Massive Magazine Issue 05 2021

MASSIVE MARCH 22/2021

ISSUE 05

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Table of Contents

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28

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06 News

10 Men Scare the Shit Out of Me

11 Tales of Covid and Tsunamis

12 Rainbow Capitalism

16 It’s Hard Out Here for a Bisexual

22 Thank Fuck for Gay Clubs

24 Artist Profile: Aden Meser

28 He Tangata

30 Only Fans DMs

33 Columns

38 Puzzles

39 Horoscopes

editor: Caroline Moratti sub editor: Jamie Mactaggart culture editor: Liv Redman

Guest Editorial: An Ode to my Gay Mum

news editor: James Pocock staff writers: Cameron Taylor, Elena McIntyreReet, Rimu Bhooi, Liam McGuire, Ari Prakash designer: Micah Davis-Rae photographers: Callum Parsons @callumoparsons.nz Liam McGuire illustrator: Tallulah Farrar @tallulahfarrar contributors: Aden Meser cover: Liam McGuire & Rimu Bhooi inside cover/spread: Aden Meser contact: editor@massivemagazine.org.nz Facebook/massive.magazine Instagram/massivemagazine www.massivemagazine.org.nz read online: issu.com/massivemagazine Got a letter to the Editor? Email editor@massivemagazine.org.nz to rant, flirt, complain, whatever x Massive is registered under the New Zealand Press Council which allows our reader to reach out to an independent forum for resolving complaints you may have.

Massive is also a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association.

The views, beliefs and opinions reflected in the pages of Massive do not necessarily represent those of Massey University, its staff, ASA, MUSA, MAWSA, M@D or the Massive Editor. MAWSA is an independent organisation that publishes Massive.

Send any queries or complaints directly to Massive at editor@ massivemagazine.org.nz. Massive is subject to the New Zealand Press Council. If a complainant is not satisfied with the response from W, the complaint may be referred to the Press Council: info@presscouncil.org. nz or online via presscouncil.org.nz.

By Rimu Bhooi I was thirteen when I found out my mum was gay. My mother and I have a complicated relationship, you see.

She was a bright and colourful woman, with brown hair, cut just short enough for the people around her to call it “boy-ish”.

I remember the days we’d spend wrapped up in quilts while monsoon rain bucketed down on the windows of our farmhouse.

The adventures; that’s how I remember her story-telling. She’d weave her experiences and history together in the same way golden thread held together the quilts that kept us warm. She was a tailor, an icecream truck driver, a business owner, a writer, a Geography major, and a mother to many. Three beautiful adopted daughters, and three with my dad didn’t seem to cover it. She was a mum; to the street kids without homes, to the children of the green

grocer who didn’t have enough money to cover their sick child’s medical bills, to the baby she helped deliver in a rural village, and to her own chubby squealing brown grandchildren.

But she was also gay. I never knew. I was a bit of a naïve kid to be honest, and just figured the “girl friends” she spoke about travelling the world with, were just good friends...

The day I finally figured it out was well after she’d died. I received a hand me down suitcase overflowing with photos and journals; each pic dated and the women in them named, each page filled with diary entries, poems, love letters and naked film photos. So many naked film photos... Fuck she was really gay, eh?

As I poured over this treasure trove of insight into who my mum was before she

was a mother, I felt a red-hot pain in chest. I can’t pinpoint exactly what emotion it was, but it was intense. I cried, I sobbed, I screamed internally, and I missed her.

It was five years later that I finally came out to myself.

Growing up in a brown household in a remote rural Indian village, I can tell you that gay people were few and far between. The only trans people I ever met were street performers known colloquially as “hijra”. These were AMAB people, and sometimes intersex, who self-identify as “Kinnar”, a neither man nor woman mythological creature who excelled at the performing arts. A western feminism lens would call them third gender/third sex.

They have existed forever, and in relation to the South Asian subcontinent, forever really does mean 10,000s of years. Most people in this community survive on the very fringes of modern post-colonial society by extortion, performing at ceremonies, begging, and sex work. It is a hard life, but I always understood them to be hired entertainment. They would perform for ceremonies; sing, dance, and play instruments at weddings and births, and wail at funerals. I remember them being there for important occasions, like the birth of my young brother, and then after my mum’s funeral.

My parents never acknowledged queerness in any way or in any sense of the word. Still, getting to be whoever the fuck I wanted, wear whatever the fuck I wanted, and hang out with whoever the fuck I wanted is pretty queer of my parents if I may say so myself. The thing you have to understand about India, and particularly where I’m from, is that tradition is everything. There was no space for gender non-conforming and non-heterosexual people to exist as equals. Looking back at my childhood, it always felt so free and open, but as an adult I realise even my parents were constrained in how they could raise us. My family were oddballs; an older brown Indian man, a white af New Zealand woman, raising three crossculturally adopted Bangladeshi refugee girls, and having three mixed kids of their own. On a farm nonetheless. It was more than just the language, culture, religion, colour differences though. The way we did things was whack; rebellion every step of the way. I wouldn’t say the mum conformed to the traditions of my Punjabi Sikh family, she reveled in it. She spoke Hinglish, a mixture of Hindi and English, and for all intents and purposes was described as the perfect in-law who dressed appropriately, and spoke respectfully.

Don’t get it twisted, she was a force to be reckoned with.

We only ever fought properly once, and she handed me my ass for being a self-absorbed twat. I came home from school later that day to find she’d made me a drawing on a rainbow with a message I can recite by heart having read it countless times since the day she wrote it.

Rimu Lawrence Bhooi, you are a fine and genuine person.

When you feel like others are getting to you, try and stand in their shoes, imagine what confusion they might be feeling. You are every colour in the rainbow and I love

you with all my heart xx It never meant much, until it was all I had of her. A confused and grief-stricken little girl pushed down whatever gay experiences I’d had as a child fooling around with “girl friends”. It never once entered my head that maybe watching Troye Sivan’s coming out YouTube video on repeat was a sign. That I’d only ever felt close to women, that I only ever had girl best friends. Boys were annoying, and rude, and girls just had their shit together.

It took me 18 years of going around the sun to figure out and admit to myself that I didn’t want to be the women I admired, I wanted to be with them.

I reckon my mum knew, or at least that’s what I tell myself.

I feel closer to her here in Wellington that I have felt in a long, long time. She lived in Petone with her partner, and ran a world famous in New Zealand fabric business (side note she supplied the Silver Ferns their fits for one of the Olympics). She was an activist and vocally gay. In the pile of history in that suitcase, I found a photo of her in Petone for Pride 1993, the year the Human Rights Act Te Ture Tika Tangata passed. As I look at the photo again, I can’t help but notice the similarities. I celebrated India’s legalisation of gay sex only recently, and I remember the fear that plagued me for the year I was out and it was still illegal to be gay in my hometown.

She was a formidable woman; a creative, an activist, a storyteller, and a lover of everyone and everything.

The only difference between us is that I don’t fit into this whole woman identity very neatly, though I think if she was alive today, she’d probably would want to identify differently too. Two very queer people, linked through lineage. Like mother, like daughter?

Letters to the Editor Why have we not talked about how Massey is fucking students over with parking at the Wellington campus??

I don’t want to pay $1/hour when I am studying in the weekend!!

Palmy has FREE buses, which are half FUNDED BY THE UNI!!!! Seriously wtf. Auckland has sooome free parking for students and a free shuttle for staff and students. Which is great considering Auckland and Wellington cost like $100+ extra a week to live.

Wellington is getting ripped off and I am ANGRY about it!!

MAWSA and Massive can you please do something about this??? I am sick of paying for my public transport and car parking in the weekend. I just want to learn. hiya, would you mind not telling capricorns to avoid men in the next issue horoscope please? the girl I’m sleeping with hasn’t spoken to me in 3 days

MASSIVE NEWS

Covid-19 vaccination plan in talks: fears that distance students may be left out JAMES POCOCK

NATIONAL NEWS

Free Covid-19 and flu vaccines could roll out to all three Massey campuses in July or August this year.

ASA President Ben Austin says that there have been discussions with Massey’s crisis management team (CMT) about vaccines and says that the two free vaccinations made available on campus for all staff and students is likely to go ahead.

“Massey was wanting to try and do free vaccinations on campus. They want to do that in our health centres and potentially in other places. They’re going to try and vaccinate staff and students at the same time,” Ben said.

Discussions

about

other

rules

and

regulations

accompanying the rollout also took place, such as “putting a ‘no vaccination, no teaching’ thing in place. I’m fairly certain that’s for lecturers, and if the lecturers don’t get a vaccination, they can’t teach in class, unless there is a medical reason they can’t. It was something mentioned that they might want to implement.”

However, Ben didn’t believe this measure was likely to be implemented, saying “I’m not too sure if that is going to go ahead. I have a feeling that’s not going to go ahead as harshly as they planned. It was pushed to the backburner quite quickly and the focus was brought quickly back to the vaccination rollout on campus.”

