Information on Freda Stark

Freda Beatrice Stark, a seminal figure in New Zealand's LGBTI history, led a life that interwove personal intrigue, societal challenges, and artistic expression in an era when LGBTI identities were heavily stigmatized. Born on March 27, 1910, Stark's journey as a dancer and her lesbian relationships offer a captivating glimpse into the complexities of LGBTI lives in mid-20th century New Zealand.

Stark's most notable and controversial relationship was with actress Thelma Trott. They met in 1933, during Stark's early career in dance. Stark joined Ernest Rolls' revue in 1933 and was part of the chorus in the "Duchess of Danitz," where Trott starred. The two women fell in love, a development that continued even after Trott married Eric Mareo, their conductor, in 1934. This intricate dynamic took a tragic turn in 1935 when Trott died from a fatal overdose of the prescription drug Veronal under unexplained circumstances. Mareo was charged with Trott's murder, leading to a sensational case that put Stark in the spotlight.

At the trial, Stark's intimate relationship with Trott was exposed, marking a significant moment in New Zealand's LGBTI history. Stark, who was a prosecution witness at Mareo's trial, had to endure being outed as a lesbian. The trial also involved the reproduction of nude photographs of Stark, adding to the scandalous nature of the proceedings. Stark's testimony and her openness about her sexuality were significant given the era's conservative views on LGBTI identities.

During World War II, Stark worked as a clerical worker at the Colonial Ammunition Company by day, and by night, she was a famed exotic dancer at Auckland's Wintergarden cabaret and nightclub. Her performances, often clad only in a feather headdress, a G-string, and gold body paint, earned her the title "Fever of the Fleet" from the American troops stationed in New Zealand. Stark's acts were not just entertainment; they symbolized a form of sexual liberation and defiance of conventional norms during a time of global upheaval.

After the war, Stark's life took another turn. She moved to London, where she met and married Harold Robinson, a New Zealand-born dancer who was also a gay man. Their marriage, which lasted until 1973, was unconventional, ending by mutual consent while they remained close friends. Stark's time in the United Kingdom included starring in the art film "Curves and Contrasts" (1947) before her permanent return to New Zealand in 1970, where she worked as a secretary at the University of Auckland.

Stark's legacy was reinvigorated in the 1990s, with a renewed interest in her life and career. This period saw the celebration of her life in the biography "Freda Stark: Her Extraordinary Life" and in the documentary "The Mighty Civic" (1989). Stark's life story is not just a tale of personal struggle and artistic triumph but also a reflection of the broader societal attitudes towards LGBTI individuals in New Zealand. Her experiences and the public reaction to them highlight the challenges faced by LGBTI individuals in a time when their identities were largely misunderstood and marginalized.

Freda Stark passed away on March 19, 1999, in the Abbey Heights Rest Home in Massey, Auckland. She is buried alongside Thelma Mareo at Waikumete Cemetery, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand, a testament to the enduring significance of their relationship and its impact on New Zealand's social and cultural history.