Audio from the opening night of Poutokomanawa: The Carmen Rupe Generation. The exhibition runs from 20 September - 15 December 2019 at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington. A special thank you to the organisers and speakers for allowing this event to be recorded and shared.
Summary
The audio recording titled "Poutokomanawa: The Carmen Rupe Generation - Opening Night" captures a significant event held on September 20, 2019, at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington. This event marks the opening night of an exhibition celebrating the influence of Carmen Rupe and other LGBT community members in New Zealand. The recording encompasses collective memories, achievements, and the impact of Rupe's generation on the LGBT rights movement from the 1950s to the 2010s.
Malcolm Kennedy-Vaughan, the MC, begins the recording by acknowledging the exhibition's significance and the nostalgia it evokes. Janine Parkinson, director of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, expresses gratitude toward Carmen Rupe, Chrissy Witoko, Dana de Milo, Georgina Beyer, and others who have pioneered the path for today’s community. Special thanks are given to Chanel Hati for curating the exhibition.
Artists Ari Brightwell and Sam Orchard are recognized for their contributions, alongside the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective, which catered the event. Parkinson emphasizes the exhibition's independent nature and the importance of donations and community support.
Chanel Hati reflects on the enduring legacy of transgender elders and parallels their fight for rights with civil movements like those led by Martin Luther King Jr. Hati highlights significant progress in LGBT rights, such as marriage equality and the decriminalization of sex work, once dreams in Carmen Rupe's era.
Glenda Hughes shares anecdotes of Chrissy's compassionate work, illustrating how Chrissy and others navigated challenges from authoritarian figures and used creative resilience to protect the community. Hughes' stories also underscore the importance of family ties and the legacy continued by subsequent generations in various fields.
Georgina Beyer, the world’s first openly transgender mayor and Member of Parliament, speaks about the influence and visibility Carmen and others had in both the LGBT community and wider New Zealand society. They discuss how pioneers like Carmen laid the groundwork for future generations to advocate for more rights and acceptance.
Artist Taupuruariki Brightwell shares their perspective on the exhibition and the role of art in narrating past stories and shaping the future.
The event concludes with reflections on the journey of the LGBT community, the challenges faced, the victories achieved, and the ongoing efforts. It honors the past, celebrates the present, and anticipates a future where stories like Carmen Rupe's continue to inspire and empower.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
Voices
Tags
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