f…ken comedian. What are you reading at the moment? A very sad book called My Sisters Keeper Who in the world including NZ would you most like to have coffee and a chat with? Madonna, she would be so interesting to have a chat with and if Melissa Etheridge happened to walk in while I was there I would most definitely get her a chair. Role models? Mmmmmm, that's a tricky one, don't really have one but I suppose if we are talking about people who when they talk I listen, it would most probably be my long time friend Deb Stanaway. What is the most pressing issue currently facing the New Zealand GLBT community? Well that would have to be Civil Unions, as far as I'm concerned as long as everyone has the same rights we are on the right track. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? That everyone appreciated a f..ken comedian! GayNZ.com - 18th January 2005