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Allyson Hamblett is a New Zealand transgender activist, artist, musician, and disability rights advocate who has dedicated much of her life to supporting others and promoting equality. Based in Auckland, she has been involved in organisations including GenderBridge, Agender New Zealand, TransAdvocates, and CCS Disability Action, contributing to efforts to improve the lives and visibility of transgender people and people with disabilities. Having begun her transition in 1998, Allyson has drawn on her personal experiences to advocate for greater understanding, acceptance, and equal rights for transgender people.
Her work has included building support networks, raising awareness of the challenges faced by the transgender community, and campaigning for better access to appropriate healthcare and legal recognition. She has also been involved in disability advocacy, highlighting the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and respect for individual differences. Alongside her activism, Allyson is passionate about creative expression, particularly painting, songwriting, and performing music. Through both her artistic pursuits and community work, she has sought to encourage others to express themselves, overcome barriers, and live more authentically.
Monika: Allyson, welcome! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today.
Allyson: Hi Monika, thank you for the opportunity to talk with you.
Monika: Tell us a little about who you are and what keeps you busy these days.
Allyson: Currently I’m the chair of the Local Advisory Committee of CCS Disability Action Auckland. I work as Media Assistant at Spark Centre of Creative Development, writing articles for their monthly newsletter. I am co-founder of TransAdvocates, and I have been an activist since my university days, when I discovered sociology and started to understand how society is constructed. I have cerebral palsy.
Monika: Art and music seem to be at the heart of your life, and you often perform live as well. How did that creative side of you begin?
Allyson: I discovered my creativity about 12 years ago when I started going to Spark Centre of Creative Development. I enjoy painting with acrylic on canvas and love portraiture and figures in space. Making art allows me to focus on what I’m doing and forget about everything else.
Monika: Painting is only one part of the picture. How did music find its way into your life?
Allyson: I went to a piano teacher when I was 10. It lasted 5 minutes. A year later mum and dad told me that the piano teacher said no to teaching me, so I taught myself. 5 years ago a colleague suggested that I write a song. It took me a few hours to come up with the basis of my first song, “Open Your Eyes”. I met Sam Benge a few months later, who is a professionally trained musician. Five years on we are still working together. I hope to release a CD this year.
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| Allyson is focused and ready. |
Monika: You have spent many years in both transgender and disability advocacy. What challenges do these communities face in New Zealand today?
Allyson: Working in the two sectors seems overwhelming at times because of the issues. Disability advocacy seems the biggest challenge at the moment, almost a never-ending battle. Accessible housing is one of the big issues facing the disability sector. Local and central governments don’t seem to even understand the word accessible. Guess it’s because the decision-makers and the policy developers have never had to think about walking, let alone using a walker or a wheelchair (I started using a walker 3 years ago).
Monika: Is there a way to bring these issues to the center of public debate?
Allyson: With the disability sector making up 20% of the voting public, we can make housing a central election issue. The Bill of Rights needs to be strengthened. The optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities needs to be signed and the wage exemption for disabled people needs to be removed, just to mention the first things that need addressing. In terms of the transgender community, we are looking forward to having gender identity in the NZ Human Rights Act by the end of the year. The process for changing birth certificates should be simplified and the Citizenship Act 1977 needs to be amended. The health system needs to be able to respond better to transgender patients who begin their transition so that trans people throughout the country can expect the same standard of care.
Monika: Healthcare, and surgery in particular, seems to be a pressing matter. What solutions do you have in mind?
Allyson: In terms of sex change surgery, I think there needs to be a public/private system that could give people the choice of where they want their surgery done. The surgeon in New Zealand is retiring at the end of the year, and we don’t know if there are plans to replace the surgeon to continue sex change operations. I think it would be good for the health system to send people over to Thailand for these operations, and come up with a loan system to help support those who want surgery but who can’t afford to have surgery. Also, a funding system to help with laser and electrolysis costs. I’d imagine something like a health insurance scheme that targets trans people.
Monika: Some people see transgender rights as the next frontier for human rights. Would you agree?