Ben understands that the free vaccinations are intended to cover all students, including international students, but says there was some concern about how distance students would be able to access vaccines. “That was more of a ‘we’ll wait until we get there’ kind of discussion but it should be a ‘now’ discussion to get those plans in place. But we will be waiting until July or August until we actually get the NEWS

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vaccinations in the third phase of the rollout I think.” Cultural or religious reasons for not getting a vaccination were not covered in the meeting with the CMT. Massey at Distance Co-president Jax Watt was “disappointed” with Massey’s answer to distance students.

“I was at the HSS committee meeting where this was discussed and raised concerns about the efficacy of access regarding distance students who did not have access to a Massey campus. Amy outlined that it was currently not being feasible to roll out something that encompassed all distance students right now, especially international distance students,” she said.

According to a Massey spokesperson, the University is in discussions about the nationwide rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine but there are no confirmed plans at this stage. “We will be communicating with staff and students as plans are developed and look forward to supporting the rollout when that time comes. Massey students on placement within health facilities, such as nursing students, may be offered the vaccine in advance alongside the other frontline healthcare workforce staff,” Massey says.

Better than expected financial year for Massey will not boost the budget Maybe some of the saved money should go towards, you know, actually helping international students stuck paying increased border fees.

JAMES POCOCK

NATIONAL NEWS

Massey says that after “pretty much” breaking even in 2020, despite an expected loss of millions, this will not change how they plan to budget for 2021.

A $12.8 million loss was predicted for the end of last year, but instead only a small operating deficit of $100,000 was declared for the year ended December 31, 2020, below budget by $16.1m.

A spokesperson says that Massey’s financial position for 2020 was based on significant cost savings, which included reduced staff travel and improved staff annual leave management, and higher than expected research funding.

“We do not expect this result to have a material impact on the budget considerations for 2021 and beyond as several of the actions in 2020 that contributed to the improved result were one-off cost savings. In addition, due to the ongoing boarder restrictions, revenue is expected to be lower again in 2021,” they said.

O-Week? More like No-Week After postponements and delays, Auckland’s O-Week is officially cancelled.

CAROLINE MORATTI

ALBANY NEWS

ASA confirmed that the “originally planned O-Week” had been cancelled this semester, with president Ben Austin noting that, in lieu of the event, the annual Sex Quiz was held on Wednesday 17 “instead”. The event was originally postponed because of the first lockdown, with the second lockdown causing yet another cancellation.

One student told Massive that “fuck, it sucks, but let’s face it, the original O-Week wasn’t going to be that big anyway.

Last year, some mates of mine just went to Dunners for a rager instead of anything that ASA put on.” Another student said she’s “hopeful” for something in Semester 2, but admits “by then, the purpose is a bit defeated. O-Week is for making friends, that’s why having it in Semester 1 is important.”

As for clubs’ events, Ben says “club events are allowed to take place in Level 1 so it’s up to the clubs when they host their events,” with a rescheduled Clubs Day taking place on 21 April. “Since we only have just got back to Level 1 on Friday, a lot is starting to be in the works again.”

For all you disappointed freshers out there, just lock yourselves in your bathroom, drink a bottle of vodka and message your high school ex. It’s pretty much an exact replica of O-Week, trust us.

Massey welcomes its first official student volunteer club At least it’s called a club, not an army. Let’s stop the military-industrial complex, folks .

JAMES POCOCK

ALBANY NEWS

Massey Albany will soon be home to Massey University’s first official volunteer club.

ASA Engagement Officer and current club leader Fei Feng encourages everyone to come and join the Massey University Albany Volunteer Club. “The volunteer club NEWS

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will provide a platform for you to enrich your university experience, meet people who have the same enthusiasm as you, develop your leadership and communication skills, and help to build your CV,” she says.

She says that the ASA Executive came up with the idea for the club after a NZUSA meeting in Wellington where they learnt about the National Student Volunteer Army (SVA).

“ASA used to have student volunteers just for the ASA events. We want to offer a wider platform for students to engage in more on-campus and off-campus volunteering activities,” she says.

The club has over 50 members now but is still in the application process for affiliation with ASA. They have been in contact with the national SVA body, and Feng says that the club will join with them after the ASA affiliation process is complete. This would make the Massey University Volunteer Club the first Massey-based chapter of the SVA from any of the three campuses.

Fei says that they plan to organise volunteer activities twice a month.

“The first event might be the Omaha Fishing competition on 10th April held by ARHT (Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust), our student volunteers will help with bucket shaking, auctions, kid’s zone, prize giving etc.” They plan to hold their first Annual General Meeting this week in the ASA Lounge on the Albany campus, check it out if you’re keen.

On that note, if anyone wants to volunteer to help write Massive...please...we need it.

Repeated car thefts at Manawatū campus carpark Three so far this semester, and we’re not even halfway yet. What the fuck?

JAMES POCOCK

MANAWATŪ NEWS

The Orchard Road carpark on the Manawatū campus has been the site of three incidents of vehicle theft so far this semester. The most recent incident occurred Monday 8 March, when a PhD students’ car was stolen and left burnt out at Victoria Esplanade.

A Massey spokesperson said, “The amount of recent spate of vehicle thefts from the Manawatū campus carpark is unusual for any time of the year, however it is mirroring the vehicle theft trends occurring around the Manawatū area. Investigations are done by the NZ Police working with Massey Security.”

The thief in the last incident was able to exit through the carpark barrier arms during the day without scanning a card or ticket by tailgating another car. The Massey spokesperson says the barrier arms are designed so they do not fall on vehicles that may be a longer length, stopped at the exit or slow at exiting.

“If someone is tailgating the arm senses this as one vehicle and will stay up, however Massey Security is working with the infrastructure supplier to find a solution.”

Massey Security had previously told Stuff that there would be several measures taken to minimise the risk of further theft, including an increased security presence as a deterrent, constantly monitored CCTV, a review of CCTV locations to ensure the best coverage, and a review of security signage to see if it was clearly visible and a deterrent.

Miscommunication leads to missed class for Vet students Vet students complaining about missing class? Now there’s the real story JAMES POCOCK

MANAWATŪ NEWS

Vet students were left frustrated by a mix up in communication between Massey and a lecturer which resulted in many missing a two-hour lecture during the last lockdown.

Third year Vet student Staria says that Vet students were told that all classes would be held online on the Monday 8 March and Mediasite recordings were cancelled. She tells Massive, “On Monday, Andrew Worth ran his two hours of lectures in person and because of that late notice barely a third of the class came, and it was never recorded for the others at home.”

Staria believes the blame lies with issues in Massey’s communication to its staff. “I think most of the communication issues are related to Covid-19 and instructions don’t get passed around all staff, and then staff don’t all follow the same guidelines.”

Classmate Kylie* says that she believes there was still an audio recording made of the lecture for those that couldn’t make it, but agrees that there was a failure of communication on Massey’s part when it came to getting information to its staff. “In general Massey is really poor at communicating with both staff and students.” Her classmate Catherine agreed with this point, but added that “it is hard when the situation is changing constantly so I’m sure they were trying their best”.

Massey says that that Monday was still operating on the Level 2 timetable, despite Manawatū being in Level 1, because of the time it takes to change the timetable and buildings and was planned to return to normal the next day.

“The intention of the lecturer having returned from leave (away from internet coverage) and knowing the country was in Alert Level 1, was to present in the lecture theatre for those that were in attendance, but that anyone who was wanting to follow online would be able to do so given virtually all the BVSc lectures are in Mediasite capable rooms with recordings available,” Massey said.

NEWS

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The Mediasite recording did not record because the room booking was not reinstated for the class in time. “When the lecturer realised that the lecture wasn’t being recorded, they recorded audio on their phone to share with the class.”

Students disappointed to miss the lecture have the option to listen via the recording made on the day, or in addition, the lecturer has also offered to repeat and record the lecture using Zoom if needed.

Wellington students no longer enjoy free parking on weekends or after hours

free services exist for Wellington students, and now with the recent changes, students are feeling the pinch.

Wellington exec welcomes new Sustainability and Wellbeing Officer Who knew by-elections could be this thrilling?

Not me!

CAROLINE MORATTI

WELLINGTON NEWS

Students once again not consulted about changes!!!

Thanks a bunch Massey JAMES POCOCK

WELLINGTON NEWS

Students at Massey’s Wellington campus are irritated by recent changes to the charges for designated parking.

These changes mean people can no longer park free of charge after hours or on weekends.

A Massey spokesperson says that a new automated License Recognition Plate system and Parking Application payment system (Parki App) was implemented last month, with new payment machines administered by Care Park.

“Massey University security and Care Park found an increasing number of residences and public users were parking for extended times on campus and were leaving cars on campus overnight and on the weekend, disadvantaging both students and staff, hence why a change has been made to after hours and weekend parking. The change in charges only impacts a small number of designated carparking areas and Permitted Staff and student parking remains the same,” they say.

Massey says that students were not consulted about the changes because they were “minimal”.

Students disagree. One Design student says that the new changes “suck ass”. “I used to be able to park late at night and go work on some stuff in the workshop, and it was super chill. To now charge students feels like a low grab at some extra cash by Massey. Students are worse off, and we already pay those fuckers enough in uni fees.” Another student told Massive, “I can kinda understand paid parking when otherwise everyone’s trying to park during the day.

