Debate | Issue 11 | The Queer Issue by Debate Magazine

DEBATE ISSUE 11 | AUGUST 2017

ENROL BY 23 AUGUST AND MAKE VOTING EASY. elections.org.nz 0800 36 76 56

Contents

Dear Donald :: Page 26

LGBTQ+ for Dummies Page 8

Five minutes with Candy Lee Page 14

Queer on Screen Page 20

Recipe :: Rainbow Bowl Page 32

COV E R P H OTO B Y J A I E M I L L E R ( W W W. J A I E M I L L E R . C O M )

EDITOR Janie Cameron debate@aut.ac.nz SUB - EDITORS Mya Cole River Lin DESIGNER Ramina Rai rrai@aut.ac.nz

CONTRIBUTORS Abigail Johnson, Bridie ChetwinKelly, Crystal Wu, Dayna Patel, Ethan Sills, Georgia Merton, Hope McConnell, Kelly Enright, Laine Yeager, Nicky Price, Sarah Pollock, Shivan Patel, Tash van Schaardenburg ADVERTISING Harriet Smythe hsmythe@aut.ac.nz

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Material contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of AuSM, its advertisers, contributors, Nicholson Printer Solutions or its subsidiaries.

Debate is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA).

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There are some really great reads, including a piece by Mya Cole on whether it’s okay for cisgendered, heterosexual people to write about LGBTQ+ issues, a map of all-gender bathrooms on campus and an excerpt from Tash van Shaardenburg’s ‘Gender is Over.’

Editor's Letter

But before you turn the page, I would like to address some complaints we received about the ‘Drunk Chats’ section of Issue 9, in particular the hurtful comments made by a student towards the transgender community. Although this issue was released prior to me standing in as editor, I would like to apologise on behalf of Debate for the nature of this content. In no way do we agree with or condone this sort of hateful rhetoric. I would also like to express my sincerest appreciation and admiration for those who took the time to voice their concerns, and share an excerpt from one of our contributors, Cordelia, who wrote: “I realise these are drunk students saying ‘un-PC’ things, but this goes beyond un-PC: His words and actions are violent, transphobic and incredibly hurtful...I think it is irresponsible to print his views in Debate without critical comment, or even to print it at all. There doesn't need

Kia ora e hoa mā, Welcome to Issue 11. Firstly, I want to thank you for all the wonderful feedback we’ve received for Issue 10. It was a daunting task putting together my first magazine as editor, but thanks to your words of encouragement I’m feeling confident in the slightly new direction the magazine is taking. For this issue, we have enlisted writers of diverse identities to bring you what is essentially a 36-page guide to the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating those of us who belong to this community, and enlightening those of us who aren’t so familiar with it.

to be any more platforms for angry cisgendered men — they have the internet.” When reading this issue, take care to recognise the privilege your identity affords you. Take time to educate yourself about the lives of others, and think about your words before you speak them ♥ Have a lovely day. Janie

Like and/or follow us on social media to keep up to date with news, features and giveaways. www.debatemag.com

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Meet your SRC :: Nadine Tupp In this issue, we talk to newly appointed Health & Environmental Sciences Faculty Representative, Nadine Tupp. Full name: Nadine Rose Tupp Age: 19 Field of study: Geospatial Science and Applied Conservation Country of birth: New Zealand Favourite colour: Blue Favourite food: Roast vegetables and homemade hummus Favourite band: Pink Floyd Favourite restaurant: Little Bird Organics and The Unbakery What do you think the biggest challenges are for LGBTQ+ students? The biggest challenge I've found is being away from my small, rural hometown and finding my place in the world and ways to just be me. Trying to balance wanting to just get on with my studies, while also striving for social equity and providing a voice for others, as the Rainbow community is still discriminated against socially and in healthcare accessibility. Sue Perkins said, “personally, being a lesbian is only about the 47th most interesting thing about me”, and that's the same for me; my sexuality is an integral part of who I am, but it does not define me. What sort of support does AUT offer its Rainbow community? We have an awesome and supportive community here at AUT, with the Out@AUT club that is active on all campuses, putting on

events like movie nights and times to just hang out together. There is also a safe ‘Rainbow Space’ at the City Campus and a Rainbow community manager that can help out with issues. What advice would you give to students who may be struggling to come to terms with their sexual/gender identity? Remember how much time you have. There is no rush to work out your feelings or thoughts, and the decision is a purely personal one. If you choose to [come out], do it on your own terms, in a safe environment and when you feel really ready to. What about to those who may have a friend who is struggling? What's the best way to offer support? To be there and be able to listen. Know that you might not be able to directly help or understand what your friend is going through, but know the places you can direct them to find someone who can, or help them seek professional help. Just be a good friend. What do you hope to achieve in your new position on the SRC? I firmly believe that diversity is what makes us strong. The more opinions from diverse groups of people with different perspectives and life experiences that we can bring to the decision making table, the more confident we can be that the decisions we make are going to be equitable for more people. And that's great for everyone!

What's on? Cheap, free and koha events around town

BRKBND Queer Open Mic Night

Diversity Festival

Where: GridAKL Tech Café (101 Pakenham Street West) When: Wednesday 27th September, 7:30pm What: Breaking Boundaries [BRKBND] is a non-profit creative organisation for queer, transgender, intersex and questioning people in Aotearoa. They host a bunch of social events around the city, the next being the ‘Queer Open Mic Night’, feauting a bunch of guest performers, hot drinks and vegan baking. How Much: Koha entry

Where: WF Building, AUT City Campus When: Wednesday 13th September, 1-3pm What: Business students taking the 'Diversity at Work' paper are putting on a small-scale Diversity Festival as part of their assessment. Students choose a topic centred around diversity and create an interactive display that will be sure to get you thinking. How much: Free entry

Non-Flower Elements

Man-Made Woman Book Launch

Where: Basement Theatre (Lower Greys Avenue) When: Tuesday 22nd – Saturday 26th August, 6:30pm What: ‘I help myself by knowing myself. If I do not go within

