Welcome to the July newsletter from www.rebeccaswan.com
NEW WORK
In June 2008 I am booked to have a solo show at Mark Hutchins Gallery that is in his fabulous new premises at 216 Willis Street , Wellington. I am developing two series for it and am really enjoying exploring new territory.
http://www.mhgallery.co.nz
BLACK AND WHITEThis award winning documentary, directed by Kirsty MacDonald, tells the story of Mani Bruce Mitchell and how s/he and I collaborated to create the images of herm that appear in my book “Assume Nothing”.
International film happenings
Montreal , Canada
Cinema Politica Film Network –the cinema programming arm of the university will be screening “Black and White” in the future.
http://www.cinemapolitica.org
Athens , Greece
The first ever Gay and Lesbian film festival in Athens screened “Black and White” in a Lesbian shorts programme on June 1st. One site address for the Athens festival is:
http://grhomeboy.wordpress.com/2007/05/27/first-athens-gay-and-lesbian-film-festival/
Tel Aviv , Israel
Black and White” screened in June, at the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival.
www.tlvfest.com
www.imow.org
From July to September 2007 an exert of “Black and White” will be included on, Imagining Ourselves, in the Body/Image section of the site. This is a global multimedia project that is promoting international tolerance and cooperation and inspiring young people to take action in their lives and make a difference in their communities.
Kirsty MacDonald was one of the film makers to attend the International Festival on Gender and Sexuality in New Delhi in May. She was royally hosted by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust and spoke on the panel discussions.
www.psbt.org
ITANZ
It was exciting to be able to attend the sell out screening of Kirsty MacDonald's documentary “Black and White” in Wellington at the Out Takes Queer Film Festival with Mani Bruce Mitchell. Prior to the screening there was a slideshow that included photos from Mani's trip to Austin with “Black and White” that was to raise awareness about the Intersex Trust of Aotearoa (ITANZ). Mani announced that after a hyatis, “…the ITANZ was now off ice and in action”.
ITANZ is a New Zealand registered charitable trust and provides information/education and training for organisations and professionals who provide services to intersex people and their families.
"End the shame secrecy and unnecessary cosmetic surgeries. Provide education, workshops and lectures with the goal of ensuring appropriate, respectful, treatment and choices for all intersex people their families and loved ones."
www.ianz.org.nz
Mani Bruce Mitchell by Rebecca Swan 2007
THE TRANSGENDER INQUIRY
I have been lucky enough to photograph over 40 of the people involved in the Human Rights Commission's Transgender Inquiry. They range in age from about 20 to 70, and include trans guys, trans women, intersex people, cross-dressers, whakawahine, fa'afafine and those who identify as gender queer.
This inquiry is a world first because it is the first time that a national human rights institution has carried out a broad-based inquiry into discrimination and human rights issues for trans people. Its three themes are trans people's experiences of discrimination, access to health services and their ability to have their gender identity legally recognised.
The Inquiry team held hearings in Auckland , Wellington , Christchurch and Dunedin at the end of last year and received over 130 written or oral submissions from trans people, their partners, health professionals, unions and community organisations. In April this year a Summary of those submissions was published. It has been taken back to public meetings and also discussed with government agencies and health professionals who work with trans people. Comments made are being incorporated into the Final Report and its recommendations to address the discrimination, health and legal identity issues experienced by trans people.
The Inquiry Team is scheduled to publish its Final Report at the end of September and the Human Rights Commissions welcomes support from others to implement the Inquiry recommendations.
More information, including the Summary of Submissions and material in Te Reo and Samoan, can be found at www.hrc.co.nz/transgenderinquiry . If you want to receive a copy of the Summary of Submissions (or Final Report once it is published) contact the Project Manager, Jack Byrne, on jackb@hrc.co.nz
Dana de Milo by Rebecca Swan 2007 
Stacey Kerapa by Rebecca Swan 2007 COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
DOUBLESCOOP website has just had a face lift so check it out and forward it to anyone you think might be in the commercial photography market. I have to admit is was a little dubious about going into the commercial photography sector, “am I selling my soul” was in the back of my mind. However it's been an absolute pleasure to be working with great people who are passionate about great and meaningful projects. This month we've done work for Amnesty International landmines campaign, the Human Rights Commission, Oxfam Fair Trade campaign. Check out our new look website, www.doublescoop.co.nz
NewslettersIf you would like to read earlier newsletters, you can on:
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So that's the latest news for now, thanks for your interest.
I'll write to you again in October.
Rebecca Swan
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