Valery Wichman

Valery Wichman is an LGBT rights activist from the Cook Islands. She is the former president of the Te Tiare Association, the first association for LGBTQI++ in the Cook Islands, and has been involved with the group since its inception in 2008.[1][2]

Early life and education

Wichman grew up in Rarotonga.[3] She began attending the University of Auckland in 2007.[3]

Career

In 2016 Wichman was admitted to the High Court in New Zealand as a barrister and solicitor.[3]

Wichman works as a solicitor and barrister for the Cook Islands' government, and has worked in the role of Director of Central Policy and Planning.[3]

Activism

Through the Te Tiare Association, Wichman has worked since 2019 to petition the government to repeal the country's laws which criminalises homosexuality.[4]

Honours and recognition

In 2016, Wichman was given a Queen's Young Leaders Award for her work in advancing LGBT rights.[5]

Wichman was chosen for the University of Auckland's 2021 40 Under 40 list.[6] In February 2024 she was awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, becoming the first Pacific person to receive the award.[5]

Personal life

Wichman is a trans woman.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Cook Islands' original path toward equality". www.unaids.org. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  2. ^ "Sharing the Cook Islands' human rights story at World Pride event". Cook Islands News. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  3. ^ a b c d "Valentino Wichman - The University of Auckland". www.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  4. ^ "Cooks Islands rainbow community lobbies for constitutional rights". RNZ. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  5. ^ a b "'We must respect each other despite our differences' says Cook Islands LGBTQI+ activist". RNZ. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Wichman named on prestigious 40 Under 40 list". Cook Islands News. 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2023-07-10.