Where: Strange Haven (281 Karangahape Road) When: Wednesday 16th August, 6-8pm What: In 2015, Colin Cremin overcame a lifetime of fear and repression and came to work dressed as a woman called Ciara. Wearing full makeup, a blouse, a skirt and pantyhose, Cremin walked down the steps of a lecture theatre in front of a hundred students and, without comment, gave her lecture as usual. Cremin’s book ‘Man-Made Woman: The Dialects of CrossDressing’ will be launched at Strange Haven as part of the Everything’s Fucked series. How much: Koha entry

I go without. How much of the you that you know yourself as, is you? An individual. How can you be sure you are not simply a cupboard, made up of the people and experiences compartmentalised in clusters of neurons?’ Inspired by dance, clowning and game, Ash and Arlo seek to expose their own earnest self-investigation in a meditative hour of entertainment. How much: Tickets from $16 (or see our giveaways page to win yourself a double pass)

Breaking Boundaries Breaking Boundaries (BRKBND) was founded in 2013 as an online forum and gallery for Aotearoa’s LGBTQ+ community. It has since evolved into a non-profit, grassroots organisation running creative events for young people in the transitional space of queer adulthood. Janie Cameron talks to founder Joni Nelson:

Hi Joni, tell us a bit about BRKBND and what it aims to do. BRKBND supports queer, transgender and intersex people involved in creative arts locally and in wider communities. We do this through our own events and workshops, as well as by helping others produce their creative ideas and endeavours. We recognise creative arts as a significant tool in our society for providing a medium for creative expression and self-exploration, fostering wellbeing and acting as a powerful vehicle for raising awareness, challenging discrimination and tackling the stigma and inequalities associated with marginalised identities. What sort of events have you hosted recently? We’ve had such an eventful year! We’ve run workshops with international guests such as Alok Vaid Menon of Darkmatter (New York) and Sophie Label of Assigned Male Comics (Montreal), and earlier this year we produced our first theatre show, ‘Loud & Queer’, devised by five up-and-coming queer and trans writers and performers. All our events have the creative arts at heart, but we’ve also hosted workshops in gardening, vegan baking and even chocolate decorating.

Who attends your events? We cater to those in the often neglected ‘transitional’ space of young queer adulthood. Our primary attendees are queer and trans people in their 20s and early 30s. We welcome people of all identities and backgrounds, but we’re clear that these events provide a space for queer people to feel safe, supported and creatively nurtured. So while many of our events are open to everyone, clear values must be upheld. We always make sure to clearly communicate what events will be open to the wider community versus which ones are strictly for LGBTQ+ identified people only. To anyone interested in attending: remember, there’s no such thing as not being ‘queer enough’. We hear this concern far too often. Why are these events important for young queer adults? There’s a lot of support for queer youth and teenagers, which is awesome, but once you reach your twenties, there are fewer options for meeting and socialising with other queer people. Spaces where young adults feel supported, nourished and have a sense of belonging are incredibly important. Often, events for LGBTQ+ adults

are centred around alcohol and clubbing, which is great in some regards, but we want to provide alternatives for those who want a break from that, or simply don’t feel comfortable in that scene. Why is there such a lack of social options for the young LGBTQ+ community? It’s a mammoth task to develop and deliver successful events and projects which are safe, inclusive and, most importantly, engaging. Compounding this is the lack of funding available to smaller groups, as it’s incredibly difficult to turn an idea into reality when you lack any significant capital. In saying that, we’ve seen a huge amount of generosity from the LGBTQ+ community who attend our events, and we owe it to everyone who has supported us financially, through volunteering, or simply by liking and sharing our Facebook content. Our motto is “Together We Create”, and this notion is precisely what has allowed us to flourish in recent months. Like Breaking Boundaries on Facebook (facebook.com/brkbnd) for more info, and check out our What’s On page for details on their next Queer Open Mic Night.

LGBTQ+ For Dummies If you don’t know, now you know By Sarah Pollock | Illustrations by Dayna Patel

As someone who thinks of myself as a pretty clued-in millennial, I have to admit when it comes to LGBTQ+ terms I am, or was, somewhat perplexed. I don’t know about you, but this intricate acronym has expanded a bit since my last high school health lesson, and as someone who identifies as a straight cisgendered female it can be hard to keep up with the ever-increasing list of letters. But, y’know what? It’s 2017 and we should all know what each and every one of these terms means – so here’s your chance to get educated:

First, let’s cover the basics Sex While most often used in reference to what goes on between the sheets, ‘sex’ is actually a mass noun that includes the two* primary categories we humans fall into, and is determined by the reproductive functions we’re born with.

called gender; a set of behavioural expectations informed by society and culture.

Cisgender (cis)

*Some cultures have more than two categories.

A cisgendered person is someone who identifies with the gender assigned to them at birth based on their sexual reproductive organs.

Gender

Genderqueer (Non-Binary)

Once your sex is identified, society essentially hands you a manual on how to behave: how to dress, speak and act so people around you can identify your sex. This manual is

A person whose gender identity is neither male nor female, is between or beyond genders, or is some combination of genders (including agender and genderfluid).

Now, on to the letters themselves

L is for Lesbian

B is for Bisexual

Simply put, a lesbian is a cis woman who is sexually and/ or emotionally orientated towards other women.

You’ve probably heard your fair share of bisexual slang (‘swings both ways’, ‘bats for both teams’ etc), and bisexual people tend to cop a lot of misguided flak about being indecisive. Well, I’m here to tell you that attitude is stupid and wrong; ‘bisexual’ refers to a person whose primary sexual orientation is towards both men and women. Simple as that.

