During Queens Birthday weekend, Charles Chauvel was pleased to welcome  Wellington icon, Carmen back to the city.

Carmen was back in Wellington over the long weekend to attend the recent Agender Conference hosted by the Agender Trans support network.

Joanne Clark, President of Agender, was pleased at how successful the conference was. "It went really well. We had around 75 delegates, and including presenters added up to over 90 people," The conference was well supported by the Labour Party with Grant Robertson, Charles Chauvel’s colleague from Wellington Central attending. Carmen was invited as a guest of honour, and named ‘Person of the Year’ to recognize the services she has given to the transgender community.

In 1977 Carmen ran for Mayor of Wellington. In the age before homosexual law reform, civil unions and prostitution law reform, Carmen stood up for queer minorities and progressive values – giving inspiration and hope to many.Carmen was quick to mention that the rights of transgender people in New Zealand have greatly improved – and the movement for equality for all minorities has taken great strides in New Zealand in the last thirty years. However, the recent Human Rights commission report “To be who I am” on transgender issues reminds New Zealanders that there is still work that needs to be done. Transgender people still face discrimination in regard to health services, birth certificates and public acceptance.