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Story: Gender diversity

Mark, drag performer

Australian drag performer Mark transforms himself for his female role. These images, by New Zealand photographer Rebecca Swan, are from her series 'Assume nothing', which explores gender diversity. Mark says, 'People get so afraid of difference that they forget to see the same; that we're all human beings. Humour cuts across that. To make people laugh and smile is twenty times more effective to open people up than confrontation.'

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Rebecca Swan

by Rebecca Swan

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How to cite this page

Johanna Schmidt, Gender diversity – Defining gender diversity, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/28831/mark-drag-performer (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Johanna Schmidt, published 30 March 2011, reviewed and revised 4 May 2021 with assistance from Gender Minorities Aotearoa.