HUMANS OF ŌTAUTAHI: JORDAN

“I’m from Wellington, but I’ve been living here since 2016. I met my boyfriend online; we chatted for about five months then started seeing each other. I’d never been to the South Island in my life and I thought wow, this is amazing.

“When I was in Wellington I was very different. My dad was very homophobic growing up; he treated me differently from my siblings. But then, I always had my mum for support, and she was great. I did wear make-up, but I didn’t wear as much because I thought hmmm it’s just not safe to be myself here – he was a big reason for that.

“When I moved down to Christchurch, I thought right, this is a new beginning, a new start and I’m going to be living my life the way that I want to. No one knows me and I don’t know anyone here – it’s fresh. It was the best decision I ever made, moving down to Christchurch. I love it here.

“I love everything extra – scarves and accessories. I love voluminous hair; I really like the 50s and 60s, that style. Like, this is probably not even relevant, but I love the weather. Because Wellington was sooo windy, I would do my hair and then 10 seconds later it’s destroyed. Here, it’s perfect.

“All the time I’m changing, changing. I feel like I’m just very comfortable wearing what I want. Some things may seem quite feminine and different, and unusual, but I really like that. People do look, I don’t really care; they’re just very curious. If I was young and innocent and had never seen a man in make-up before, I’d be looking as well, you know? That doesn’t bother me at all.

“I can be who I want to be and I’m not afraid to be. I’m in a great place.”

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