Georgina Beyer

In this engaging and deeply personal interview recorded in Wellington on 27 January 2013, Georgina Beyer reflects on the vibrant and complex queer nightlife of New Zealand, focusing particularly on Wellington in the 1970s and 1980s, and Auckland in the 1980s. Through vivid recollections, Beyer brings to life the people, places, and politics that shaped her world as a young transgender woman navigating a society that was often hostile, yet filled with creativity, solidarity, and moments of joy.

Beyer begins by describing her entry into Wellington’s queer scene in 1976 when she worked part-time at the Royal Oak Hotel, located at the corner of Cuba and Dixon Streets. The hotel’s Bistro Bar and adjacent Tavern Bar were key social spaces for drag queens, trans women, sex workers, sailors, and others who existed on the fringes of mainstream society. These venues operated under the watchful eye—but often passive tolerance—of the police, who rarely made arrests specifically for homosexuality, though transgender women were still vulnerable to harassment and abuse. Georgina recounts how the community endured arrests, fines, and time in the cells, often for vague charges like “frequenting with felonious intent.”

Two central figures emerge in Georgina’s storytelling: Carmen Rupe and Chrissy Witoko. Carmen, a glamorous and outspoken transgender icon, was known for her PR savvy, political boldness, and her establishment, Carmen’s International Coffee Lounge, which doubled as both a social hub and a discreet place for sex work. Chrissy Witoko, in contrast, was more reserved but equally influential. She ran spaces like the Sunset Strip and the Evergreen Café, providing not only entertainment venues but also crucial safe havens for queer and trans people. Beyer highlights Chrissy’s strength, generosity, and leadership, often noting that her contribution to Wellington’s LGBTQ+ scene was just as vital as Carmen’s—if not more so in some respects.

The interview also explores the atmosphere of clubs like the Purple Onion, Club Exotic, and the Hole in the Wall on Vivian Street. These venues were lively, glamorous, and sometimes chaotic, operating in legal grey areas where sly grog was sold, and performers walked a fine line between burlesque and sex work. Beyer shares stories of stripping on stage, navigating client relationships, and surviving under exploitative conditions, all while maintaining a strong sense of identity and community. She also reflects on the challenges of getting hormone treatment in those years, often relying on sympathetic but unregulated doctors, and the use of coded language to communicate discreetly among peers.

In Auckland, Beyer performed in the groundbreaking revue “Bloomers” at Alfie’s nightclub, owned by Brett Sheppard and Tony Katavich. The show ran from 1984 through to the early 1990s and is remembered as one of the longest-running permanent drag shows in the country. Alfie’s was a small, packed venue that became a central gathering place for both the queer community and a broader audience of partygoers and celebrities. Georgina fondly recalls the energy, costumes, and camaraderie of that time, as well as the efforts by performers to bring cutting-edge, high-quality drag to the stage.

Throughout the interview, Georgina reflects not just on nightlife but on broader social changes. She notes how people like Carmen, Chrissy, and herself—by simply existing and being visible—pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable and helped force changes in law and social attitudes. Legal ambiguities, such as how to prosecute trans women under outdated prostitution laws, highlighted the urgent need for reform. Georgina also discusses how many in the community were forced into sex work due to employment discrimination and the lack of access to government support. The sickness benefit, which some trans women were granted under the classification of a “psychosexual disorder,” was one of the few official lifelines available.

Importantly, Georgina emphasises the sisterhood and support networks that developed during this period. Whether it was Carmen handing her a first client, Chrissy providing housing and work opportunities, or queens protecting each other from violence, the community was resilient and looked after its own. Even within a world shaped by exclusion and risk, there was a fierce sense of pride, belonging, and humour.

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.

Georgina Beyer

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