G is for Gay Gay is an umbrella term that, like lesbian, describes people who are sexually and/or emotionally attracted to members of their own sex/gender. The term ‘gay’ is traditionally used as the male equivalent to lesbian, but there’s no hard and fast rule. Technically women can be gay too, and the term can be used to refer to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, or as an individual identity label for anyone who does not identify as heterosexual. Wait! Is ‘gay’ okay? While historically the word ‘gay’ has carried negative connotations, it’s now recognised as an acceptable term for a homosexual person. Simple rule: Describing someone who identifies as homosexual? Yes. Describing something you think is effeminate, inferior or otherwise? No.

T is for Transgender Here’s where things get a little trickier, but stick with me – you got this. Transgender, in its most basic form, is an umbrella term that describes people who don’t identify with the gender that matches their sex. If someone identifies as transgender, essentially their relationship with gender is unconventional and complex. Whether it’s because their gender doesn’t match their sex, it doesn’t exist inside the male/female binary, or they have multiple/ no gender(s).

Q is for Queer Queer is an umbrella term that includes lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transpeople, intersex persons and radical sex communities. If someone tells you they are queer, you can likely assume that either their gender or their sexuality doesn’t conform to societal norms. Like the term ‘gay’, queer was historically used as a slur against gay men and lesbians, but was more recently reclaimed by activists as a term of selfidentification.

A is for Asexual When we talk about sexual orientation, we’re referring to the feeling of sexual desire or attraction towards performing a sexual act with another person. However, those who identify as ‘asexual’ are not sexually attracted to anyone, nor do they have a sexual orientation.

I is for Intersex

P is for Pansexual

An intersex person is someone who is born with primary or secondary sex traits that do not fit typical definitions of male or female, whether this is a combination of abnormal chromosomes, internal sex organs, genitals or hormones.

Pansexual people have the capability of sexual and/or emotional attraction to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex, including transgender, intersex, or agendered/genderqueer people.

Got it? Okay, so it may take a while for you to get your head around this non-exhaustive list of terms, but it’s important to learn them so you know how best to address LGBTQ+ members of your community. Go forward with your new found knowledge, but be aware that it’s always best to ask rather than assume someone’s identity.

*The terms defined in this piece were based off the all-knowing Internet. Curious to know more about the resources I used? Check out: http://www.amnestyusa.org/pdfs/toolkit_LGBTglossary.pdf and https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/glossary.html

genderLESS by Courtney Pellow

AUT graduate Courtney Pellow works from her studio on K Road, bringing to life, piece by piece, a unisex collection that is both sourced and produced locally.

Designer: Courtney Pellow (@courtneypellow) Photography and styling: Gathum (@gathum) Hair and makeup: Jamila Serville (@ jamilaserville) Models: Max (@maximbrown93) and Coco (@cocomay3) from Clyne Models (@clynemodels)

Where to find all-gender bathrooms on campus Toilets hunted out by Bridie Chetwin-Kelly

CITY CAMPUS

WO WM

WU WD

WC WB

WG WA

WT WH

WW 203, 302a

WD 103

WG 223, 301, 414, 519, 611, 710,

WN 502

WE 216, 217, 308, 309, 609, 610

811, 911, 1016, 1216

WS 111, 519

WU 404

WY 105a, 430a

WM 402, 602

WB 127, 209, 221, 321, 422

WH 505b

WO 903, 1003, 1203, 1403, 1514,

WF 606

WT 035a, 019, 020, 716

1104

WA 405b, 415, 504, 526, 604, 704

N O RT H C A M P U S

AH AF AL

AH 108, 116, 117, 118, 210

AC 205

AJ 102

AG 1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205,

AL 120a, 130b

AR 108,132, 143, 145, 152

1206

AS 104j

AE T01A, T01B

AD 115

AB 224

AP 111

WF 119a

AA102, 130, 211, 212b

SOUTH CAMPUS

MB MC

ME T01A, T01B

MD 115

MH 119a

MA 102, 130, 211, 212b

MB 224

MC 205

Five minutes with Candy Lee Bridie Chetwin-Kelly had a quick chat with Aotearoa’s first professional transgender wrestler, Candy Lee. Here’s what she found out:

In 2000, Leilani Tominiko watched her first professional wrestling match, the Royal Rumble. Sixteen years on, she made her debut as the first ever transgender woman to compete in professional wrestling under the ring name ‘Candy Lee’. She liked the sport from the moment she watched that first match, but what made her really love it was the fact that women could also compete. Nowadays, when she’s not working, she’s training – either hitting the gym, or practising her signature moves: ‘Candy Crush’ and ‘Gobstopper’. The 22-year-old also eats a completely vegan diet. For those of you who don’t know an awful lot about female pro wrestling, Netflix’s Glow is a great place to start. Leilani says the show does a great job of portraying the reality of female wrestling and has further inspired her to continue in the sport.

Since her debut in 2016, Leilani hasn’t looked back and said she’s faced fewer challenges than initially expected as a transgender sportswoman. “I have no regrets about pursuing [the sport] and I’m glad I did it.” Through Impact Pro Wrestling Candy Lee has had the opportunity to verse some of the country’s best female wrestlers, including New Zealand champion Carmen Rose. For anyone wanting to give the sport a go, she has this advice: “Go for it. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain.” Keen to see Candy in action? Head over to our giveaways page for a chance to win a double-pass to her next match.

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Kelly Enright asks OUTLineNZ* general manager Trevor Easton the questions you’re probably not sure how to ask

K: Okay, let’s start with this: If I’m unsure what gender somebody wants to be identified as, what pronoun should I use? T: Simply ask that person what they would like to be called or how they would like to be identified. They won’t mind.

K: For a female transitioning to a male, do they find it difficult to give up the option of having children? T: Some do, but the desire to become their true self is typically more of a driving force. I have known some people to harvest eggs or sperm in advance so that the option is still there.

K: What would you say to someone who, because of a certain belief system or background or whatever it may be, struggles to understand certain aspects of the LGBTQ+ spectrum? Do they have a right to feel that confusion? T: Everyone has the right to their own belief system, but nobody has the right to belittle or disrespect anybody else. Every person also has a right to bring and present their whole self to the world, no matter who they are. As long as you are not hurting anyone else, there should be no discrimination.

