Lexie Matheson

Activism and community work Matheson has had a number of governance roles within the New Zealand LGBT community. She chaired the Hero Inc Board that organised the 2002 Hero Inc Festival and March, and was a founding member of its successor, the Auckland Pride Festival serving as a board member and co-chair from 2013 to 2018. In response to a government policy of mental health needs for younger LGBT people, she said: "We LGBTQI oldies experience all the challenges that other older people face in any ageing community, but we have our own unique challenges as well". She is a fourth dan black belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate.

Honours and awards In the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours, Matheson was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to performing arts, education and LGBTIQ rights.