Auckland, New Zealand – Actress Awa Puna faced a challenging and emotional experience last year when she led a large transgender rights march in Auckland. The star of the TVNZ+ series “The Boy, The Queen And Everything In Between” found herself in the midst of a violent encounter when a group of around 1000 Destiny Church members clashed with the supporters of the march.
During the march, Puna and her partner, Mark Chayanat Whittet, were protesting British anti-trans activist Posie Parker, who was touring New Zealand at the time. Despite the violence that unfolded, Awa remained steadfast, believing it was important to show that people like herself matter. However, the experience left her feeling depressed and isolated for weeks afterward.
Awa, who had previously encountered transphobia, said the scale of the violent encounter was confusing and deeply affected her self-esteem. Despite these challenges, she found solace in the support of her friends, family, and her partner, Mark. Their relationship grew more meaningful during the lockdown, leading Awa to realize that she deserved love and happiness despite being transgender.
Awa now resides in Auckland with her partner, where they share a home and laughter every day. She is actively involved in her career, working on a short film and being a part of “The Boy, The Queen And Everything In Between.” This show holds a special place in her heart, as it allows her to work with individuals who have paved the way for people like herself and to have the right voices behind and in front of the screen – an opportunity she sees as truly special and invaluable.