? K: Do you think ‘coming out’ is any easier than it used to be? What challenges still remain? T: For the individual it is not necessarily any easier, there is just a perception by the heterosexual community that it is. What still remains is that individual struggle and fear of standing out too much or feeling isolated. Those issues are still paramount. What’s different now is the technology, which has seen an increase in cyber-bullying. Before technology, people may have had safe spaces, but the ease of anonymity is making bullying more accessible than ever. Then there’s practical things like employment and general prejudice that still need to be overcome. And for the transgender community, there’s another set of issues: a major lack of health facilities. The health system in New Zealand is very unsupportive as no doctors here know how to, or are willing to, perform lower body surgery. If you wish to have that operation, you must go overseas. Doctors here just don’t understand the hormonal or psychological process.

? K: Is adoption common within the transgender community? T: Adoption is difficult for anyone, but is always an option. It would most likely have to be an older child, as we have a very small collection of children up for adoption in New Zealand.

? K: What advice would you give to a parent who suspects their child might be gay, and perhaps too afraid to tell them? T: Be as supportive as you can in every way. Drop into conversation with your child other LGBTQ+ people you support, so they have a clear understanding of your love and openness. Unintentional throw away comments can be extremely offensive and harmful, so be thoughtful with your language.

? K: New Zealand society has changed enormously over the past 20 to 30 years in terms of attitudes to and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. In your opinion, what still needs to change? T: Change has absolutely happened, but there also needs to be significant growth within the next generation. I walk down Ponsonby Road with my husband and still hear some yell “poofter”. People are still abused and hurt, so there is a long way to go. By allowing all people to bring their whole self to the world at any time, whether that be relating to race, gender, sexuality, or any other feature of humanity, we will be rewarded with a richer and more vibrant society.

*OUTLineNZ offers confidential and self-affirming LGBTIQ+ telephone support and face-to-face counselling. Need to talk? Call them on 0800 OUTLINE (6885463). 15

Get it right Is it okay for cisgendered, heterosexual people to write about issues affecting the queer community? Mya Cole investigates. Illustration by Hope McConnell.

I’m a cisgendered female and I’m pretty sure I like men, but am prone to being indecisive so don’t stick any labels on my forehead just yet. However, I don’t consider myself to fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, which raises the question: What right do I (or any other cisgendered, heterosexual person for that matter) have to write an article or speak out about issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community? How does a writer approach a topic they know little about, having never experienced these issues first hand? Is it okay for non-LGBTQ+ people to write about LGBTQ+ topics? I decided to find out. I took to the good old internet, posting in various Facebook groups asking people’s opinions on cisgendered, heterosexual folk writing about issues that affect the queer community. Lucky for me, a couple of lovely people took the time to help me out: Ben Michael from New York identifies as genderqueer/non-binary. The thing that most bothers them about how LGBTQ+ people are referred to in the media is the incorrect language that is often used to describe gender identities.

“What upsets me the most is the way we talk about other genders; people using ‘transgendered’ as a past tense verb or ‘transgenders’ as a collective noun, instead of the proper ‘transgender’ as an adjective that modifies person/people nouns.” Adding an ‘ed’ to the word transgender makes it sound as though something has been done to the person, and is just one of the ways we (cis heteros) get it wrong. Criminal defence lawyer Christina DiEdoardo illustrates this sort of language misuse perfectly in Time’s December 2014 issue, saying: “One day John Jones was leading a normal, middle-class American life when suddenly he was zapped with a transgender ray!” Another point Ben made is that transgender characters being played by cisgender actors in films and TV shows is essentially synonymous with able-bodied actors playing disabled people. They used the example of ‘The Danish Girl’, directed by Tom Hooper, in which Eddie Redmayne (a heterosexual cisgendered actor) is cast as a transgender woman. Ironically, able-bodied Redmayne also plays the disabled Stephen Hawking in ‘The Theory of Everything’, directed by James Marsh. Note that both directors are

cis, hetero, able-bodied men, but that’s a story for another time. Tamsin* from Auckland, who identifies as non-binary, says it’s okay for non-LGBTQ+ people to write about LGBTQ+ issues: “Of course it's okay for cis/hetero people to write about trans/queer people. The most important thing is to make room for marginalized voices to speak and, in spaces where trans/queer people aren't listened to, speak up for us. “Trans people are, for the majority, excluded from the media and are spoken about rather than being able to do the speaking.” So, I guess the moral of the story is the more people speaking up for the LGBTQ+ community the better, regardless of the writer’s own identity — we must make room for marginalized voices to be heard. And a final word from Tamsin: “The more cisgendered and straight people who have our backs, the more cisgendered and straight people will listen”.

*Tamsin did not wish to disclose their full name.

Treat Yo'self

Treat Yo'self Student life can be tough, which is why we search the city for the snazziest stuff to give away. Like the look of something below? Check out the details and head over to our Facebook page (facebook.com/ausmdebate) to enter. Winners will be drawn Monday 28th August.

Cut some Shapes All that study got you hungry? We’ve got you covered with three prize packs of all five Arnott’s Original Shapes flavours up for grabs. That’s right cheese lovers, Cheese & Bacon and Cheddar flavours are back! To win, like our page on Facebook and message us with your campus and ‘SHAPES PLEASE’.

Fight Night

Non-Flower Elements

See Candy Lee (page 14) fight it out alongside some of the country’s best professional wrestlers at Impact Pro Wrestling: Ultimatum on Saturday 19th August at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. We have a double pass to giveaway to one lucky Debate reader. To win, like our page on Facebook and message us with your campus and ‘FIGHT PLEASE’ (before Friday 18th August).

We’ve got our hands on a double pass to giveaway to the opening night of Non-Flower Elements at Basement Theatre on Tuesday 22nd August. Featuring best mates Ash Jones and Arlo Gibson as two young men exploring what it means to be open, honest and in conversation. To win, like our page on Facebook and message us with your campus and ‘PLAY PLEASE’ (before Friday 18th August).

