Sad news today that Sydney (via New Zealand) transgender icon Carmen Rupe passed away aged 75.

I met her several times over the years while photographing for Time Out.

The most memorable was an afternoon i spent with her and writer Angus Fontaine in her small Surry Hills apartment. She spoke at length about her amazing life, born as Trevor in a sleepy New Zealand town, a stint in the army, a move to Sydney, prostitution, time in jail, a career as a drag performer in Kings Cross’s 60’s heyday and a fulltime switch to life as a woman.

Her home was a shrine to her fabulous life. Every inch of the place decked with mementos. I feel awfully sad for the poor soul faced with the grim task of pulling it all down.

Carmen at Stonewall

The wall of Carmen’s living room

Carmen’s bathroom and me in the mirror

Mother

From Carmen’s scrapbook

Before she was Carmen she was Trevor

Carmen’s front door bell

Carmen in her bedroom

Carmen arrives at the DIVA Awards in 2008