But the weekend? It’s so quiet, it’s only for us library nerds, just let us have this one small thing.” Of all the students that Massive spoke to, none thought that the changes were warranted or a good idea.

In Manawatū, buses are free within Palmerston North city, and to travel to and from the campus, thanks to Bee Card, which is partially funded by Massey University. In Auckland, Massey offers free parking for students, alongside a free shuttle bus service between Oteha Rohe, Albany Village, and the East Precinct for students and staff. None of these

Fiona Lu won a tense race to become MAWSA’s newest Sustainability and Wellbeing Officer. After the shock resignation of the previous Sustainability Officer, Joe Ogle, anyone weirdly interested in student politics can breathe a sigh of relief.

Tessa Guest, President of MAWSA, says the by-election was a “huge success”. Overall, there were four candidates, and 274 total votes counted. Fiona won the popular vote with a whooping 131 votes, followed by Luca Gray with 72, Gidienne Johnson with 37 and Yastika Chawla at 8. There were also 18 abstentions and 8 no confidence votes. Nice.

Fiona, a third year fashion student, says she’s “extremely grateful for the support” shown. Her committee will aim to “improve the way we recycle and bring in compost bins to decrease rubbish going into our landfills” alongside “reviving the garden, sustainability week, collaborations and just listening to the students”. I wish someone would listen to me; I just want the old vending machines back.

Tessa says, “I’m excited to have someone to knows how to garden in the team. Our mint will finally be revived!” I’ve seen that mint, Tessa. There’s no saving it.

NEWS

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OPINION: MEN SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF ME

TW: Mention of abuse, harassment and assault I’ve spent my life in male spaces. From all-boys’ schools to barbers, sports games and garage parties. My family is 3/4s men, my friends growing up were boys. I’ve seen men turning hurt to anger towards others, and turning anger to violence. And they scare the shit out of me. All of them.

All-boys’ schools especially are the starting point. The festering pit of unchecked behaviours, stories told without the perspective of anyone that’s not a cis dude considered.

Bragging about drunk hook-ups, sharing nudes like currency in the playground, transphobic comments and homophobia from teachers. It’s a cesspool of abuse masked as jokes and banter.

Let’s jump the gun here, I’m not saying all men are shit, I’m not saying only men are scary, but when you’ve spent your life around men, but not as one, you learn pretty quickly that any man can be a threat, and therefore all of them should be treated with caution. If you were handed a bowl of M&M’s and told one in every four could kill you and you’d never know until it was too late, it’d be pretty understandable to be apprehensive about digging in. The same goes for people. If you have been hurt, abused, or assaulted again and again at the hands of men, having a deeply ingrained fear isn’t a hateful thing, it’s a survival mechanism.

As a disclaimer, I’m a queer, non-binary AMAB (assigned male at birth) person, who has grown up in the depths of toxic masculinity. For those who haven’t, those who aren’t men, I know men are scary. I know every hook up in town is a risk and every walk home is a gamble, but in male spaces, being around men when they think no-woman is watching is even more despicable.

That “locker room talk” is never a joke, it’s a statement.

The denial of emotions only leads to bottled anger and violence, or desensitisation from the realities of your actions.

Accountability does not exist for people who have grown up to consider anyone “sensitive” as feminine, and anyone feminine as lesser.

But this isn’t for queer people, this isn’t for women. This is for men. Straight, cis men in particular. I have grown up as one of you, I know your friends, I know why you think the way you do and the methods used to bend you into this narrow archetype. But that’s no excuse. That girl in town is

too drunk but still flirty? Leave her the fuck alone. Someone walking home looking especially hot? Think your comment, keep your mouth shut. Getting nudes on Snap? Be grateful, don’t screenshot, and go about your fucking day.

Your upbringing was horrendous, you were told from day one that to have power is to be strong, and to be strong is to be a man. That sensitivity is weakness, that taking responsibility is subservience. I don’t blame you for turning out the way you did, but I blame you for not seeing what it did to others and getting better for it. To stop causing hurt you have to admit you’re wrong, and to admit it you have to be vulnerable.

Now I know some of you will potter on about “men get abused too” and sure. Yes. They do. But even as a mascpresenting person, all of my abuses and assaults have come from men. All of the men I’ve tried to talk to about my abuse have minimised my feelings and experiences. When you use abuse against men as leverage for why we shouldn’t care about abuse from men you’re not helping anyone. And if you want to stop abuse, start with your friend circle, or better yet, yourself.

Check in with your mate’s mental health, cut off that asshole that’s saving nudes, shut your buddy up if he wants to cat-call. Be better. Do better. Listen when someone says “no”, when someone says “not tonight”, or “can we just cuddle?”. Admit to yourself that you have caused pain, and strive to do better for everyone around you. A woman shouldn’t have to be your daughter, mother, sister or friend for you to care about her experiences.

To the trans women who walk home from work in the dark, the trans men who go to the gym surrounded by sport-loving breathers, the people with pride pins and anyone queer existing out in the open: I am proud as hell that you’ve made it this far. For the baby-gays, the conservative-family-queers, and those who just aren’t sure yet: I see you, just keep taking it one day at a time. To the women who clutch their keys in carparks and taxi-rides, I’m sorry, I know your fear. And to men, cis, straight, white or otherwise… Pull your fucking socks up, be better to the people around you. The admiration of your friends isn’t worth the hurt you’ll cause the people who you’re supposed to protect.

OPINION

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TWO NATIONAL EMERGENCIES: ONE DAY

Massive talks to students about the tsunami, lockdown, and the general shitshow of the past few weeks

By Ari Prakash Even though Covid-19 has been around for a year, every time your phone omits an ominous screech, it’s still a complete feeling of “oh fuck”. Aucklanders have had it worse than anyone, with several lockdowns interfering with the start of the university year. O-Week was postponed, and postponed again. Freshers were confined to their halls, unable to pash and spew on the streets like God intended.

At first, the lockdown was loathed and feared. Now it’s almost treated with the shrug of the shoulders, and a groan of annoyance, like cleaning up after a Friday night. No one wants to do it, but it’s got to be done. After four lockdowns, the tsunami warning was almost a welcome relief for some.

A minor annoyance for others. For a few, it was a double whammy of unexpected surprises, which at this point - most of us are too fucking tired to care about.

Jemma managed to escape from Auckland around midnight.

It gave a new meaning to the midnight run, but instead of stocking up at Pak’n’Save, it’s trying to escape Auckland before lockdown. And if you’re lucky, escape the traffic too. Before the lockdown alert happened Jemma had some optimism that another lockdown wouldn’t happen but said, “I almost did expect it to happen at the same time”. It was the speed of it that was the most surprising, according to her, “we were here literally for a week, and then we were going into lockdown for a week. The same time we’ve been here.” When the tsunami warning struck the North Island with the ear-piercing sirens and deafening phone alerts, one of her first thoughts was “it was kind of exciting in a way”. A distraction from chronic “procrastination and online classes”. But the most exciting part of the tsunami ended up being the video of a wave belly-flopping sadly on Facebook. For Jemma, she “just sat in the car for like two hours,” with her mum. “It was kind of funny.

There was an ad for the tsunami warning and the next ad was the Covid-19 warning,” and the sudden realisation of the situation. The exclaiming thought of “Omg. What is going on?” It becomes hard to believe we’re living in reality when

it’s catastrophe after catastrophe.

The few others who decided to stay on campus had varying reactions to the news. With the lockdown beginning at 6am many made the most of their last night of freedom. At the time of the news, Selo was watching a movie in the CBD. His first thought was “shut the fuck up, I’m watching a movie”.

After realising it wasn’t a call when the theatre started ringing with alerts, the blame game started. It’s easy to blame the Government when something goes wrong, they have the biggest target on their back, and it’s the easiest shot to take.

This night was just one of the many nights cut short. The bus ride back full of disappointment. Others were disappointed by the sudden postponement of O-Week, yet again, which left one student feeling like “I wasn’t really having a proper first year experience, you know? It sucks that these things just keep getting cancelled. I feel like I’m struggling to make friends as a result.”

When the lockdown news came, Sean said he “was sad because I didn’t have work, and I was supposed to go drinking in town”. With no funds and no place to go, lockdown passed mostly via “Netflix, eating, sleeping and Tik Tok”. It was the mood for most of the week. That or drinking in one’s bubble to make the time go faster. Provided one had the numbers and supply. At the end of the lockdown, the malls were packed, and “everyone was legit excited to be outside”. There was also a traffic jam starting at the Albany Westfield Mall. So, the final question for him was whether or not he’d managed to go out drinking. His reply? “No… it’s only a Wednesday, but Saturday is coming.” It was only a matter of time before Auckland returned to normalcy or was screwed over by another wave of something or the other.

I guess that’s what the alerts are for, eh?

Overall, if it’s been a shitty few weeks for you, hang in there. Better times are coming. O-Week might be cancelled permanently, but at least there’s always...well, I don’t know.

