Mama Tere Strickland mourned by friends
By
GayNZ.com Daily News staff
3rd August 2012
http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_12083.php
Mama Tere Strickland. Photo: GayNZ.comTributes are rolling in for "Mama" Tere Strickland, who died this afternoon in Auckland after a suspected heart attack.
The news is beginning to filter through the Auckland glbt community, where Strickland was well known for her work with whakawahine and takataapui people and became a New Zealand AIDS Foundation Life Member in 2010.
While Strickland, a transgender woman, was often a controversial and divisive figure, friend Phylesha Brown-Acton hopes she will be remembered for her heart.
Human Rights Commissioner Richard Tankersley says he is deeply saddened to hear of Strickland's passing. "My deepest condolences to her whanau, her close friends, and to those in the whakawahine and takataapui communities who held her dearly in their hearts," he says.
"Aroha" from NZAF as Strickland mournedBy
GayNZ.com Daily News staff
4th August 2012
http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_12085.phpThe New Zealand AIDS Foundation is sending "thoughts and aroha" to all those mourning one of its Life Members, "Mama" Tere Strickland, who died in Auckland yesterday.
The 49-year-old transgender worker, who was well known in the community for both her work and outspokenness, suffered a suspected heart attack.
"Over the course of her career, Mama Tere touched a great many lives through her passion and commitment to at risk youth in both Maori and Pacific communities," the NZAF says.
"Through her group Te Aronga Hou Inaianei (TAHI) she worked with gay and transgender people, sex workers, and other at risk youth, providing strength and support and empowering them to meet life's challenges with pride, dignity and aroha."
