Clubbing
I began a double life at 15. While I went to the Rugby Club Discos with all the other kids from school I also started sneaking out and clubbing in Wellington. I didn't go to the usual clubs like Doctor John's Disco or Uncle Albert's Attic (which was just as creepy as the name ) I went to the Drag clubs. My boyfriend at the time had an sister who worked at one of the "coffee" bars, not saying which one, but let's just say coffee wasn't the only thing on sale.
Even though we were way under age, (my boyfriend was younger than me at 13, we got into all the clubs. I hung out in the Drag clubs because I felt comfortable and happy there. All the Queens were wonderful and they - even though I doubt they knew how old we were - kept us safe. Chrissy Witoko was always really good to me and so was my boyfriend's, sister's sort of' boss, the amazing Carmen Rupe who - no matter when you saw her day or night - was dressed to the nines and immaculately turned out with eyelashes you could trip over and lips as red and plump as a bowl of cherries.
Those women were so beautiful and glamorous. They didn't put up with any shit and could punch anyone's lights out. Not that I ever saw anything like that. The Drag clubs were gentle places for me, and places where people who didn't seem to fit in anywhere else felt at home.
This double life didn't last for long, my parents eventually found out I was not in bed when I was supposed to be and did what other parents probably wished they could do, sent me away...