Exams? Lol. FEATURES

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RAINBOW CAPITALISM COMPANIES ARE EXPLOITING QUEER CULTURE AND DISGUISING IT AS ALLYSHIP

FEATURES

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Wo r d s : R i m u B h o o i FEATURES

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“The liber move started a What does it mean to be q u e e r ? To e x i s t o u t s i d e the box, to shrug off societal expectations and pressures and be ourselves.

To deviate from the norms and to f i g h t t h e m . To b e q u e e r means to be different. It a l w a y s h a s . O n c e a s l u r, then reclaimed, now a way for them to profit off us. What a fucking shit show.

Rainbow capitalism has many names - pink capitalism, homo-capitalism, and queer capitalism. It has many faces too. From the mass-produced stickers and face masks with rainbows on them to the Rainbow Tick Certification, the leech that is capitalism has wormed its way into queer culture. It profits off our internalised homophobia. It makes money off our pain. It is not Pride.

When you grow up knowing that you aren’t going to be the person your family and friends expect or want you to be, that’s fucking scary. As Hannah Gatsby said in her brilliant Netflix special called Nannette, “the closet can only stop you from being seen. It is not shame-proof.” Shame is powerful. It’s a nasty feeling that businesses rely on. The beauty industry releases an eyeshadow palette for each day of Pride Month, it seems. You can never have too many rainbows, they say; shimmer, matte or even gloss. You’ll be happier, you’ll feel better.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a trans kid kicked out of home by your immigrant parents or a bi girl who is forced through conversion therapy by her church, or you just can’t be yourself at home, school or work because you’re worried about the consequences - fear not! The answer is definitely to buy more rainbow themed shit.

A person who is forced to hide in that closet and soak in shame is bound to be a little fucked up. And we are fucked up. Queer people need mental health support. We might not be able to make everyone stop being homophobic, but surely, we can boost funding for mental health providers? This last Government Budget only put $3.2 million towards rainbow-specific mental wellbeing.

In Aotearoa, there are somewhere between 291,000 to 727,500 people who are rainbow. Averages out to about seven bucks per gay. Hey, at least you could put that towards the KiwiRail Pride Edition train ride.

You’d just need to find another $162.

What is most curious about rainbow capitalism is how the rainbow community has recreated the status quo. You have to be a Ponsonby gay who goes to Pride and can afford gay themed shit to be cool. To be a “real” gay. What a load of shit. The queer liberation movement started as a riot. The liberation of the LGBTQ+ community will always be a protest.

But we are assimilating. We are going quietly into the night, applauding rainbow crossings and profile pictures with rainbow filters on them.

Businesses and governments are trying to convince us that if we are good and participate in the status quo by being good consumers, life will get easier. In truth, as rainbow folk, we have no choice whether or not we engage with capitalism. We gotta eat, pay bills, and make rent. We take jobs, I certainly do, where our queerness is commodified. That’s okay, but I am calling out the hypocrisy of rainbow capitalism. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

A huge part of how companies and organisations interact with the community is the Rainbow Tick Certification, a certification mark that says the group has completed a diversity and inclusion assessment process. It also asks staff to mark “occasions of relevance” like pride

festivals and publicly sponsor or support community events or organisations, like having a banner and stand at a festival. As of 2019, Massey University had paid over $20,700 to Rainbow Tick. Massey employs around 3,300 staff, and an online rainbow training and a rainbow leadership training are currently available to them. In the past couple of years, there has been a questioning of these trainings and whether they are adequate.

George, a trans student, recalls when an “anti-trans hate group”, Speak Up For Women, made a private booking at the Dominion Building. They also remember just how far the community had to go to ensure hate speech was not condoned by the University. They spoke about having to push the board very hard just to get the event canned.

“It wasn’t until petitions that Massey was going to get their Rainbow Tick taken away that they actually started to take it seriously.” Massey says the booking was cancelled, after health and safety complaints were made as the issue escalated, with the event eventually being held at Parliament.

In a very telling statement, George says, “It felt like they took having the Rainbow Tick more seriously than actually upholding the wellbeing of rainbow students.”

George explains that Massey having a Rainbow Tick “more appropriately represents Massey’s desire to look more progressive compared to other universities”. To George, having that tick means little else than performativity and tokenism.

Another student said that while they don’t know that much about the certification, “taking a public stance supporting the community is a good start for Massey”.

Many alumni and current students who are part of the rainbow community have a lot to say. Most are frustrated. When our country FEATURES

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queer ration ment as a riot.” is busy celebrating Pride, how are actual rainbow people feeling? Jem* is a bisexual student who says they haven’t encountered any biphobia on campus. They acknowledge that just because they haven’t been treated differently doesn’t mean that other community members have got it easy. Jem thinks that Massey shouldn’t be able “to get the tick if not all staff members agree to treat everyone equally with respect”. They are concerned that Massey may not be expressing help for all members of the community. Most students reiterated that they felt safer on Wellington campus than expected, attributing it to “Wellington culture”.

While individual staff have been supportive and keen to be inclusive, there’s an underlying tone of unease for some rainbow students.

About their mahi, George says, “I felt a little bit uncomfortable being queer in the industrial space just because I feel it is quite commercial, and capitalist, and very heteronormative.” But, the doctors, nurses and counsellors at Student Health Centres are helpful and supportive to transgender students; George says, “getting the access to physical medication I needed as a trans person... was very easy at Massey.”

A spokesperson from Massey says that the university “wholeheartedly stands by our commitment to diversity and inclusion published on our website” and that they “welcome all staff, students and visitors, including diverse ethnicities, colours and national origins, gender and sexually diverse persons, people in various kinds of relationships and family structures, dis/abilities, ages, political opinions, and employment. Every person deserves to be treated with respect and should be able to enjoy a working and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation.” Massey points to their participation in Auckland’s Big Gay Out and Wellington’s Out in

the City, as well as the appointment of their new Diversity and Inclusion Adviser, as examples of their active support of the Rainbow community.

Another student describes their feelings around the commercialisation of rainbow people and culture by companies. “They will claim they celebrate diversity, but I feel like if you looked at the diversity within their organisation, you’d find it doesn’t have representation for all members of our community.”

As the student explains, “If they really celebrated us, they’d hire us, they’d provide sensitivity training for their staff, and they’d hopefully put their money where their mouth is and contribute to queer organisations, not just add a rainbow to their logo.”

But the reality is, you might just get that promotion if you don’t talk to the media about the money allocated to Pride Month social media campaigns when you’re being paid less than your cishet co-worker. You’ll get a glowing reference from your high school if you keep quiet about the transphobic teachers. Hey, if you’re the least queer, maybe they’ll treat you like they do the straights. If you don’t fight or kick up a fuss and go along with it instead, you’ll be rewarded. That’s how rainbow capitalism works. It’s a cruel joke.

You come out of the closet, only to find it’s pretty shit out here if you disagree with “the way things are”.

No matter how many rainbow-laced shoes or badges from Shmotton On you buy or Pride pics you post to Insta, the reality stays the same. I’m @-ing myself here.

Our needs are pretty low down the list for people in power. They couldn’t care less about our wellbeing, and they’re profiting off us. The people in charge of the money simply don’t want to share it with us. Why are we spending money to make society feel better about our existence? Instead

of just handing over the hard-earned money we make, how about we protest? 1 in 5 trans people have been without a home at some point in their lives. 71% of trans and nonbinary people experience high or very high psychological distress. Rainbow young people are struggling. 68% of us are earning less than the median annual income. We have high rates of ill mental health. 84% of us have contemplated completing suicide.

47% of us have experienced sexual violence.

Combined with a disability, being Māori, Pasifika, or from an immigrant background, it’s even more dire to be queer. Are you fucked off yet?

George calls out the blatant difference between how the corporate world sees us, versus what the community really is. “Businesses are celebrating Pride as if queer people are already equal in this world but we simply aren’t.” Queer people aren’t just white cis gay men, they comment. On the contrary, George notes “all of the takatāpui, gender diverse and nonconforming people who are actually really struggling in the world because of capitalism”. They even went out to quantify that much of the crowd funding and resource re-distribution that happens today is run by queer people, especially queer people of colour.

George perfectly sums up how we, as a community, can move forward. “It is really inspiring to see all of the queer people who grew up in this world and are striving to buy land and build homes and create communities for all of the queer people and minorities who are hurting so that we can escape from it and live a life that isn’t full of suffering.”

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It’s Hard Out Here for a Bisexual

Words: Liv Redman Illustrations: Tallulah Farrar

Bisexuals- in the words of Hannah Montana- have the best of both worlds.

We can have a crush on Miley Cyrus and Jake Ryan at the same time, and it’s fucking awesome.

However, unfortunately there still exists some shitty stereotypes and stigma that linger around the sexuality, even today in goddamn 2021.

Massive delves into some of the assumptions and struggles faced by those who chill it out, take it slow and rock out the show.

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The realisation period

an extra woman was common from him, and quite frankly annoying.” Personally, I’d rather shit in my hands and smear it in my blonde hair than share a lover. I’d be open to it if it weren’t expected of me, perhaps I’m just stubborn or as most of us have been told - greedy.

