Cissy Rock's just finished a busy year of facilitating extraordinary events for Westie women - and now she's starting 2010 with plans for another the third annual Heroes Out West celebration in Henderson next month. We caught up with Cissy to get the low-down on being 'out' and having fun in wild West Auckland. GayNZ.com: Tell us about the events you've held recently. What have you organized and how did they go? Cissy Rock Cissy Rock: 2009 kicked off with Heroes Out West an evening of entertainment outside in the park by lesbians for lesbians and friends, we where rained out! - the most amazing thing was that only word of mouth spread the new date and still nearly 200 women came. Having a Hero event out West was really quite something at first, it did cause ripples in Henderson, however now I think the West is proud of it! To keep it happening has taken lots of volunteer hours from lots of people and I thank them all. For a while I'd been wanting to create a something similar to the Broadsheet dances of the 80's and 90's and together with the Lesbian Newsletter in July - we put on a community dance called RUSH - this was about creating a space for women to dance, meet people, catch up with friends - outside of the city scene, it was huge success (us westies know how to throw a party). We ran another one in November - we now plan to hold three a year. We also run regular coffee group (Dykes on Coffee) and Lesbian discussion group (Lesbian Bites - topics with teeth). None of it is about making money, its all about creating community and connection. I think that's what makes our events work out here. They are 'our' events - lots of people give ideas, time and skills, so we all look forward to it happening and the creating is as fun as the happening, and the debriefs are great too. Are there many lesbians living in West Auckland? Hell yes - nobody knows for sure, however I think many women have been driven out of the inner city for economic reasons and hey take a walk around any supermarket in west Auckland - us dykes are pretty visible. Where were you born and where did you grow up? Born and breed in Auckland, I went to Metro (an alternative school) and spent my teenage years in Morningside. Where do you live now, and what do you think of the place? I live in New Lynn, I like being near the trains and the New World Supermarket - and Lynmall. New Lynn seems to be a mixture of established Westies and new settlers - this makes for a very diverse suburb - reflected in great food, and shops that aren't all the same. I tell my sons that New Lynn is the new Newmarket (but hey I do work for Council and have the 'I Love New Lynn' T-Shirt). What do you do for work? Cissy dressed up for another Westie adventure I work at Waitakere City Council, in Community Development - some of my friends tease me by saying I spend hours thinking about saving the world - I laugh because to a point that is true - but I want to make a difference to the way everyone lives. To do this you need to listen to people and what they want. I recently have been involved in creating a service hub in a community. We thought they'd want budgeting services, WINZ workers etc., yet they told us they wanted a singles nights and tee shirts for their football team - so there you go! When did you come out as lesbian, and what was it like for you at the time? I love coming out stories and I have a few. My current one goes something like... about 7 years ago I knew I could no longer live the life I was living. My family had no problem with me being lesbian, and many of the women I was at Playcentre with have ended up in lesbian relationships (for a while people were worried about the water!) however I still felt isolated and judged at times. Now its when it effects my kids (like at school when I think other families are staring at us - they might not be) that I am aware - I'm incredibly lucky to work, live and play with other lesbians and gay-friendly people. Do you have a partner? What kind of people do you most admire? I have been with my partner for nearly 5 years, she has taken on the parenting of my 3 sons, which is pretty admirable. I admire people who think about stuff and have opinions. I love spending hours drinking coffee and discussing life and its secrets with my friends. What do you think are the biggest issues currently facing NZ's LGBT population? We need more political bones in our bodies. I'm just not convinced that we understand how we got the gains we've got and I believe we are in danger of being assimilated into the mainstream, which for some means we've made it. I just wonder at what cost? What's your worst habit? Until a couple of months ago I would have said smoking - but as a non smoker I'd have to say my righteousness - I get really worked up about things and harp on... it does annoy some of my friends! Your biggest fear? That I'll start smoking again. Which books are you currently reading and recommending? I mainly read detective novels. Loved Steig Larson and Karin Slaughter is a favourite too. Your favourite music at the moment? Gosh - I'm pretty lame when it comes to music - Listen to "old time" stuff like Joan Armatrading and Nina Simone. Your favourite movies? Again not a big movie fan - I Loved You So Long on DVD was good. Your favourite TV programmes? Well I've watched The United States of Tara a few times... Who in the world (including NZ) would you most like to have a coffee and a chat with and why? I'm a real fan of Helen (just her speaking can make me shutter), but I'd probably opt for an author. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? I know I shouldn't be so serious, but I have a real commitment to social justice, I like there to be a redistribution of wealth and power in the world. What's coming up in the near future for you? Heroes Out West - this this the third year a group of us have put together a wonderful evening of lesbians entertainment for lesbians - we reckon we've nailed it this year - so I encourage you to come along and see for yourself! Heroes Out West lesbian celebration in the heart of West Auckland is confirmed for Saturday 6 March, 4pm-10pm at Falls Park in Henderson. Matt Akersten - 5th January 2010