Agender New Zealand

In the podcast titled "Agender New Zealand," recorded in Christchurch, Canterbury, the president of Agender New Zealand, Cherise Witehira, discusses the organization’s role in supporting transgender individuals and their families. Agender New Zealand, originally known as CD Rom (Cross Dressers are Real Original Men), was established in the mid-eighties to provide support to cross-dressers, eventually expanding its services to a broader transgender demographic, including transgender, transsexual, transvestite, and intersex individuals among others.

Witehira shares the early beginnings of the support organization, highlighting the lack of resources available for the transgender community in New Zealand during the 1980s. Initially intended for cross-dressers, the organization was rebranded to include a wider range of identities under the transgender umbrella to secure funding. This change addressed the common misconception that cross-dressing was strictly linked to sexual connotations, acknowledging the diversity within the transgender community.

The interview also touches on internal tensions within the transgender community, particularly between cross-dressers and transgender individuals, creating a divisive "them and us" mentality that undermines unity. Witehira recounts personal experiences with these tensions, emphasizing the need to bridge the divide and strengthen community solidarity. Spotlighting their own journey, which began as a teenager cross-dressing and progressed to transitioning at 17, Witehira advocates for acceptance and combined efforts in advocating for rights and support.

Additionally, Witehira speaks about the initial reluctance to joining Agender, spurred by a call for membership involvement to maintain an inclusive patron, Carmen. After attending an Agender event to represent the New Zealand prostitutes' collective, Witehira became more actively involved in the organization.

The significant challenges faced by the transgender community, especially in terms of discrimination in various aspects of life such as employment, housing, and healthcare, are highlighted. Witehira describes how societal ignorance and lack of education about transgender issues play into negative stereotypes and barriers.

The conversation turns to legislation and the need for explicit inclusion of gender identity in the Human Rights Act of New Zealand to ensure protection from discrimination. Despite a general statement from the Attorney General that discrimination based on gender identity is covered, Witehira emphasizes that it remains untested in law and advocates for specific mention within the act for the assurance of equal rights.

Witehira then discusses the extensive discrimination encountered within medical and educational settings, from GPs refusing treatment based on personal beliefs to educational institutions that remain resistant to affirming transgender identities.

The interview also delves into thoughts on trans-friendly networks of medical professionals, the importance of education, and the experiences of trans people across different cultures in New Zealand, with a focus on the experiences and perspectives within the Maori culture prior to and after colonization.

Closing with personal reflections on their first time at a large gathering of trans individuals from around the world during the Asia Pacific Outgames (2011) in New Zealand, Witehira recounts the mixed emotions of solidarity and personal turmoil post-earthquake, as well as the road to recovery fueled by involvement with youth organizations—highlighting a journey of advocacy, resilience, and hope for the future of the transgender community.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Cherise Witehira

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