Transgender icon, Carmen Rupe is to be immortalised, as Wellington’s Cuba Street will soon feature a pedestrian crossing light in her honour. Wellington City Councillors have approved a plan to seek opportunities for unique crossing lights that honour well known New Zealanders. The legendary performer took the name Carmen from Dorothy Dandridge's character in the movie Carmen Jones and was Australia's first ever Maori drag performer, eventually vowing to give up men's clothes forever. An entrepreneur, Carmen paved the way for many in the LGBTI communities and sadly passed away in 2011 from kidney failure. Alongside Carmen, Wellington will also soon have pedestrian lights in the outline of Kate Sheppard installed around the Parliament buildings . The Carmen Rupe pedestrian light was proposed by Wellington City Mayor, Celia Wade Brown, who says the addition of Carmen highlight’s the inclusivity of Wellington.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 10th February 2016 - 11:12am