Carmen

I wanted to make her accessible to the general public. People may not like what she stands for. But I hope they will see her as a person and not as the personification of evil.

– Director Geoff Steven in The NZ Herald, 20 September 1989, Section 2, Page 3

She used to come down Cuba Street looking like a Spanish galleon in full flight. Carmen always remained the most exotic thing in Wellington.

– Artist Graham Smith

...I didn't know, until years later, that there were people like me around until I had left school and travelled.

– Carmen on discovering the trans community, early in this documentary

Trevor was Trevor. But Carmen, I think I’ve gained a beautiful sister.

– Carmen's sister Tess Hamopo, early in this documentary

I relied on the holy church behind me to look after all my money. At the end of the church, there was a little wee brick where I used to hide all my money, from six o'clock at night til seven in the morning when I went home, because I knew it was there safe.

– Carmen on her routine as a lady of the night, in clip three

I thought to myself there's this big chance: this nine-year-old, shy little Maori boy, wanting to get on stage . . . I got up and did the Hawaiian hula dance, and I got a standing ovation . . . it went to my head.

– Carmen recalls a pivotal moment, performing a concert as a nine-year-old in Taumarunui, in the first clip

"She was a pioneer who broke down barriers that helped people like myself and many others to move into the main stream of society and do things such as become a member of parliament, or a doctor or a meteorologist

– Georgina Beyer pays tribute to Carmen Rupe, The Dominion Post, 15 December 2011