First trying to figure out your sexuality is a fucking struggle. It can feel like you’re trapped in an attraction limbo, and once you’ve realised you’re bisexual, you might’ve already been labeled as something else based on previous or current relationships. One Massey student, Charlotte, says, “I’ve always thought about how I could be bi but never actually accepted it and came out until now aged 20. The struggle is by now I’m 20 and engaged to be married to a guy and haven’t had a ‘single and bisexual’ period to live fully in my sexuality!”

Labels

“Don’t even get me started on the stereotypical ‘pick a

Journalism student Elena is in a same-gender relationship, however, is still attracted to men but labelled by some as a lesbian. She says, “everyone, including my parents, assume that because I’m with a girl that I’m a lesbian when I’m not. I feel that still being attracted to men is a big part of my identity.” This labeling is a problem because if you’ve been labelled as a lesbian when you’re bisexual, it makes it harder finding a male counterpart when people have already made their mind up as to

“In my last heterosexual relationship, he knew that I was bi, so the conversation of having a threesome with an extra woman was common from him, and quite frankly annoying.” side you can’t like both’ or ‘but you have only ever dated guys’ or ‘you’re more likely to cheat’,” Charlotte continues.

These are just a few prime assumptions that seems to cling to the bisexual repertoire like shit to a blanket.

Reality is that you don’t have to pick a side; you can be attracted to the same gender even if you’ve only dated one; and you aren’t any more likely to cheat.

Threesome expectation “A struggle of being bi and in a committed relationship to a man, is the amount of times I’m with my partner and [we] see a girl noticing me and my fiancé both checking her out,” says student Dara. Definitely a bit of an awkward struggle that leads me to the next assumption...

What the fuck is up with people assuming that because you’re bi you are inherently wanting threesomes? Faith says, “In my last heterosexual relationship, he knew that I was bi, so the conversation of having a threesome with

what box you belong in. That’s why labels suck, but unfortunately people (including myself) naturally feel the need to know what someone is.

Even in gay relationships, some people feel that there needs to still be a gendered label on each individual based on their more dominant stereotypical characteristics within the relationship, and can sometimes even treat you as such. “My cousin, for instance, thinks that she [my girlfriend] is the man in the relationship, so when we all catch-up he gives her handshakes but gives me hugs.

My family also call her my ‘partner,’ as if saying ‘girlfriend’ is a bit taboo,” says design student Caitlin.

Needing to adapt Alex* said they find that their attraction for multiple people can be assumed by how they dress: “[When] applying for housing and work I have to dress ‘straight’, because I know that those in power of employment and housing so often discriminate regardless of legality. Around elderly people I suppress my mannerisms, language, and clothing just to feel safe.”

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I f

When being around straight men, Alex finds that they automatically drop their voice a few keys and take on blokey language, “Not to fit in, not to be liked, but to not feel unsafe and threatened. It’s a survival tactic. I’ve had friends in the city assaulted for their sexual or gender orientation and I’m a small human being. Not exactly a fighter,” they said. The clothing thing isn’t spoken about enough. How are we meant to dress for us to fit in? If how we dress defines what we’re attracted to, then how the fuck are we meant to communicate that we like more than one gender?

coming out wasn’t hard enough, having friends and/or their families on-edge about what you’re attracted to definitely hits the heart somewhere vial. Brooke says, “I’ve had lady friends that put up pillow walls when I sleep in their bed and my best friend had to tell their Christian parents (who were like my adopted parents) that I’m straight so that I could still come over to hang out and have sleepovers.”

Overall, yes this has been a marticle (moany article), but being bi does have some great benefits such as (but not limited to): being attracted to more than one gender; being available to more than one gender when single (or not, whatever floats your goat); jumping up’n’down with joy when you meet someone who understands this specific part of you – the list does go on.

Express yourself, love yourself and others! All we can do is hope and educate. Hopefully these struggles and assumptions will fuck right off sometime in the near future.

Some friends The worst is when you start getting the hots for straight people. Even worse when that straight person is your best friend. Gemma said, “I had a crush on my best friend and she loved to hold hands, hug, cuddle, but she is as straight as they come. It was absolute torture and I couldn’t exactly tell her, ‘Hey please stop holding my hand I like you,’ because she didn’t know I had a crush on her OR that I was bi.”

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MASSIVE

Whoopsie Daisy & Faux Femm Photo By Aden Meser

t h a n k f u c k for gay clubs WORDS: ELENA MCINTYRE-REET PHOTOS: ADEN MESER

Above: The Bombay Bombshell

Going to town for a night of absolute mischief followed by insane regret is a vital part of everyone’s student experience. Frolicking down Courtney Place, or K Road or, whateverthefuck Palmy town is called. Trying to convince bouncers that you’ve only had a couple, and your pupils are just always this big. Buying overpriced drinks, or even better getting them bought for you. Most queer people know that clubbing is not the most inclusive environment. If you’re out and proud then walking into your standard club can be a moment of pure anxiety. Gay bars offer a space where we can be nothing but ourselves, even if the drinks are still pretty overpriced.

Situated at the ass-end of Cuba street, Ivy Bar offers a place for queer people and their straight friends to dance the night away to songs they actually know, with like-minded people.

For women especially, Ivy is the place to go when you want to have a night out without having a sweaty, half-erect penis grind on you to the beat of terrible drum and bass music. It’s hot as fuck and there’s no cell service but going there for the first time can be kind of transformative. As a baby gay walking to Ivy for the first time you’re filled with excitement at the prospect of spending time with people just like you.

The first great thing about Ivy is that they play great fucking music. Like real nostalgic shit, and people actually sing along instead of just awkwardly bobbing to the music. I would

Above: Faux Femm

much rather spend a night screaming the RuPaul’s Drag Race theme song than listening to the fucking Chainsmokers or something. Georgia*is a fourth-year Otago student but always makes a point to visit Ivy on her trips back home to Wellington. “The music is a highlight for me, just queer icons playing the absolute bops.”

Ivy doesn’t carry the same threatening aura as other clubs.

As a woman, you’re way less likely to be approached by a creepy dude. Becca, a fourth-year design student, feels safer in Ivy. “I know that no one is going to walk behind me and grab my waist, and if something did escalate, I get the sense that there’s no ‘Boy’s Club’ in Ivy’s management that’s going to protect asshole dudes.”

Becca actually makes a good point. At the risk of sounding too trendy, Ivy is woke as shit. Their website makes it really clear that they won’t tolerate any out-of-pocket behaviour.

They stress the importance of getting consent and drinking responsibly. Whether or not this is as strictly enforced as it should be is unclear, but at least they’re publicly taking a stance.

People can come to Ivy when they don’t feel safe in male dominated or ‘straight’ clubs. One student told Massive that Ivy is the only club they go to now. “I used to go to the standard clubs on Courtney Place. Because I’m not straight passing, I was always on high alert expecting trouble, which is no way to spend a night out. Ivy means I can dance and have fun with my friends without fear of a guy in a polo shirt calling me a slur.”

Right: Harlie Lux and Yonic Kunt

Walking into a club and seeing so many people just be unapologetically queer is something really special. There’s always the odd straight guy who’s been dragged there by his girlfriend, but even he’ll look oddly at peace. It’s not just students who benefit from the inclusivity of a place like Ivy. It’s been an institution for queer people of all ages. Kim is

thirty-one now and used to regularly ditch her straight friends to go party at Ivy. “My first time there was when it was on Courtney Place, it had three stories and a smoker’s deck, fuck I’m old.” You can still find her in there every now and then dancing the night away. Ivy, it’s timeless.

The general consensus is that drinking at Ivy is generally a more wholesome vibe. “There’s a feeling of safety and support there, it’s a good spot to explore your sexuality and have fun with your friends.”

Ivy’s position as a place for every kind of queer person is an essential part of Wellington’s queer culture. A spot where you feel comfortable to be who you are, regardless of who that is, is so important. Not only for queer people, but for anyone who feels uncomfortable or out of place in the typical ‘town’ experience.

Essentially, everyone should be able to get fucked up without feeling unsafe. There are definitely enough overpriced drinks to go around.

For Aucklanders, consider checking out The Eagle, G.A.Y, Caluzzi Cabaret, amongst so many others. In Palmy, rest in peace Club Q, we’ll miss you. Whenever you are, dear reader, make sure to check out your local LGBTQ+ bars, and if there’s not one, well, consider starting one. Be the change you want to see.

ADEN MESER Words by Micah Davis-Rae and Caroline Moratti Photographs by Aden Meser

Aden Meser, the quiet kid from Motueka, is pushing boundaries and breaking barriers. The photographer explores queer culture in an exciting and provocative way that’ll leave you only wanting more. The 22-yearold spoke to Massive about his life, projects and what’s next for the bright, young Massey grad.

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Aden Meser speaks about photography with such passion, it almost made me want to quit my job and pick up a camera.

