The Perfumed Garden

Yes, it's a top-notch score, but the subtext is extremely plain. I hated the way that classical musicians treated me when I came out. This opera exists to ensure that never happens again. The crossdressing content will force male singers to understand a wee bit of my saga. The female singers will have to put up with me not being a guy or girl. Why? Because I wrote the music, and it's wiping the floor with the chosen ones. All the actual opera composers in New Zealand aren't in my league. - If you ask me to perform, any licencing rights are immediately rescinded. Give it up, and accept the hate hui went too far. The theatrical and classical communities have to attend the apology hui. NZ Opera's board is going to have to reply to my assertion of brownwashing. The NZSM or VUW are going to have to pay me a sum of money. You breached my IP and my privacy: damages aren't negotiable. - The Lilburn residence is a sop to avoid admitting liability. Sorry, that's not good enough. In attempting to force me to take up the offer, VUW broke the law. It's not negotiable: open admission of guilt, six-figure cheque. I'm holding the institution responsible for the actions of individuals, as I had spent years complaining about VUW bullying me. Nothing happened, which suggests tacit approval. The cheque is larger than the residence because my IP is worth more. Doing the residence would only give them a claim to produce my opera. With the National Library one, I get to publish a book, so everyone wins. Plus I'd rather work with Glen than with a bunch of haters. - As for 'please read' - no, the answer is simple. I have said that I'm doing AMPP this year, and that is the top priority. I read for a living. That's why most journalists aren't big readers of novels. Being on top of current events means reading for at least a couple of hours a day, often while quickly absorbing jargon. Even the faintest hint that I should do academic work is not acceptable. I've refused, and AMPP is going to soar to the limit of my ad budget. Basic rights that trans people have = freedom of association, freedom of movement. Those rights mean that VUW has to accept my decision to refuse. I choose not to associate with people who called me a pervert and plotted against me. I prefer to do my research elsewhere, where they're not claiming credit. This is a line in the sand. No further pressure is legally permissible.