Real-life reads
Th et rans gender trio open up about being born with gender dysphoria and how they’ve found happiness living as the opposite sex
TV’s trans stars: We were trapped in the wrong bodies; Olympic kayaker’s extreme proposal; Christmas with the quins!
MOE LAGA, 27, TRANSGENDER ACTRESS & PERFORMER
Moe is a self-described girl from the ’hood, who merely existed as a teenager in a South Auckland community that didn’t understand her. Now she’s a fierce woman and leader, openly trans and proud. She’s also working her dream job as character Kat on TVNZ On Demand’s Baby Mamma’s Club.
“I like to think my family has seen me on the show because that’s my way of proving I’m OK,” says Moe, who left home seven years ago and never returned.
“I ran away and transitioned on my own, which was hard, but I have a new group I consider my family, who supported this trans journey.
“I’ve always known I was feminine, but I didn’t want to bring shame to my family as they’re quite traditional,” explains Moe, who has Samoan heritage. “Acting is my first love and as a teenager, I got to play roles that helped me realise I wanted to be a woman. Art was an excuse to explore it.”
Moe enrolled for a performing arts diploma at 17 but stopped attending because of pressure from her family to work a nine-to-five job as a straight male. For her 21st birthday, she had one wish – to finish her studies, so her mother agreed on the condition she still worked part-time to support the family. But when none of her loved ones turned up to her graduation, Moe packed her bags and a new life began.
After getting another degree in performing arts, Moe quickly landed at the forefront of Auckland’s creative queer and indigenous arts scene. Now she’s wellknown as sassy performance artist Mistress Supreme, who oozes glamour and rawness. The charismatic persona is contrary to the soft-spoken and down-to-earth Moe who chats with Woman’s Day, affectionately describing the young South Auckland arts crew she leads.
Dubbed the House of Coven, the group includes 17 young people who revel under the leadership of Moe, their “house mother”.
“My role is a queer mum figure, nurturing the livelihood of my house children,” she explains. “I help with their creative paths and artistic skills, and also the cooking, helping with their outfits and make-up for performance, and giving advice.”
For Moe, it’s her way of giving back. “The coven is a safe space to express themselves and be comfortable and free with their femininity.
“Kat knows what she wants in life and is this strong woman. It’s an ideal role for any trans actress because she’s not the stereotypical sex worker or a victim,” says Moe, who never thought she’d see a role for a trans person, let alone play one.
“I hope my house children get the same opportunities I do and think because I did it, so can they. Our goal is to make it.”