Despite his reserved persona, Aden’s photography is bold, provoking and brimming with personality. His recent project To Be A Man is a photobook that tells the story of Aden’s life as a transgender man. It captures and beautifully contrasts the monumental events and quiet moments of a man undergoing a medical and social transition. Fresh out of Massey where he completed an Honour’s degree in photography in 2020, Aden is ready to fuck shit up.

Aden describes his early interest in cameras as not only a tool to express himself, but also as a way to make his high school experience a little more bearable.

“I really hated sports so I was just like ‘can I be the photographer for it’?”

Aden still remembers the first photo he took. It was at a year eight camp trip, which let’s face it, probably awoke things in all of us. Armed with a disposable camera, he set out to take photos of his surroundings.

“From then on, I knew, I wanted to be a photographer,” he says. He still has those photos even now, but laughingly admits, “they’re horrific, it’s so funny”. Aden still takes photos of his surroundings, but these days they look a lot different. In 2019, he organised 37 photoshoots over three months with “drag kings, drag queens, drag performers. Some in big groups, some on their own.” It was through this project that Aden’s connections in the drag community began to seriously grow.

In the two years since then, he has taken thousands of photos of drag artists in their element and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after photographers in the Wellington drag scene.

Rewind to 2017, and Aden was making the move from the small town of Mouteka to Wellington. He describes Motueka as “very reserved. I was keeping who I was mainly to myself. There wasn’t really a place [in Motueka] to be out as trans Model: Amy Thurst

at that point. I wasn’t out publicly.” Aden went to his first pride parade that year in Wellington and was transfixed. “I was like, urgh god, this is what I want to be doing! I want to be taking queer photos, just really, really queer photos.” Back then, to Aden, drag was this “amazing and incredible thing” that he would love to photograph, but he had no idea how to make the first move.

In his third year, he was able to realise this dream. He and Jack Rossie, a friend and collaborator, embarked on a project entitled “The Man Behind the King: Hugo Grrrl Documentary” around the same time, Aden also met his partner, “who was obsessed with drag and started doing drag themselves” which gave him the initial connections he needed to get his start in the drag community.

Years on, an Honour’s degree, a kickass portfolio and a full book on drag under his belt, Aden’s momentum is snowballing.

One of his next projects is to expand his drag book from 2019. “I have really big plans for it,” he reveals to Massive.

Currently, he’s in the process of applying for creative funding and grants, but admits it’s a slow process. “I think it can go far, it’s just a few years in the making.” In the meantime, Aden is trying his hand at starting a business, admitting his dream is to open his own studio.

Ideally, his dream studio would be “in Wellington Central, which sounds very expensive,” he laughs. “I want to do so many different kinds of things, it’s so hard to pinpoint. I really like things like event photography or concert photography.

And then I love studio and doing creative things, but I can do corporate things...I like it all!” Aden says his inspiration is Adam Elmakias, a famed music photographer, but acknowledges the music scene is notoriously hard to break into.

Aden admits that, as much as photography is his passion, “I feel like I’m quite socially anxious and I put myself in situations where it’s like, ‘okay this is really hard for me but I know I want to be

doing with this’.”such Currently, Aden mostly which gave him the initial connections Aden Meser speaks about photography drag themselves” shoots withand “very hequeer people” passion, it almost made me want to quit my job needed to get his start in the drag community. saying, persona, “because I’m quite open pick up a camera. Despite his reserved Years on, an honours degree, a kickass portfolio and I am, there’ s instantly a Aden’s photography is bold, provokingabout and who brimming a full book on drag under his belt, Aden’s momentum kindBe of relationship with personality. His recent project “To A Man” and connection. is snowballing.

He has to plans to take the drag book s what I aim is a photobook that tells the story of It’Aden’ s life as for, a trying to create a and remake “I have really big plans for it,” he reveals. connection.”

He continues, “whenit.I’m transgender man. It captures and beautifully contrasts Currently, he’ s photographing anyone, even if they’rein the process of applying for creative the monumental events and quiet moments of a man and grants, a stranger, I’mout trying funding to treat them like but admits it’s a slow process: “I think undergoing a medical and social transition.

Fresh it can it’s just a few years in the making”. In the they’re degree a friend. in I’m like, howgo do far, I make of Massey where he completed an honours meantime, Aden this shit person photography in 2020, Aden is ready to fuck up. feel as comfortable as is trying his hand at starting a business, admitting his dream is to open his own studio. possible?”

Aden describes his early interest in cameras as not only a Ideally, his dream studio would be “in Wellington central, is, frankly, talented tool to express himself, but also as a wayAden to make his higha sickeningly which sounds very expensive,” he laughs. “I want to do photographer.

His Instagram is full of school experience a little more liveable. “I really hated so many different life and colour.

Aden explains that he kinds of things, it’s so hard to pinpoint. sports so I was just like “can I be the photographer for it?”

I really saying, like things loves posting on Instagram, “A like event photography or concert He says, laughing.

And then I love studio and doing creative lot of people can’t bephotography. open in real life, Aden still remembers the first photo heso took.

It was at people a things, but open I can do corporate things...I like it all!” Aden seeing other be super year eight camp trip, which let’s face it, on probably awoke says his inspiration is Adam Elmakias, a famed music the internet, it can really inspire and things in all of us. Armed with a disposable he recommends photographer, but says the scene is notoriously hard to help camera, them.” Aden you set out to take photos of his surroundings.

“From then break into. check out fellow artists Jack Rossie on, I knew, I wanted to be a photographer” says.Corlett, He and he Carissa the former who Aden admits that, as much as photography is his still has those photos even now, but laughingly has actedadmits, like a ‘mentor’ towards the “I feel like I’m quite socially anxious and I put “they’re horrific, it’s so funny.” Aden still takes photos of his passion, young photographer and opened her myself in situations where it’s like, ‘okay this is really hard surroundings, but these days they look studio a lot different.

In “She’s so nice, for his work.

I just for me but I know I want to be doing this.’” Currently, 2019, he organised 37 photoshoots over 3 months with love her so much.” “drag kings, drag queens, drag performers. Some in big Aden mostly shoots with “very queer people” saying, If you want to support or see more groups, some on their own.” It was through this project “because I’m quite open about who I am, there’s instantly from Aden, follow him on Insta at that Aden’s connections in the drag community began a kind of relationship and connection. It’s what I aim for, @adenmeser or on his website at to seriously grow. In the two years since then, he has trying to create a connection”. He continues, “when I’m adenmeser.com. His work is featured taken thousands of photos of drag artists in their element photographing anyone, even if they’re a stranger, I’m on the centrefold, the inside cover and and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after trying to treat them like they’re a friend. I’m like, how do I throughout this issue.make this person feel as comfortable as possible?” photographers in the Wellington drag scene.

Rewind to 2017, and Aden was making the move from the small town of Mouteka to Wellington. He describes Motueka as “very reserved. I was keeping who I was mainly to myself. There wasn’t really a place [in Motueka] to be out as trans at that point. I wasn’t out publicly.” Aden went to his first pride parade that year in Wellington and was transfixed. “I was like, urgh god, this is what I want to be doing! I want to be taking queer photos, just really, really queer photos”. Back then, to Aden, drag was this “amazing and incredible thing” that he would love to photograph, but he had no idea how to make the first move.

In his third year, he was able to realise this dream. He and Jack Rossie, a friend and collaborator, embarked on a project entitled “The Man Behind the King: Hugo Grrrl Documentary” Around the same time, Aden also met his partner, “who was obsessed with drag and started doing

Aden is, frankly, a sickeningly talented photographer. His Instagram is full of life and colour. Aden explains that he loves posting on Instagram, saying “A lot of people can’t be open in real life, so seeing other people be super open on the internet, it can really inspire and help them.” Aden recommends you check out fellow artists Jack Rossie and Carissa Corlett, the former who has acted like a “mentor” towards the young photographer and opened her studio for his work: “She’s so nice, I just love her so much”.

If you want to support or see more from Aden, follow him on insta at @adenmeser or on his website at adenmeser. com. His work is featured on the centrefold, the inside cover and throughout this issue.

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He Tangata

Wellington Pride’s opening gala was a breathtaking unveiling of takatāpuitanga WORDS AND PHOTOS: LIAM MCGUIRE

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“I have always been told that I would never be a dancer. That I was too fat, too tall, and too Māori to dance… Fuck that. But this is my night, and it is my driving passion, and here I am, a big-bodied fem non-binary takatāpui taking up all this space in this motherfucking colonial building.”

On 13 March in the Wellington Opera House, a building so often dominated by cis white gays, came the launch event of the Wellington pride festival, He Tangata. Created, performed and codirected by Jayden Rurawhe and Paris Elwood, the piece was emotional, conceptual, beautiful, and proud to its core.

A beautiful, heartwrenching and hopeful display of the past, present and future of takatāpui in Aotearoa.

“Takatāpui” has no direct English translation, and as a white queer person myself, I do not have the nuance to attempt an explanation in my own words. “Takatapui.nz - A resource hub” describes the word and its meaning as “a Māori word, historically meaning ‘intimate companion of the same sex’. The term was reclaimed in the 1980s and used by individuals who were gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or part of the rainbow community. The use of ‘takatāpui’ as an identity is a response to western ideas of sex, sexuality and gender, and emphasises one’s identity as Māori as inextricably

linked to their gender identity or sexuality.”

