1936–2011
Carmen’s International Coffee Lounge, 86 Vivian Street, Wellington, New Zealand
additional noteworthy address: The Balcony, 57A Victoria St, Wellington, NZ (formerly Carmen’s Curio Shop)
Carmen Rupe was a transgender Maori sex worker in New Zealand who fought for, and won, the right for transgender people to wear gender affirming clothes in public. She went on to become a successful entrepreneur, running multiple cafes, lounges, and performance spaces that became important community hubs for the queer and sex worker community. Carmen ran for Mayor of Wellington in 1977, she lost narrowly but paved the way for future transgender politicians.