A bunch of goodness Check out Crystal Wu’s great banana recipes on page 30/31 and win yourself a hessian tote bag full of Dole bananas! Dole’s Ecuadorian bananas are Rainforest Alliance Certified, which means they are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. To win, like our page on Facebook and message us with your campus and ‘BANANAS PLEASE’.

Put your best face forward Our friends at Sukin have three beautiful Love Your Skin kits to giveaway. The kits include a foaming facial cleanser, a hydrating mist toner and a nourishing facial moisturiser. Made with a blend of active botanicals and essential oils, Sukin’s simple three-step skincare routine will leave your skin feeling healthy and looking fresh. To win, like our page on Facebook and message us with your campus and ‘SUKIN PLEASE’.

Thank you so Matcha Our friends at Forage have three pots of gorgeous inVitamin Matcha masks to giveaway. These deep-cleansing, natural masks detoxify, exfoliate and soften skin with all-natural ingredients, promoting a brighter complexion while helping restore a more balanced skin tone. To win, like our page on Facebook and message us with your campus and ‘MATCHA PLEASE.'

Queer on Screen Screen Queen Nicky Price takes a look at the good and the bad of LGBTQ+ portrayals on screen

While the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters on screen is becoming more common, many portrayal attempts still fall short. Inclusions are often heavily censored, downplayed, or cater to hurtful stereotypes – and that’s if they’re addressed at all. Queer characters are often portrayed by actors who have no personal connection to what it means to be on the LGBTQ+ spectrum: Transgender characters are played by cisgendered actors, gay or lesbian characters are played by heterosexual actors, and lesser discussed identities such as non-binary, pansexual and asexual are almost completely overlooked. So, in the name of progress, I decided to sit down and write a short list of films, television series and games that have portrayed LGBTQ+ characters, and how well they have done.*

"Yes, I wear foundation. Yes, I live with a man. Yes, I'm a middle-aged fag. But I know who I am, Val. It took me twenty years to get here, and I'm not gonna let some idiot senator destroy that” – Armand Goldman

*I’d like to add that finding examples of lesbian characters was by far the easiest, whereas portrayals of gay men were more often mediocre and overlooked.

After the first hour, the plot completely unravels, and while it was nice to see the depiction of a young lesbian couple building a life together, the bland characters, derailed plotlines and over-the-top sex scenes left me with an impression of a film made for an audience too embarrassed to browse for a decent porn site.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR The online hype over this film, particularly within the rainbow community, made me really excited to finally sit down and watch it last month. However, I was severely disappointed. Blue is the Warmest Color is a three-hour film that starts off strong with the depiction of a young girl coming to terms with her sexuality, but quickly devolves into nothing short of a lesbian porno (Léa Seydoux, who played the titular Blue, openly spoke about how the filming made her “feel like a prostitute"). After the first hour, the plot completely unravels, and while it was nice to see the depiction of a young lesbian couple building a life together, the bland characters, derailed plotlines and over-the-top sex scenes left me with an impression of a film made for an audience too embarrassed to browse for a decent porn site.

+ domestic life + exploring coming to terms with identity - plot (what plot?) - character design - unnecessarily long and voyeuristic sex scenes

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (spoiler warning) For over five years, the liars have been struggling to uncover the identity of 'A', the villain of the show. In season six, A's identity was finally revealed to be Cece (Charlotte) Drake, born Charles DiLaurentis. To put it plainly, the series' main villain was revealed to be transgender. To promote the following season, the show’s official Twitter account tweeted, "He. She. It. Charlotte." The tweet

was deleted soon after, but left a lot of LGBTQ+ fans angry about the way the show had dealt with the unveiling of Cece, especially considering PLL's history of championing diversity.

+ canon gay character + previous depiction of queer relationships - portraying a trans villain stereotype - that godawful tweet - queer relationships downplayed in comparison to straight relationships

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY While this film doesn’t technically portray gay characters, I have chosen to include it in my list due to its horrendous depiction of gay stereotypes and the blatant use of the LGBTQ+ community for comedy. Chuck and Larry, played by Kevin James and Adam Sandler, play two straight pretending to be gay. Almost every review of the film I found online wholeheartedly agrees that it’s a complete mess. I'm going to quote Empire here: "One of [the film’s] comedic centrepieces is a soap-in-the-shower scene; to call such writing lazy is an insult to slovenliness. With ribald and stale jokes at odds with the slender social message, this wedding piece crashes and burns amid its own hypocrisy."

+ I suppose it could have been even worse - gay stereotypes - jokes about gay sex - Rob Schneider - Adam Sandler

THE BIRDCAGE The Birdcage is the parallel opposite of the the above film. It's plot revolves around the main character's attempts to hide his relationship with his life partner and pretend to be straight, in order to impress his son's future in-laws. Inevitably, the truth comes out, and while I wish there had been a better conclusion (including an apology from the son), I can't help but love the film regardless. I think it can be best summed up with the quote, "Yes, I wear foundation. Yes, I live with a man. Yes, I'm a middle-aged fag. But I know who I am, Val. It took me twenty years to get here, and I'm not gonna let some idiot senator destroy that."

+ literally all the drag club scenes + senator being forced to wear drag + Robin Williams + everyone taking swigs of the cooking alcohol when things start going downhill - nobody ever seems to address the 'I'm ashamed of my gay parents' subplot - more Albert appreciation needed

OVERWATCH Tracer, aka Lena Oxton, was plastered on the side of buses, buildings and website columns for months before the game's release. When Blizzard then released an in-universe comic depicting Tracer in a relationship with a woman, news websites lost their minds for the better part of a month. Under different circumstances, I might not have been as impressed (considering this revelation was not in-game), but considering Overwatch's nature as a first-person

shooter, there isn't a great deal of space left for plot and character backgrounds.