“He tangata”, however, translates

seamlessly, with legendary trans MP Georgina Beyer triumphantly reciting “he tangata, he tangata, he tangata. The people, the people, the people”, at the closing of the show. He Tangata, seemingly named in a celebration of unity and oneness, was beautifully choreographed, directed and performed. The show describes itself as “exploring whakapapa and stories of takatāpui existence, to remember, mourn and heal from generational trauma”.

He Tangata told a story in motion, dancers relaying a history of

queerness and takatāpui before and during colonisation; of how takatāpui were an accepted and revered part of Māori culture, with the show’s co-director Jayden stating “It is only through the white fingerprints of colonisation that this harmony was severed. But it is time to reclaim, to let our stories and voices be heard. To remind the world that we have always belonged. That we will always be He Tangata.”

The closing of the show featured speeches from the show’s creators, contributors and supporters, with queer MPs such as Elizabith Kerekere and Georgina Beyer taking the stage by storm. The most powerful of such speakers was Jayden Rurawhe.

Emotionally, Jayden stated “I have always been told that I would never be a dancer.

That I was too fat, too tall, and too Māori to dance…

Fuck that. But this is my night, and it is my driving passion, and here I am, a big-bodied fem non-binary takatāpui taking up all this space in this motherfucking colonial building.” And with that the roof of the ornate theatre was lifted, screams and cheers of queers, proud in every way, tore through the walls.

I have rarely felt such support in an audience. The willingness to listen and to sympathise, to understand and appreciate. He Tangata truly brought the people together, with every single soul leaving feeling more seen and less alone than they did before. It was, truly, one of the best ways to start Pride Month in Wellington.

FEATURES

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Unboxing my ‘Only Fans’ DMs Existing online in the male gaze is a hassle. Ask literally anyone with an online presence who’s not a cis dude. It’s a lot. As a non-binary person with an OnlyFans, my relationship with men online has the potential to be financially amazing, although it often ends up with desperate and nonsensical requests, with no reimbursement for the time and energy they have wasted.

From feet pic requests to harassment, dick pics and date requests, men online seem to take your existence as an invitation to interact with you sexually. It’s pretty fucked up as I’m sure you know, but some of the messages and requests you can get are strange at best, and downright disturbing at worst.

Some of you will be thinking “well you have an OnlyFans, of course they’ll be interacting with you sexually”. I get it, but… no. I put years of study and skill with cameras and hours upon hours of my time a week to create some top-notch nudes. Some people pay for access to these, and I appreciate them. It’s not a lot of money, but it helps me to afford my work, and makes the time and energy I spend worth it. I enjoy my work and my followers enjoy it too, but the cheapskates sliding into my DMs are far less appreciated.

Ohhh, your bird is so nice. I want more Interestingly enough, I do not own a bird, so I assume this means dick. 3/10.

“Love your bush baby (emoji) your body is perfect (emoji)” wanna smell that pubes Specific, mistyped, solid. 5/10.

“Hi babe, nice hairo dick”

You’re absolutely everything. Love your photos and how you so elegantly capture the beautiful of male anatomyxx

Reported your twitter :) The contrast provided a chuckle I’ll admit, but more confusing than concerning. 4/10.

“Want suck tour dick” No elaboration, just vague shit. Love it.

6/10.

Short, punchy, vague, misspelled. Nice. 6/10.

CULTURE

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Mmm ur so hot

Dick pic King big dick Dick pic Dick pic Dick pic Daddy I admire the persistence, less so the lack of taking a fucking hint. 4/10.

Hello how are you How to become my penis like this

help me please I don’t know if the “help me” is related to the prior message or this guy is in trouble, but a wonderful experience of nonsensical amusement. The grammar is quality too.

7/10.

“Hi! You’re really fuckin hot. I can’t imagine how many thirsty messages you must get lmao” The irony, oh the irony. No fucking clue when to take their own hint. Absolutely stellar.

9/10.

I have these desires and dreams… to become your toilet slave, and your butt be my superior.

“I would wish to be your toilet slave under a rim chair, you using me to take a sh*t in my mouth, and help me to understand my true meaning in life I was born for.

Would you do something like this? I would pay for the honour

How much would you charge for so that I could be your own personal toilet… and eat everything that comes out of your ass. and serve as your toilet Good LORD that was a lot to take in. Keep in mind this is a single, VERY long message that I have had to cut down. You certainly don’t leave anything to the imagination. I don’t mean to kink shame, but usually with something like this, you should probably ease into it, test the waters before going all in, right? Apparently not. For boldness, attention to detail, and straight up strangeness I give this the ultimate 10/10.

Please note that none of these people are paying customers, none of them got a reply, and none of them should be messaging me shit like this in the first place. As payment for their deeds, enjoy their pitiful words as a source of amusement. So, men. If you’re going to be gross in online spaces, a) don’t, and b) if you do, at least have the decency to make it so wack it’s amusing.

CULTURE

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The Wellbeing Space REST. RESTORE. RECONNECT

We want to enable you to thrive and to realise your potential SCHEDULED CLASSES

DROP IN & CHILL

WELLBEING TALKS

Guided meditations, yoga, arts therapy, mindful journaling, meditation courses, chaplains service.

Come in to rest your mind in our quiet, relaxing space during our non-scheduled times.

Want to learn how you can take care of your wellbeing?

Sign up for one of our wellbeing talks.

FOR MORE INFO AND TO SEE OUR SCHEDULE AND EVENTS VISIT https://myhub.massey.ac.nz/s/wellbeing Location: Wellington Campus, opposite the library

Culinarylingus

CHEESY NOODS 2020 was rough, yes. Kobe died, Chadwick Boseman died, Australia burned to the ground, we got doused in hand sanitizer and the pandemic raged. We all want 2021 to be bearable. So, I come to you with both good news and bad news.

The Bad News On January 27, Nunuk Nuraini passed away. I know what you may be thinking – who is she? Well, you’d better take a seat if you’re standing because Nuraini has had a huge impact on your life. She invented the Indomie Mi Goreng. She is the unsung hero that has kept our withering diets afloat, kept our mouths aflame, and bellies warm. May she rest in peace and her creation rest in pantries forever.

The Good News Upon hearing of her death, I immediately cooked up the three remaining packs from my ten-packer stacker and slapped ‘em in the biggest pot I had. I tossed in two eggs, and watched those bad boys poach and foam as the water tickled those stiff noods into the slippery deliciousness we all know and love. I’m a standard gal, so you can imagine how I cook my noods. Majority of water strained, with enough left over for a good lubrication and mix of flavour throughout. With my combo in my custom mega bowl, I was ready to dig in.

Something stopped me. Something didn’t feel….right.

I was trying to make a tribute to Nuraini, but from the research I had done upon hearing of her passing I learnt perhaps the greatest lesson of all: Be creative with your nudes.

All across the world people were posting tribute bowls of Indomie – they featured some extras ranging from the simplistic fried egg, to thick slices of gherkin, in your face meatballs, tantalizing tuna and perhaps most startling, massive wads of peanut butter! The options were endless, and I wanted to follow suit – I wanted to be the gal to pave the way to new territory, I wanted to be that trailblazer and discover something astonishing.

Let’s just say you don’t realise how useless and poor you are until you have to think on your feet whilst your noodles and only remaining food is rapidly cooling on the benchtop. True to my rural roots, I grated an enormous amount of that Edam excellence all over that slutty slipperiness. Result: heavy breathing and heart palpitations.

I encourage you, urge you, beg you to try it. If you’re lack-toes-in-taller-ant then don’t obviously, but take a look at the other creations across the internet. Noods can be creative, nudes can be exciting.

Ingredients: 1 pack of Mi Goreng (2 if you’re feeling cute) A truck-load of edam cheese.

Directions: Cook your Mi Goreng, add the grated cheese. Say grace and r-amen.

By Liv Redman

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Massey University - Wellington

Seeking Volunteers

Out in the City (Wellington Pride) Michael Fowler Centre March 27th - Saturday Event: 12pm - 5:30pm Set Up: 7am Pack up: 5:30pm Friendly rainbow students & staff (and allies), are wanted to help:

facilitate a safe space at our Massey stall alongside MAWSA and UniQ hand out rainbow freebies chat with people about Massey show that we are here for our rainbow and takatāpui communties All expressions of interest are so appreciated. Please let us know which hours work best for you.

KEEN? GOT A QUESTION? LET US KNOW YOUR AVAILABILITY SUBJECT: OUT IN THE CITY, VOLUNTEER rainbow@massey.ac.nz

How to Adult: Parallel Parking

By Liam McGuire

From one queer to another, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to fucking parallel park. Trust me, I’ve only backed into my flatmate’s car while parking once (that she knows of, shhh), so I consider myself an authority on this matter.

