There's someone new in the editor's chair at NZ's gay magazine – and she says her delightful new role is a huge about-face from her previous job…
You've been the editor at Express for a few issues now. How's it going so far?
It's been an absolute delight. I've met a lot of lovely people, been invited to a number of great community events, spoken to the Prime Minister (and her successor), and even been turned into an Emmerson cartoon in the Herald, all in the space of four issues!
What were you doing for a job before editing Express?
I was working for Armada Publishing in Parnell where I edited Autofile magazine. Autofile is a weekly trade newspaper that goes out to those involved in the auto industry- car dealers, importers, servicemen and their governing associations. The auto industry is full of old boys who love big engines and steak dinners, but they were very kind and forthcoming to a young, female, vegetarian journalist! Moving to express was a huge about face, but I haven't looked back.
What's your background, and where did you grew up?
I was born in East Auckland, on the mean streets of Bucklands Beach. I scurried town-wards to Auckland Uni shortly after high school and did a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Political Studies and Film, Television and Media Studies, taking a year off to edit [Auckland University student magazine] Craccum. Delusions of career grandeur halted delusions of travel grandeur after uni, but I love Auckland right now, so I'll probably be here for a couple of years yet.
What do you think are the most pressing issues currently facing the NZ's LGBT community?
The recent election of the National party is something that concerns me. National have a long history of voting against legislation put forward to end the inequalities GLBT New Zealanders face, and I worry that moves towards allowing GLBT New Zealanders to adopt children will be put on the backburner under such a government.
The discrimination of GLBT teenagers in high schools is an issue that is also close to my heart, after witnessing it firsthand. I think more needs to be done to ensure that GLBT teenagers are treated fairly, respectfully and equally at school.
What's your worst habit?
My potty mouth, without a f*%king doubt.
Your favourite music at the moment?
TV on the Radio's new album Dear Science and Late of the Pier's Fantasy Black Channel are on highest rotation, but I'm also enjoying Yeasayer, Fleet Foxes and… Lady Gaga! (It feels good to admit such things)
Any books or magazines you're reading and recommending?
I recommend Frankie Magazine and World Sweet World to anyone who will listen. As for books, I have just started Green is the New Black by Tamsin Blanchard- it's pretty good! I'm also about three years to late to recommend this, but I've just read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Boer- it's excellent.
Your favourite movies?
Rear Window, Cronenberg's Crash, The Shining and Happiness.
Your favourite TV programmes?
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Boston Legal.
Your favourite websites?
I'm big on my RSS feed, and love reading http://www.publicaddress.net/, http://www.postsecret.com/and http://www.afoodcoma.com/posts when they crop up in my daily digest. I'm shamefully addicted to http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/, http://www.thesuperficial.com/and Perez, but I also love http://www.flickr.com/photo pools- I currently subscribe to ephemera, Polaroid and mid-century ceramics posts (I am apparently a nana).
If you could have one wish granted what would it be?
More wishes?
Who are your LGBT heroes?
Margaret Cho, I can't decide whether I want to be her or be with her!
What's coming up in the near future for you?
Two more issues of express before Christmas, a New Year's trip to 90 Mile Beach, plenty more issues of express, and then a four-week trip around America in July, culminating in RollerCon, the international roller derby convention. Exciting times!