Allyson: It’s fantastic that the political process has started to include gender identity in the NZ Human Rights Act (1993).
Monika: Think back to the time when you began your transition. Were there any transgender role models you looked up to?
Allyson: I began my transition in 1998, but was trying to find support from 1996. I met several trans people over those years. CD Rom (now Agender) had started up in Wellington, but I was in the process of returning home to Auckland after studying at Victoria University, so was unable to attend. I found out about Hedesthia, which was a trans group in Auckland, but discovered that it was in the process of closing down.
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| My Sister’s Village Little Hucklow by Allyson Hamblett. |
Monika: So where did you eventually find the support you were looking for?
Allyson: In 1997 I discovered the Pride Centre in Auckland, which was in the very early stages of including trans people. I joined the board for 3 years. I helped organize TransIT, a social support group for trans people. TransIT lasted for about 3 years and developed into GenderBridge (established in 2000). Through TransIT I met up with 4 other trans women who became friends and really supported me through the early years of my journey. We enjoyed meeting up for dinner once a month before TransIT meetings.
Monika: A few weeks ago, Jared Leto received his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for playing the transgender character Rayon in “Dallas Buyers Club”. How do you feel about the way transgender stories and characters have been featured in films, newspapers, and books so far?
Allyson: I enjoyed watching “Dallas Buyers Club”. The story was very powerful, and I liked the character that Jared Leto played. But it would have been great if the role had been performed by a trans actor, and we had seen a trans woman receiving an award for her performance. I also enjoyed watching “Different for Girls”.
Monika: The transgender cause is usually presented alongside the other LGBT communities. As the last letter in the abbreviation, is the T able to promote its own agenda within the group?
Allyson: The T is strong in New Zealand at the moment. The wider Rainbow sector is behind us, but we are leading the way.
Monika: Harvey Milk was a key figure in gay activism in the 60s and 70s. Is there anyone in the New Zealand transgender community whose actions could be compared to his?
Allyson: Over the years the trans communities in NZ have become stronger and lots of people in the community are doing lots of work to promote change. Trans advocates are making a very significant change. It’s great working with Kelly and Lexie on this project.
Monika: Politics seems to be part of your work. Are you involved in any lobbying campaigns?
Allyson: Yes. I’m in regular contact with a few MPs. Currently, a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP 432) is going through parliament, via the Statutes Amendment Bill No 4. SOP 432 will add gender identity to the sex category of the NZ Human Rights Act. I hope it will pass by the end of the year. I’m also trying to amend the Citizenship Act 1977 so that overseas-born trans people can have their citizenship certificates reissued if they become NZ Citizens before they transition. This will take more lobbying work.
Monika: Do you believe that transgender women can make a difference in politics?
Allyson: I think everyone can make a difference in politics. Recently I heard that people generally see politics and Government as something that happens to you. Over the last few years, I’ve discovered that one can have an influence on politics.
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| The Wedding by Allyson Hamblett. |
Monika: Love is a big word. What role does it play in your life?
Allyson: Love is what life is all about. Learning to love yourself is key to a good life.
Monika: Fashion can say a lot about a person. What do you like to wear, and are there any designers, colors, or trends you follow?
Allyson: I like fashion, but have become lazy with it over the years. I want to blend in but have forgotten how to stand out. I feel it’s time to see Gok Wan.
Monika: Many transgender women choose to tell their stories in memoirs. Has writing a book of your own ever crossed your mind?
Allyson: I have thought about it. I’ve written 15,000 words so far, but have lost momentum. I think I need to achieve more before I start writing again.
Monika: What is your next step at the moment, and where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 7 years?
Allyson: Ensure Supplementary Order Paper 432 passes into law. In 5-7 years I hope that the Citizenship Act 1977 has been amended. And I hope that I’m enjoying my advocacy work and making some changes in society. I wouldn’t mind trying to get into local or central government. I think I have the skills needed.
Monika: What would you recommend to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Allyson: Start to come out. Look for groups that can support you and just be who you are. Enjoy the process.
Monika: Allyson, thank you so much for this interview!
All the photos: courtesy of Allyson Hamblett.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
