Pronouns: He/Him
Graham Simms is a proud Gadigal Elder born on Gadigal land, also of the Jerrinja Clan & Wandi-wandian, Yuin Nation from the south coast of NSW, with strong bloodline connections and affiliations to Bidgigal Country at La Perouse and Dharug Country in Western Sydney.
As an Aboriginal gay man growing up I have been involved in Aboriginal Affairs for most of my life on many different levels. I have a strong knowledge and respect of the different value systems inherent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
As the renowned Nana Miss Koori, a Gadigal Gal and Drag Queen Diva from Sydney, I have been performing for over the past 20 years as a trailblazer in Aboriginal Drag disrupting homophobia, prejudice and racism for awareness and tolerance. She is a strong advocate for visibility and establishing a stable platform for our younger generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rainbow Family. Nana Miss Koori has traveled and performed all over Australia and internationally, starting out in Aboriginal Communities. In August last year, Nana was a Champion and First Nations representative as a Gadigal Community Member and elder on behalf of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras where she performed and gave speeches at her very first International Pride event in Newry, Northern Ireland. Nana also spoke and performed in Athens, Greece at the World Pride Interpride AGM as part of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras’ winning bid to host World Pride in 2023.
In recognition of my Aboriginality, I find it important to remember who I am and where I come from. This includes a responsibility to maintain ongoing connections with my affiliated communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in general.