Last week a small local newspaper on the Kapiti Coast apologised for correctly sexing a man who believes he is a woman.
The man is described in a media release as the “renowned multidisciplinary Indigenous artist Taupuruariki (Ariki) Whakataka Brightwell.”
Brightwell boasts extensive Maori tribal links as well as Tahitian and Rarotongan heritage. He is also the son of master carver, Matahi Brightwell, ONZM. He works alongside his father, “creating and restoring significant public whakairo and sculpture throughout Aotearoa.” His advocacy work includes posters created for Gender Minorities Aotearoa titled Trans Is Beautiful and Indigenous Genders Are Real.
Obviously this man is well connected. So when an article in the Kapiti News about a community mural he created with pupils at Paraparaumu School repeatedly referred to Brightwell as “he” and “him”, he knew what to do.
After a phone call with the owner of Kapiti News, Richard Christie, Brightwell lodged complaints with both the Human Rights Commission and the New Zealand Media Council.
However in his latest social media post, he says they have resolved the issue. An apology was published in last week’s paper and an edited version of the offending article will appear on Wednesday.
Brightwell says on his facebook post:
“I am she. I am wahine. Always have been and even though I have said I am trans, that’s not going to change a thing. I’ve always been who I am. I’ll always continue to be who I am and that’s it.”
My attempts to contact Richard Christie have not been successful since I was unable to source his contact details. The Platform is also aware of the story.
This story illustrates the chilling power of complaints to organisations such as the Human Rights Commission and the Media Council. A small local paper is unlikely to have the time and money resources to fight a complaint and the apology was understandable.
However, that apology does not alter reality. Brightwell is male. That’s what being trans means. Male presenting as female but not actually female.
