MICHELLE HYSLOP
MANDY. She/Her
My favourite analogy of transitioning is the difference between watching a TV program on mute, versus actually being the person in the scene.
The current balayage mix of red and black hair signifies to me that, I'm taking the best out of the Chinese culture and tradition that I've grown up in, adding what it means to be queer, and putting it together and making it my own. It's a big symbol of what my life is like, at the moment.
In 2017 I came to the big realization that I'm stuck in the life, role, and body of someone who doesn't quite match who I am. Being open to the possibility that the LGBT+ community is populated by decent people was new to me, because of the evangelical propaganda that I'd been fed for the last 20 years prior to transitioning. The pastor of my church saw a picture I posted after attending a pride parade. His bottom line was that if I support this, then I’m not a Christian. That became, over time, a self-fulfilling prophecy.
JADE. She/Her
As a real young kid I just imagined that eventually someone would cast a spell or something and then I'd be a girl. I lived my life sad and angry that I had to be a boy. Ironically I was constantly told by everyone around me that I was a girl; They'd be like “you fucking girl”, "little bitch", "faggot" (because under heteronormativity, being queer is to be a "failure" at your assigned gender), they'd push me around and tease me.
The first few years after I came out were incredibly difficult. You lose a lot of people. I think arguments were had behind my back and then people just silently unfriended me. Then, entering the queer community, everyone's got their own baggage- no patience, time or support. I was alone for so many moments you'd never want anyone to be alone for.
Transitioning can be crushing in its own way, but being miserable as a woman is acceptable to me in a way that being miserable pretending to be a man just isn’t. I've even been happy, for the first time in my life. Things are better now. I know who my friends are. I'm much closer to the family that still love and support me. I'm able to imagine and work towards a better future for myself.
MICHELLE HYSLOP
As a photographer with more than 15 years of experience, I understand the challenge of each photoshoot is to capture beautiful imagery while conveying the meaningful message behind it. This is illustrated in my work which focuses on people in various styles from photojournalism to studio lit portraits.
My work has featured in many New Zealand publications and I enjoy working with people and businesses to develop photographic solutions specific to their requirements.
My business ethos stems from my social and environmental sustainability values of minimising our impact on the environment and playing a part in positively influencing our local community. The kauri dieback project was a way of using my skills to share information and amplify the voices and stories of people affected. The purpose was to help the public gain a better understanding of what is at stake.