A fresh, punk-rock docuseries is gearing up to launch just in time for Transgender Awareness Week. The Gender Agenda, an audacious exploration of gender identities in Aotearoa, aims to pull back the curtain on complex gender issues, offering insight and authenticity for New Zealand youth navigating their own gender journeys.
Co-created and presented by non-binary Kiwi Perrin Hastings, The Gender Agenda journeys through Aotearoa, shedding light on questions like, “Where does gender come from?” and “What does gender-affirming healthcare look like in Aotearoa?” The series seeks to dispel myths and replace them with narratives rooted in personal experience, science, and cultural heritage.
Perrin, who identifies as non-binary, set out on this project to find answers to questions they’ve pondered themselves. “When I realised I’m non-binary, I found a label—but what did that label entail? I didn’t know, and I still don’t in some ways. I know I’m far from alone,” they shared. “Gender is much more complicated than any binary or diagnosis can cover.”
The series stands out not only for its content but its delivery, blending documentary-style interviews with vibrant animation, allowing complex topics to be accessible and engaging for all ages. The Gender Agenda provides a roadmap for rangatahi to better understand gender’s fluidity and spectrum. With a launch on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, episodes will roll out every 48 hours starting November 7, creating a unique countdown to the start of Transgender Awareness Week on November 13.
Each of the five ten-minute episodes dives into different aspects of gender. Episode topics range from unpacking the binary myths around “biological sex” and the intersex experience to investigating the layers of colonial influence on gender norms. “Our hope is that rangatahi watching will feel seen and empowered to explore their identities without the judgment so pervasive online,” Perrin explains.
Perrin’s journey of self-discovery resonates throughout the show, as they visit and converse with a diverse cast of guests, from well-known transgender musician Hybrid Rose to activist and scientist Keziah D’Souza, Samoan trans wrestler Candy Lee, transgender musician/Drag Queen Miss Geena and transgender rainbow diversity educator/Drag King, Hugo Grrrl. These voices create a powerful tapestry, reflecting the resilience, challenges, and solidarity within queer communities across New Zealand.
Episode one kicks off with an exploration into biological sex, asking why society so readily accepted a binary construct. Featuring perspectives from queer scientists and intersex advocates, the debut episode reframes the conversation, encouraging viewers to consider gender beyond rigid classifications. The second episode, This Too Shall Pass, tackles the concept of “passing,” examining how individuals choose to present their identities and what “passing” means in a modern context. In episode three, Perrin confronts the colonial roots of current gender norms and the resistance of indigenous cultures against these imposed constructs.
The Gender Agenda tackles challenging and personal topics with an openness and humour that makes each episode a relatable educational experience. Perrin’s own reflections on navigating their gender identity underpin the series, speaking to the confusion, fear, and ultimately the freedom that comes from breaking away from societal norms.
For Perrin, creating The Gender Agenda was a cathartic process that allowed them to break free of the traditional expectations placed upon them from an early age. “Growing up, there was always a fear of being found out,” Perrin recalls, “I spent years in silence, hiding any sign of queerness.” Now, through The Gender Agenda, they’re using their journey to inspire a new generation to ask questions and seek answers without fear.
The Gender Agenda premieres on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram on November 7, with new episodes dropping every other day through November 15. For anyone, rangatahi or otherwise, curious about the nuances of gender, this docuseries offers an inclusive space for learning, conversation, and connection.
Join Perrin Hastings and their guests as they strip away the mystery surrounding gender, shining a light on the strength found within one’s authentic self and creating a resource for youth, whānau, and friends to better understand gender diversity.
