For Your (Queer) Consideration: Kiwi Icons Throughout History
Georgina Beyer – one of the queer icons mentioned in this piece. Source: Monique Ford / Fairfax NZ.
Aotearoa is country rich with culture, and has produced some pretty incredible trailblazers who have paved the way for the LGBTQ+ community over the years. These include politicians, musicians, actors, activists, drag queens and more, all of whom use their voice and spirit to bring Aotearoa together.
Georgina Beyer (1957-2023)
This is a name you should become more familiar with if you aren’t already. Beyer, who passed in 2023, was the world’s first openly transgender mayor and Member of Parliament.
Born in Pōneke Wellington, she supported progressive policies and fought for anti-discrimination laws with an emphasis on Māori rights. Beyer had multiple careers in her lifetime, as a singer, drag queen, sex worker, radio host, and news presenter. Another milestone was Beyer becoming the first tangata whenua to address the Oxford Union, a prestigious debating society in England.
“We need to acknowledge that this country of ours leads the way in so many aspects. We have led the way for women getting the vote. We have led the way in the past, and I hope we will do so again in the future in social policy and certainly in human rights.” - Georgina Beyer at the 1999 general election.
Carmen Rupe (1936-2011)
Carmen Rupe in 1975. Source: Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
The first Aotearoa New Zealand drag queen to reach celebrity status, Carmen Rupe was ahead of her time. She was known as an anti-discrimination and HIV/AIDS activist, whilst also being a brothel-keeper. Rupe has been cited as a role model by Georgina Beyer, and has a phenomenal legacy including a short film, GURL, based on her life, and potentially a feature film, The Book of Carmen, which was reported in 2020 to be in pre-production.
Mike Puru (1975-)
Mike Puru. Source: Scott McAulay/Not-For-Syndication.
Puru is a radio and television presenter, having hosted The Bachelor New Zealand for its first two seasons, as well as working for radio stations The Edge and The Hits. One of his biggest television moments was interviewing Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria live during her first visit to Aotearoa.
Puru came out as gay on air in 2010, and is planning on moving to France with his partner, where they will launch a country music radio station and run a Bed & Breakfast.
"A 'gay Māori from Gore' - the odds were against me." - Mike Puru, in a podcast with Stacey Morrison and Anika Moa about reconnecting with Te Reo in their lives.
Anna Paquin (1982-)
Anna Paquin. Source: Elizabeth Weinberg/The New York Times.
Born in Winnipeg and raised in Pōneke Wellington, Anna Paquin is best known in Hollywood for receiving an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 11 for her performance in Jane Campion's The Piano. She is the second-youngest Oscar winner in history.
For the Marvel fans out there, you might recognise Paquin as Rogue from the X-Men universe, but she is no stranger to independent and indie films.
She is a supporter of multiple charities including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
As part of 2010’s “Give a Damn” campaign, Paquin came out as bisexual. She said in a 2014 Us Weekly interview, “[m]y sexuality is not made up, for a bisexual, it's not about gender. That's not the deciding factor to who they're attracted to.”
Peter Wells (1950-2019)
Peter Wells. Source: Cole Eastham-Farrelly/RNZ.
Known for his storytelling in fiction, exploring historical and gay themes in particular, Peter Wells was a Kiwi writer and filmmaker whose career spanned decades. For his biographical essay collection The Hungry Heart, he was awarded a literary prize in 2009.
Reviewing The Hungry Heart for the Otago Daily Times, Geoffrey Vine wrote that the collection “set a new standard in the writing of New Zealand history and Wells deserves every accolade.”
Anika Moa (1980-)
Anika Moa. Source: Greatfull.
I’m sure you’ve heard of Anika Moa, one of Aotearoa’s multi-talented stars who grew up here in Ōtautahi Christchurch. After competing in Rockquest and receiving a recording contract, this singer-songwriter released her debut studio album, Thinking Room, in 2001 to significant praise.
Moa is also a television presenter, with her own interview show streaming on TVNZ. She also appears on Toi Time, an educational show for tamariki. Moa proudly shares her identity with the world, showcasing her moko and being an active supporter of gay marriage whilst a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself.
As you can see, Aotearoa is home to these icons. They are of different ages, genders, cultures, and spiritualities, but are similar in one way; they represent the Rainbow community by being brilliant in what they do and how they share their passions with the world.
For your consideration, whether you’re queer or not, I recommend seeking out the work and influence of the people mentioned. You will not be disappointed.