+ casual information drop + more LGBTQ+ characters to be confirmed + literal flagship character + creator Jeff Kaplan could not give less of a f**k about complaints - need more in-game acknowledgment of identities

CENSORSHIP EXAMPLES SAILOR MOON In the original anime, Sailor Neptune and Uranus were recognised as a lesbian couple, but in the English dub released to Western countries like New Zealand, the relationship was censored, and portrayed the pair as cousins.

ADVENTURE TIME Olivia Olson, the voice actress for Marceline, confirmed in an interview that Marceline and Princess Bubblegum were previously in a romantic relationship. There are hints at this throughout the show, but apparently it cannot be confirmed on-screen because Adventure Time airs in some countries in which homosexuality is illegal. Which is bulls**t, but whatever. Some honourable mentions that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite make the list include Transparent, Orange is the New Black, Brooklyn Nine Nine, But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m A Cheerleader and the game Gone Home.

An excerpt from

‘Gender is Over’ By Tash van Schaardenburg

Reject your gender. Burn it alive. Craft yourself into something other and new and more real than reality. My queerness is more real than my reality. My queerness is the most truthful part of myself. So I lay with my burning lover and seek to feel so strongly that this body is mine no matter what. That the possibilities of my self-determination can be infinite. I wrap my skin in these words that destroy one form of being whilst they simultaneously create one anew. In a moment of passion I embrace myself and yet as the flames fade and the words become undone, so must I return to a reality that demands that people like me do not burn so brightly as ourselves.

‘Gender is Over’ and the associated text is a moving image work showing the letters G-E-N-D-E-R I-S O-V-E-R cut from cotton, laid on concrete, doused in kerosene and burned. The statement is the affirmation of the artist; a love letter to themselves; a strategy to avoid the attacks of people that refuse to respect the autonomy they have to make decisions over their own body.

Five comic book heroes you probably didn’t know were queer Our intern Laine Yeager scrolled through a bunch of online listicles to bring you her top five LGBTQ+ comic book characters The themes that run through comic books have traditionally reflected the world in which we live, and this is certainly true when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation in comics today. While some LGBTQ+ comic book characters have been around for decades, many comic writers have more recently ventured off the literal straight and narrow to champion queer characters. Here’s my top five kickass LGBTQ+ comic book heroes:

Batwoman To quell rumours that Batman was in a relationship with the Boy Wonder, American comic book publisher DC initially introduced Batwoman as a love interest for the Caped Crusader. But after a national ban on references to homosexuality was lifted by the Comic Books Code Authority, Batwoman was back, returning as Katherine Kane; a lesbian. Kane was kiced out of the US military following an allegation that she was romantically involved with a female student.

Fun fact: When DC would not allow Batwoman to marry her partner, the creative team behind the comic left in protest. The team is now led by a queer woman.

Deadpool In 2013, Deadpool writer Gerry Dugan confirmed in a Twitter post that Deadpool was pansexual. Pansexuality is a term reflective of those who feel sexual and/or emotional attraction towards people of any gender, including transgender, intersex and agendered. For example, Deadpool was once married to an alien hippo, and has a full-on crush on Spider-Man and both the male and female Thor.

Fun fact: The Deadpool movie was widely accused of ‘queerbaiting’ – the practice of hinting at, but not actually depicting, a potential same-sex relationship between characters.

Young Avengers Young Avengers has been a queer friendly comic since its formation in the mid-‘00s. Founding members Wiccan and Hulking started out as a couple, and the 2013 reboot brought new members like Prodigy, Kid Loki and Marvel Boy who all expressed same-sex attraction in one form or another. But the greatest addition of all was team leader Miss America – a queer latin-American teen who embraces her identity from the get-go.

Fun fact: Only one of the Young Avengers identifies as straight.

Catwoman Everyone’s favourite cat burglar was finally revealed to be bisexual in 2015 – a trait that many fans had suspected for a long time. Recently, the growing relationship between previous Catwoman (Selina Kyle) and the current Catwoman (Eiko Hasigaway) culminated in a passionate kiss, with writer Genevieve Valentine taking to Twitter to officially announce the character’s sexuality.

Fun fact: Ex-Catwoman Selina Kyle

Green Lantern The new Green Lantern (Alan Scott) is in a stable gay relationship. The writer behind the reboot, James Robinson, made the decision ‘without a moment of hesitation’. Green Lantern’s son in the previous continuity, Obsidian, was also a gay man.

Fun fact: Not exactly fun, but Alan Scott’s partner Sam died in a train accident just as Scott was about to propose.

has a daughter called Helena to Bruce Wayne (Batman).

Dear Donald…

An open letter to Donald Trump River Lin sits down over a nice hot cup of ‘covfefe’ to share his thoughts on President Trump’s recent transgender military ban. Illustration by Hope McConnell.

Dear Mr Trump, On July 26, you sent out a divisive series of tweets announcing that the United States Government would no longer allow transgender people to serve in the military. The US military “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail,” you said, albeit misguidedly. You see, Mr Trump, the cost of genderrelated care for transgender service members roughly equates to 0.017 percent of the US Defense Department’s estimated healthcare expenditure of $50 billion. That’s, like, a really small percentage, especially when you compare it to the $84 million spent on Viagra and other erectile dysfunction prescriptions for men in service. Never mind the fact that serving openly has had no discernable

impact on the force's preparedness to fight for their country. Your series of tweets was designed to appeal to the patriotism of military service. You probably gave yourself a bit of a pat on the back, thinking you’d have the support of the public, but the whole thing kind of backfired on you, didn’t it? At the time of writing this letter, 56 retired military generals and admirals have come forward to join LGBTQ+ advocates, politicians (some conservative) and members of the public in condemning your proposed law change. But just like your contempt for immigration, affordable healthcare, questioning of your finances and basic human rights, you have made your position clear: Those who don’t fit into your vision of a “great” America, don’t matter – a far cry from your election campaign in which you pledged to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

And while your rallying cry was to empower the disenfranchised, your supporters are fast learning that you are the one they have to fight to be heard. What’s so sinister about this sudden and unexpected policy change, Mr Trump, isn’t your trigger-happy tweets, but your readiness to deny the rights of transgender service members as a political move meant to deflect from wider issues like healthcare, or perhaps Russia's hand in the presidential election? In the end, though, when all is said and done, the unfortunate side effect of your administration isn't just the normalisation of the rhetoric of prejudice, but how it legitimises the hate that follows. One of your many critics, River Lin.

