The Auckland trans woman is a pioneer who had gender reassignment surgery – now called gender affirming surgery – when little was known about the procedure, putting her body on the line because she’d desperately wanted to be a woman ever since she was a little boy named Vincent.
Vanessa has rarely spoken publicly about the surgery she had more than five decades ago in Sydney. The memories have been gathering dust like her portraits behind the cabinet. But recently, Vanessa has been reflecting on her life because of ill health. She’s in the final stages of renal failure, suffers from diabetes and has had several strokes. Every day is precious, and she says it’s time to finally share her story and acknowledge her place in the LGBTQ+ history of New Zealand.