STEP ONE: HAVE A CAR I know that’s already stumped most of you, but notice I didn’t say your car, just any ol’ car will do. Let’s just hope your mate has insurance…

STEP TWO: FINDING A SPOT

backing in until you stop seeing the curb in your left wing-mirror. Now turn your wheel as far right as it’ll go, and ease back slowly until-CRUNCH STEP SIX: PANIC

Oh god, oh fuck, what have you done?

Like being the little spoon in a one night front of your space as possible, with stand you’ve slid your ass too far back your wing mirror just in line with the and bumped into something hard. Not again. Please god no. Remember that back of the drivers’ side door. account balance? You can’t afford this STEP FOUR: CHECK YOUR shit. What’re you gonna do?

ACCOUNT BALANCE STEP SEVEN: DISAPPEAR You’re poor as it is, just look into the dwindling savings you’ve dug into for Abandon ship. Drive off, hope to god iced coffees and tickets to parties. Good, no one saw you and posted it up on vic now you know the stakes. Take a deep deals. Change your name, shave your head, move to another part of the country breath and proceed with caution. and pretend this bastardly expedition never happened.

STEP FIVE: BACKING IN

You can’t park a car when there aren’t any carparks, so track down an empty space and hope to hell you’re gonna fit. Sorry to the power bottoms, but this tight fit will have to be the right size, not something you can lube your way into. Turn your wheel as far left as it’ll go and slooooooowwly back up until you’re on STEP THREE: LINING IT UP a 45-degree angle with the car ahead.

You’ll want to get as close to the car in From there, straighten up your steering wheel (good luck with that) and keep

FINALLY: LEARN For fuck’s sake… How did you not know this was going to happen? Next time just get a damn uber.

Sexcapades I was bringing my boyfriend, let’s call him Ted, to meet my parents for the first time and I was SO nervous. My parents are pretty chill, but still a little uptight, in that middle-aged way. We’d never even discussed things like drugs or masturbation, it was a strict ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. But anyway, did the fucking thing, had a nice dinner, it was all going swimmingly. I could tell that the bf was feeling a bit frisky during dinner, his hand was almost too far up my leg, and well, I was game. During when my parents were making dessert (ambrosia, who even eats that anymore) I snuck upstairs with Ted to get busy.

I didn’t really have any lube for a decent handjob and no condoms for sex (we were still a new couple, bless) so a blowjob it was. I was doing some fucking AMAZING work, maybe my finest. The trick is to use your tongue

like it’s a screwdriver, either the tool or the ice-cream, I’m not really sure.

But some twisting motion is good, don’t forget about the balls either. Soon enough, there was moaning and panting, I knew he was close.

You know how you lose track of time when you’re down under?? Well soon fucking enough, my parents came upstairs to see what was taking us so long. They burst in, just as Ted was climaxing. It was like a scene from my worst nightmare. I was nose deep in balls, and I looked up, startled,

cum around my mouth and making eye contact with my dear mother. Ted quickly tried to cover himself up, but everything was on display, let’s be honest. My parents hurriedly closed the door and went downstairs. I was like FUCK, and not in the good way.

Took a quick shower, brushed the teeth, arranged the clothes, but there was no hiding what had passed. In the end, all we could do was go downstairs, make awkward small talk and eat ambrosia.

And let me tell you, ambrosia is 100x more awkward when you’ve been sucking cock for the better half of the evening. Wow, what a delicious creambased dessert! Honestly, worst night of my life.

Got a confession, a naughty tale, a sexy story? Email sexcapades@ massivemagazine.org.nz to submit yours xoxox COLUMNS

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SNIP, SNOP, SNAP SEND US YOUR SNAPS TO GET FEATURED IN NEXT WEEK’S EDITION

@massive_mag

Exec Columns

ASA VP: MICHAELA FUTTER

MAWSA VP: ELIZABETH HODGSON

MUSA: FATIMA IMRAN

Congratulations!

You’ve almost made it half-way through the semester. What an accomplishment. Now I know what you’re thinking… I look like a fucking garden gnome in my photo, don’t kink shame me.

Seriously though, the ASA is here to serve YOU. WHAT DO YOU WANT? Help me help you.

I’ll do the mahi to get you free shit, email me your requests at vp@asa.ac.nz. Speaking of, free period starter kits available at ASA reception, no need to ask, just go help yourself. Keep your bloodshot eyes peeled for other fresh freebies in the coming weeks, did someone say Whittaker’s chocolate?

Hello! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week. I cannot believe it’s week 5 already, I swear it was just the start of the semester and now I have a million things due next week. Thank god midsem break is so close. Let’s keep pushing through and we’ll soon all be relishing in those two weeks that disappear too fast.

What keeps me motivated is planning something fun to look forward to as a study bribe. E.g, a day dedicated to exploring op shops or an entire day watching films and eating Maccas, (R&R amirite??) Stay groovy <3

Annyeonghaseyo everyone!

Summer is officially gone so get ready to arrive and leave uni in the dark. The last week was certainly a big one with the earthquake in Japan and the second anniversary of the Christchurch Shootings. My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected.

It is important in times of hardship to bounce back and strive for the better. With selection tests or assignment deadlines approaching, it is integral to find motivation. I always find thinking of myself at my dream job or doing things in my spare time that are associated with where I want to be really gives me the inspiration rush I need. One third through the semester already. Let’s keep on going.

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Which continent lies in all 4 hemispheres?

If you dug a hole through the centre of the earth starting from Wellington in New Zealand, which European country would you end up in?

Who hosted the 2020 Oscars?

What is the collective noun for a group of unicorns?

Name the New Zealander who in 1999 became the first transgender MP in the world, as well as one of only a few former sex workers to Easiest Sudoku,Book 2 Easiest vhold political office.

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SUDOKU

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toothbrush (3) 19. Dorothy’s Dog (4) 21. Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 Album (4) 22. Jesus fangirl (3) 23. “Shine bright like a _____” (7) 24. Tyler the Creator’s 2019 album (4) 25. M’lady (6) 26. You get these points ifyou’ve been a naughty driver (7)

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4-letter words: 13 5-letter words: 6

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Horoscopes Aquarius:

Aries:

You’ll receive a telephone call that will change your life. Whatever you do, resist the urge to drop out of university. Or, drop out, but at least keep reading Massive. It’s a form of education, of sorts.

Last week you had a few meltdowns. Keep yourself busy and take up some baking. The turbulence coming won’t be as bad as what you’ll make it out to be! Relax, enjoy the beach, and for god’s sake stop screaming at your mother.

Choking is only something to be enjoyed in the bedroom so please chew your food properly!

Cancer:

Capricorn:

It’s time to half the amount of hair product you’ve been using. You’re lookin’ fine! Strut your stuff and feel confident knowing that this week you will finally catch up on the last three weeks’ worth of lecture content. Believe it or not, there’s an opportunity waiting for you – if you come to uni without your undies on.

You’re feeling pretty at the moment, and so you should, everyone loves your stupid eyes and they are going to come in handy this week.

Failing a class already? Just stare at your lecturer and the A+’s will come. Eat less mi goreng, it’s turning your insides to custard. Try adding lavender to your luscious bath this week.

Gemini:

Leo:

You have a tendency to think that every encounter you have with someone has a sexual undertone to it – but it doesn’t. Be sure to scrub your nails so that you don’t give someone an infection when you touch them. On a positive note, you’re going to have a significantly happy day made by a special person this week, but again, don’t overthink it.

You’ve been to a few nice parties and complained about the music too much. This week, just stay the fuck at home and blast your D’n’B to your fucking self for once. Your spending account may be upsetting at the moment but don’t worry, your debts will be paid off soon.

Libra:

Pisces:

Check the toilet each time you take a shit this week, moths are specifically attracted to you and will be waiting in that toilet bowl for you to sit down before they try to make contact. Reply to your messages, people are starting to get worried about you.

You’ve mispronounced your own horoscope a few times… that’s okay because you’re a sweetie. Avoid arguments with your lover and head to a lingerie store. Stop pretending to be an adult and having coffee without milk, we know you don’t actually enjoy it. Let the beauty of the universe bring your wants and needs to the surface.

Sagittarius:

Scorpio:

Crying after sex for not being able to cum will make your neighbours upset. Next time, take a deep breath. You’ll be surprised at the enjoyment you can get from not worrying about the climax so much. Going for a walk is a good way for you to think out your plan of attack for the new asshole that’s entered your life.

Your food will go off in your pantry and it will be terrible. Throwing out rotten fruit is a truly humbling experience. Try and compost if you can, or start giving food away to friends and family in the hopes of avoiding such disaster.

The lemons will be the worst. They’re always the worst.

Taurus:

Virgo:

You’ve done a big move lately and go you! Stop being so analytical of everything around you and start enjoying the awesome surroundings around you! The world’s in an average place but you’re not this week. Enjoy it and don’t be afraid to fart loudly in the library – it’s how you’re gonna make a new friend.

The food you’ve been sneaking from your flatties will be noticed if you continue your thieving spree. Take some time off social media to get off the screen, there’s going to be a shooting star that you cannot miss – be sure to wish for that assignment you’ve handed in to be marked by a kind marker.