Reviews

Dykes on Mics Abigail Johnson went along to Dykes on Mics and found out there's more to Auckland's queer scene than just gay men.

One undeniable truth about the queer community is that our cisgendered, gay, white brothers are our mostseen members — whether it’s on TV shows like Modern Family, Glee and Will & Grace, films like Brokeback Mountain and A Single Man, or public figures like Stephen Fry, Elton John and Neil Patrick Harris — the scene is awash with gay men. You can, of course, counter this with the likes of Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Ellen DeGeneres and Wanda Sykes, but the truth remains: If you Google Image search 'famous gay people' (because, why wouldn’t you?) you’ll do a fair bit of scrolling before you land upon a lesbian — Jane Lynch.

Held in the Tiny Theatre of Westmere’s Garnet Station, Dykes on Mics is, well, essentially just what it sounds like: Dykes (a friendly group of lesbians), Mics (a microphone) and a small stage. The microphone is passed to anyone who wants to perform — be it a song, a comedy routine or a poem. One of my personal favourites was a reading of Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss. It was truly inspiring. Dykes on Mics is open to anyone who identifies as a queer woman, with koha entry. There’s an eclectic a mix of young and old, performers and applauders (me).

This is not to say it’s all coming up roses for gay men; We live in a society that promotes toxic hyper-masculinity, and men who disrupt this core value put themselves at notable risk.

The night is emceed by the inimitable Cissy Rock, who in 2016 was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the LGBTQIA community.

However, because this group is so visible, the queer social scene in Auckland tends to be dominated by cis gay males, and can often look a bit bleak for young lesbian or bisexual women...

An Auckland lesbian icon, Cissy is a joy to watch — a budding comedian and an enthusiastic cheerleader. If you’re looking for encouragement, she’ll be sitting in the first row.

Enter, Dykes on Mics.

Dykes on Mics is a vital reminder of the talent within the lesbian community, a talent that isn’t always seen by the world, but is always there.

Dykes on Mics is described as a space where 'the lesbian community gathers and the magic of open mic unfolds, sometimes like a magnificent swan, other times like a cake stuck in a tin.' And that pretty much sums it up.

The next Dykes on Mics will be held at on August 27th at 7pm (85 Garnet Rd)

Call Me By Your Name

Morning Rave

NZIFF Film Reviewed by Ethan Sills

Whammy Bar | Auckland Reviewed by Georgia Merton

I thought I knew what to expect walking into Call Me By Your Name. When the film debuted at Sundance earlier this year, I hurried to read the book it was based on, and was completely engrossed and moved by the story. I thought that would be preparation enough for the adaptation, but little can truly prepare you for what a wondrous, beautiful story this is. Set in provincial Italy during the ‘80s, a teenager, Elio, strikes a connection with his family’s summer house guest, a young American scholar named Oliver. The two, played mesmerisingly by Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer respectively, dance around each other until it becomes clear their relationship is more than just a friendship. The stunning cinematography early on in the film is enough to take your breath away, but the relationship at the heart of this movie is easily the most beautiful thing on screen. It is handled with such delicacy and care that it is slow-building at first, but with a few subtle glances that steadily increase, director Luca Guadagnino shapes an utterly believable love story that has you falling in love with this world. The story is, perhaps ironically, straightforward, but some minor plot niggles do little to distract from the beauty of this masterpiece. There is one irritating flaw in an apparent unwillingness to show the physical intimacy of the two characters. It would not be an issue if there was no precedent set by the book, but as the director’s last movie, A Bigger Splash, fully embraced the sexuality of its characters, the decision to sanitise things is baffling. The love story remains beautiful and moving, but the aversion to be daring disappoints. Nevertheless, watching these two characters become close is gripping, their desire matched by the engrossed audience. Call Me By Your Name ultimately ends on a haunting shot that lingers long after it has cut to black, just one of the many reasons why this unapologetically romantic film will stay with you for days after.

Arriving at K road at 6.30am in the dark was disconcerting to say the least. My flatmates and I rolled up to Whammy Bar, bleary eyed and sportsgear-clad, unsure what to expect from this alleged 'morning rave'. Turns out it was the bees knees. Along with a sweet set from Dj Aroha, there was coconut water, coffee, and vegan birthday cake. A platter of fruit sat on the bar and ravers were happily peeling mandarins while they bopped their heads. Everyone appeared to be sober, but this was no cause for stiff limbs or akwardness – you couldn't help but dance. There was everything from twerking and polished hip hop moves to serene head-nodders and people swaying with their eyes closed. Within minutes we had cast our coffees aside and were vigorously cutting shapes. This particular Wednesday marked the first birthday of these pre-work dance sessions (hence the cake). They are run every second Wednesday by Morning People, who live by the motto #partyfirstworklater, and have brought the idea from Europe down to little ol' NZ. There’s a different DJ every fortnight, including the likes of Dan Aux and Yoko-Zuna. The idea is to rock up for a boogie, be it long or short, and start your day right. The general dress code is sporty/casual, and it costs $15 on the door. Top tip: Leave time to shower, you will get sweaty. I emerged into the first light of the inner city feeling like I been let in on a little secret (which is more than I can say for the gym). After all, when the first people you clap eyes on in the morning are already in party mode, how can it not be a good day?

