November 03, 2013
Carmen’s wigs now national treasures
The costumes and collections of New Zealand’s most famous drag artist are now part of the national collection.
The contents of Carmen Rupe’s Sydney home, packed up after she died two years ago, were welcomed to Te Papa Tongarewa last week in a special ceremony.
Carmen, from Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Haua, is remembered not just for the taste of transgressive glamour she brought to the Wellington of the 1960s and 70s but for her support and advocacy for gay and transgendered communities.
Former MP Georgina Beyer, who was one of those who found sanctuary in Carmen's International Coffee Lounge, says she was an inspirational figure with a great sense of manaakitanga.
"She was a very visible, lovable New Zealander in lots of ways despite her notoriousness. Her visibility helped so many of us in the gay community for example to feel a little more proud. She created safe havens for us and created a visibility that began to desensitise some of the phobia around people who are gay," she says.
Georgina Beyer will get her own tribute evening this month.
The gala event at Wellington’s James Cabaret for the world’s first transexual mayor and first trans MP will double as a fundraiser to support her as she waits far a kidney transplant.
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