25/05/2026
We salute you Dames Jools Topp. RIP x
Dame Jools Topp
May 1958 - May 2026
"Jools was a pioneer, a testament to perseverance, a cultural changemaker, and a q***r icon. She will be deeply missed.
In a country shaped by practical women, and strong farming culture, Jools, with Lynda, brought q***r visibility to stages and screens across Aotearoa in a way that felt familiar and relatable. They introduced many New Zealanders to q***r culture and community through humour, music, and storytelling, often reaching people who may never otherwise have engaged with it.
I remember the first time I saw The Topp Twins perform. I must have been around 11, at a folk festival somewhere in Canterbury. I was completely fascinated by them, something about them resonated deeply with me, though I didn't understand why. It wasn’t until around ten years later when I came out, that I realised they had been my very first example of le***an representation. Suddenly, that fascination made perfect sense."
- Jen, Ōtautahi Christchurch Pride
