As part of Project Uplift (the refurbishment of the Rainbow Room) a documentary was produced by the Office of the Clerk/Parliamentary Service to tell the story of the room. The individual interviews were also published online under a Creative Commons licence CC-BY 4.0. A special thank you to the Office of the Clerk/Parliamentary Service for allowing Chris' interview to be reproduced. The mp3 files on this page contain just the audio element of the video interview.
Summary
The recording "Chris Carter - Rainbow Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand" captures a significant narrative about the evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in the New Zealand Parliament. Recorded on March 7, 2019, in the Rainbow Room of the Parliament buildings in Wellington, the speaker, Chris Carter, shares their experiences as the first openly gay Member of Parliament in New Zealand.
In the recording, Carter reflects on the journey from when they first came out in 1994 while newly elected as an MP, through to their 18 years of service. Over this time, they witnessed a substantial shift in attitudes, from initial widespread attention and mixed reaction to LGBTQ+ MPs becoming an accepted aspect of New Zealand's diverse society. The discourse touches on the progression of societal norms and the dismantling of barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals in high-profile positions.
Carter proudly recalls being part of a "formidable rainbow team" in Parliament, alongside Georgina Beyer, the world's first transsexual MP, and Tim Barnett, the MP for Christchurch Central. The three worked against the backdrop of conservative opposition, including from within their own political party, yet over time, witnessed and contributed to a transformative change in attitudes.
A poignant anecdote is shared about John Banks, a notable critic and then-Police Minister, who later became more accepting of the gay community after personal interactions with Carter. This anecdote exemplifies the power personal relationships have in challenging and changing prejudiced beliefs.
Through their public visibility and service, Carter and their colleagues provided a voice to those who felt voiceless and brought to light the presence and importance of the queer community in New Zealand. They stress the importance of engaging with the community, being visible, and fostering understanding to build a sense of unity.
The impact of their visibility is highlighted by a powerful personal encounter with a young individual in Australia who expressed that Carter had prevented them from committing suicide. This encounter underlines the profound effect representation can have on individuals struggling with their own identity, reaffirming the worth of Carter's resilience in the face of adversity.
The recording concludes with an acknowledgment of the progression of LGBTQ+ representation in the New Zealand Parliament, from its fraught beginnings to normalized inclusion. It marks a celebration of how far the political landscape has evolved and the importance of continuing to champion diversity.
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 (computer generated)
aotearoa new zealand, auckland, australia, career, christchurch, class, closet, community, conservative, diversity, feelings, gay, government, housing, john banks, local government, mayor, mayor of auckland, media, normal, parents, people, police, queer, rainbow, school, sexuality, suicide, the closet, time, transition, understanding, voice, working class