Information on Carmen Rupe

Carmen Rupe, a trailblazing transgender woman, performer, and celebrated LGBTIQ+ icon, was a significant figure in the history of New Zealand and Australia's LGBTI communities. Born on October 10, 1936, in Waimiha, New Zealand, Carmen was the child of Elsie Tekahukete Wilson and John Edward Rupe. She grew up in a Māori family, surrounded by a rich cultural environment that included te reo Māori, traditional practices, and a close-knit extended family. Carmen dreamed of being female from a young age and accepted her sexual attraction to men without worry.

Carmen left school at 15, working in various roles before exploring the lively 'camp' social scene in Auckland, where she discovered drag queens and began cross-dressing in public. By the age of 21, she was experimenting with paid sex work and chose the name Carmen, inspired by silver-screen icons. She moved to Sydney in 1959, where she continued her work as an entertainer and sex worker, despite facing police brutality and societal intolerance.

In the early 1960s, Carmen returned to Wellington, where she faced legal challenges, including imprisonment, for her involvement in brothels. She moved to Auckland where she began performing as an exotic dancer in Auckland. A significant moment in Carmen's life was in 1966 when she was arrested for wearing women's clothing, leading to a landmark ruling that wearing clothing of the opposite sex was not illegal. This ruling was a win for the trans community. Carmen legally changed her name to Carmen Tione Rupe in 1968 and began physical transformation with hormones and surgery.

Carmen's entrepreneurial spirit shone through her opening of several coffee lounges, brothels, and a nightclub in Wellington. Her establishments, known for their eclectic and exotic decor, became popular attractions and safe spaces for the LGBTIQ+ community. They also became the center of media attention and police scrutiny.

In the mid-1970s, Carmen used her celebrity status to support community initiatives, including fundraising and advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights. She famously stood for the mayor of Wellington in 1977, pushing the boundaries of local politics with her progressive agenda. Carmen eventually moved back to Sydney, where she continued her advocacy and became a respected figure in the community, receiving several awards and recognitions for her contributions.

Carmen Rupe's legacy as a trailblazing figure in the LGBTIQ+ community remains strong. She has been cited as a role model by prominent figures, and her life has been commemorated in various ways, including through film and public memorials.

Further information can be found at:

• wikipedia.org