Story: Gender diversity

Poutokomanawa

Poutokomanawa

In 2019 a portrait of iconic Wellington transgender woman Carmen Rupe by Nicolette Page (the large image in the centre) was added to the collection of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. The gallery held an exhibition to mark the occasion, honouring many Wellington transgender women of Carmen’s generation, including Chrissy Witoko (shown in the photograph at the top left), Georgina Beyer and Dana de Milo. The exhibition was called Poutokomanawa, named for the central supporting pole of a whare, to acknowledge the role Carmen and others of her era had played in supporting the transgender and rainbow communities.
 

Using this item

New Zealand Portrait Gallery - Te Pukenga Whakaata
Reference: Install view of Poutokomanawa: The Carmen Rupe Generation featuring ‘Carmen’ by Nicolette Page
Photograph by David Langley

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How to cite this page:

Johanna Schmidt, 'Gender diversity - Difficulties and visibility', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/47399/poutokomanawa (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Johanna Schmidt, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 4 May 2021 with assistance from Gender Minorities Aotearoa