TransFormation

All words and images by Julian Warmington

Downtown Pōneke/ Wellington in the afternoon of Sunday, 25 March, 2023 was a time and place of celebration.

While Cuba Dupa saw a second day celebrating conspicuous consumption in the streets around the Bucket Fountain, in Te Ngākau (Civic Square) about 4000 people gathered to recognize and demand trans rights and respect.

Many brought the flair of creativity to their signs of support, or their rainbow-themed dress sense. Others left messages chalked on the wall around the old library or on the path to the art gallery.

Speeches, conversations, and even dancing was shared. It was a time of affirmation, positivity, and unity.

Below: Māra Te Ata, with a sign someone gave them simply because they said they liked it. It features the kupu Māori takatāpui.

Above: There were a lot of people, many great signs, uncountable rainbows, and heaps of glitter.

Below: Takatāpui is an important and beautiful word. Like irawhiti, faʻafafine and fa’afatama, were commonplace and respected before the colonizing impact of christianity warped the beauty of social acceptance of whole sections of our populations, due not to any of christ’s teachings about love, but more about prudish hangovers from Victorian era fixations.

Above: Irawhiti means transgender; “ao” means world, or culture.

Below: “Solidarity with our trans whanau”

Above: I’m still learning to use the camera, which is all the more difficult now that I need reading glasses; it’s difficult to tell whether it’s actually in focus exactly where I want it. Still, this sign is legible, and I like the focus on the men contrasting with the centrality of the sign, and its message, alike.

Below: In the 1970s and ’80s there was talk in media about “Kiwi cringe” or “cultural cringe.” It’s interesting to see this term recycled for the modern context:

Above: I apologise for not getting this great person’s name. They and their friends were very kind in standing around while I figured out how to get the camera to take this photo. After what felt like five minutes getting the camera to work, they still have a wonderfully genuine, warm smile.

Below: There were various phrasings expressing lack of patience with folks more beholden to hatefueled stereotypes to a range of different degrees of creativity and politeness.

Above: Many of us know someone who has committed suicide, whether they accomplished it or not. When it feels like a whole society is against you, it must be tempting to look for easy ways out. It must take enormous courage to stand up and be one’s self when everyone else is so different.

Below: Feminism for all.

Above: I found the person who made this sign and they kindly chatted briefly about it. See the video, below.

Above: Photo taken with permission and gratitude.

Above: I met some students from Massey University. Watch the clip below, where Sophie and Sable explain about their signs.

Below: Photo taken with permission and appreciation.

More photos and videos to follow.