Valery Wichman

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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]

Contents

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]

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References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 "'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.