The Humble Banana By banana fiend Crystal Wu, who apologises in advance for the terrible banana puns to follow Kiwis eat more bananas per capita than any developed country in the world, and it’s not hard to see why: they’re cheap, versatile and delicious; high in fibre, potassium and a whole bunch of other good bits; and can help curb sweet cravings. As a snack on the go, the base of a breakfast smoothie or in your favourite baking, bananas are pretty darn a-peeling, especially for students trying to eat well on a budget.* Here, I bring you a bunch of my favourite banana recipes:

Best Banana Pancakes Serves 2, gluten free

Ingredients: 1 ripe banana 2 eggs, lightly beaten Pinch of salt 1 tbsp butter or oil for frying Optional extras: 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (for fluffier pancakes) Instructions: Mash the banana with a fork. Add salt and baking powder (if using). Whisk eggs with a fork and stir into the mixture until all ingredients are combined. Melt butter or oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Spoon heaped tablespoons of mixture into the pan and cook for 1 minute, or until the edges look set. Carefully flip and cook for a further minute until both sides are golden brown. Serve with maple syrup and your choice of toppings. Chef’s tip: Because these pancakes don’t have flour, they can be a bit tricky to flip. It’s best to use a non-stick frying pan if possible.

Caramelised Banana Oatmeal Serves 1, dairy free depending on choice of milk Ingredients: ½ cup quick cooking oats 1½ cup your choice of milk 1 banana, sliced 1 tbsp brown sugar Pinch of salt Instructions: In a small saucepan, bring milk to the boil and stir in oats. Gently simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a separate bowl mix brown sugar salt. Coat sliced banana with the sugar mixture and fry over medium heat in a little butter or coconut oil until bananas are soft and caramelised. Stir bananas through oatmeal. Serve with your choice of toppings (I recommend toasted nuts, cinnamon or peanut butter). Chef’s tip: Oatmeal is a perfect breakfast option for cold winter mornings. It’s quick, easy and filling. This whole grain is high in fibre and low in GI, which means it slowly absorbs into our bloodstream, making us feel fuller for longer.

Chocolate Banana ‘Nicecream’ Serves 2, gluten free, dairy free

Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas 1 tbsp cocoa powder Optional extras: Chocolate chips Threaded coconut Roasted peanuts Instructions: Chop bananas into small pieces and freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight. Blend frozen bananas and cocoa powder in a blender or a food processor until smooth. Transfer into an airtight container, mix through your choice of mix-ins and freeze for a 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Banana Nuggets Yields 12, dairy free Ingredients: 1 ripe banana, mashed ¾ cup rolled oats ½ cup ground almonds ¼ cup raisins or dried fruit, chopped 1 tsp honey 1 tbsp vegetable oil Instructions: Heat your oven to 175*C. Mix all ingredients together. Divide into approximately 12 portions and flatten slightly on a greased baking tray. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Allow to cool before eating.

Choconana Smoothie Serves 1, gluten free, dairy free depending on choice of milk Ingredients: 1-2 frozen bananas 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tbsp peanut butter ¼ cup desiccated coconut ¾ cup your choice of milk Instructions: Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more milk if texture is too thick. Pour into a glass or bowl and top with crunchy granola for a delicious breakfast.

Chef’s tip: These ‘nuggets’ are the perfect energy boosting treat, great with a cup of tea or as a pre-workout snack.

Chef’s tip: Add a splash of coconut milk for a creamier texture.

*Be a conscious consumer and make sure you always buy Fairtrade bananas / Want to win yourself a big old bag of Dole bananas? Head over to giveaways page for details on how to enter.

Recipe

EAT THE RAINBOW Winter Wellness Rainbow Bowl

This nourishing bowl of colour is super simple to make, and will leave you feeling full of energy. And the best part is you can pretty much add whatever you like – roasted chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, nuts, seeds and spices – just go wild with whatever’s in your fridge! Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS •

6 small carrots

•

¼ tsp paprika

•

Olive oil

•

Salt & pepper

•

1 cup couscous

•

½ beetroot peeled and grated

•

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

•

300g falafel mix

•

1 bunch kale or other seasonal greens

•

¼ cup of pumpkin or sesame seeds

Recipe serves 2 Photo credit: @wellandfull

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 200 degrees C and line an oven tray with baking paper. Chop the carrots into 1cm rounds. In a bowl, toss carrots with paprika, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread the carrots onto the tray and bake for 20 minutes, or until softened. While carrots are roasting, bring a pot of water to boil. Once water is boiling, add couscous and cook to packet instructions. When cooked, drain water and add grated beetroot, lemon juice, a large drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper, and mix well to combine. Shape falafel mix into 6-8 small patties and cook to packet instructions. Set aside.

TO SERVE Remove kale leaves from stem and massage in a bowl for 2-3 minutes with a little olive oil (yes, we are telling you to massage your kale – Google it). Divide kale, roasted carrots, beetroot couscous and falafel between two bowls. Finish with a handful of pumpkin or sesame seeds and a dressing of your choice.

WORDFIND

Puzzles

Get to know your LGBTQ+ terms: K

E W

P F

S Q

M W

U U

R X

V F

L W

Q C

C T

X M

Z L

V O

S E

O E

G Y

X S

V L Y

E V

V K

K D

W J

O C

Q P

H E

T O

Q O

K S

B H

S F

Sex

Transgender

Agender

Gender

Queer

Genderqueer

Lesbian

Intersex

Cisgender

Gay

Asexual

Non-binary

Bisexual

Pansexual

Genderfluid

MATCH THE FL AG

R L

J W

Y Q

J R

V H

B M

M O

R V

B O

I G

W S

Q W

K U

W T

U I

M T

U G

K D

S F

M E

Illustrations by Dayna Patel

Gender Fluid

Gender NonBindary

Androgynous

Polysexual

Circle all the words in the wordfind, tear this page out and pop it into the box on the side of the red Debate stands. Do it and you could win a motherflippinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sweet prize!

Email:

Answers: 1=Androgynous flag, 2=Polysexual flag, 3=Gender Fluid Flag, 4=Gender Non-Binary flag

Name:

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Nominations open 7th August 2017. www.ausm.org .nz 35

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