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How are you going? Enjoying the break. So here we are. 2021 Labour weekend. Yeah, Labour weekend. Um, yeah. Here we are in the village. The rainbow in the village. That's been, um What's [00:00:30] it been bent? Bent? It's B, but not broken. So we've scaled it right down. Yeah. We're not saying that it's been cancelled because it just sounds like defeatist, but, um, we've just changed it. So how how have you changed it? So rather than having large events where we gather, um, we are doing what we're calling, um, calling it a beautification project throughout the village. So we've invited all the village people in Paki to decorate their houses sheds, um, [00:01:00] dogs, pets, people, anything, Um, just to show some rainbow pride. And, um yeah, so we're just waiting for people to sort of come on board. We've noticed that Finns have put up a whole lot of stuff, um, outside and inside as well. They specially bought some, um, little mints. You know, after dinner mints that from the rainbow brand. So even they're all individually wrapped with a little picture of a rainbow. So they've gone all out. It's just It's so heartwarming [00:01:30] and and it's like, um I mean, beautification. It's They've got till the fifth of November to, um to enter and these prizes. And it's just like just sowing that seed into people's minds that you can still celebrate pride without having everything happening. It's a different world now, and even you know it. It'll be our fifth anniversary next year, and it's like, OK, we're gonna have to probably rethink what we do and how we do it. It's a changing, shifting platform, isn't it? So, uh, but [00:02:00] we we're we're, um I don't know. We went to the Rainbow Gala or Plant sale. They only had the plant sale this year at the school, and that was kind of cool because it's the first time we've been able to go there. We just dress up, and we're kind of having our own little mini parade. So two o'clock, we might just because we have never walked the actual pride route, so we might just go and walk the pride route. Yeah. Yeah, well, we can do not 100 so we just need We just need, uh, 96 [00:02:30] more people and we're still legal. Yeah, so, uh, I don't know. It's a crazy world, isn't it? But, you know, it's kind of nice seeing, like the bowler, the flag has gone up. The flags are about. We put the bunting up in our flags up this week, and it's just like, yeah, pride doesn't go away. It looks amazing. And so you you're referring to the bowling club, which has got the progressive pride flag and and fins. They've got the progressive as well. Um, and as you come into the village, you'll see the progressive flag and [00:03:00] the flag. We always have those two flying together. Yeah, So, um yeah, we're really wrapped, We're wrapped. And we we are actually by the very famous world crossing, um, where we cross as the world's shortest pride parade. Is that official, or has that been confirmed? You would not give it to us. So we we we call it the UN official. And you know, there's not much difference between the word UN and official is there. So we go with that. To be fair, there's never [00:03:30] been a claim for it, and I think they don't measure. Oh, there's some weird, weird thing of the criteria. They don't actually measure things like that. So we've claimed it and no one's contested it. So we're we're sticking with that. I think Antarctica were going to claim it when they had their festival down there, but they haven't emailed us. So So, you know, it's still the cut the ribbon and cross it. And someone has done some start to do some chalking. So we'll see over the weekend whether that gets, you know, filled in, I was going to say, because in 2019 [00:04:00] when we were here, I can't believe it's been two years. But it has, um, you were saying that the Council didn't particularly appreciate the rainbow crossing? They, uh, it's it's It's a legal thing that, uh, the council can't, um, um back anything that's on a crossing because of safety. So, you know, and, um, it was done. It was done a little bit more. Um, what would be the word? It was done with paint [00:04:30] temporary paint that year, and so the council actually had to come in and actually remove it, so Yeah. So, um, we But when you say temporary, it kind of lasted quite a few months. I don't know where they got the temporary paint from, but it was quite it was quite permanent. Temporary. So, um, so the thing is, I've just dropped my mask. Um, the thing is that we we had a great we've become pride. Pride incorporated. We've got ourselves all official. We've got a great, uh, committee, [00:05:00] um me and are working on our succession plan that in five years time, you know, it's it's passed on to others and we're working in with the council. We've got some great people on the committee this year that have got some really good links into how to do street art. Uh, legally. So this is what, um we we're aiming for with the with the sowing the seed for the beautification project. This year is for the fifth anniversary that we actually somehow have this beautification street art [00:05:30] that's going to be part of the village and will be known, um, as as a village with this big rainbow in the village or whatever. So that's that's our goal for the fifth anniversary. And we've got some great people on the committee that are that are right behind that. So, um yeah. So there you go. It's a goal. Yeah. We've also got an event coming up in November. It's a queer friendly, um, vaccination event we're trying to. It's with the marketing department at the moment, but we're thinking, thinking [00:06:00] prick for pride. Fab jab. I don't know, but, um ja, I stole that from Melbourne. Um, but and Paki Pops every year make rainbow pops, and it takes them an age to make them. Um, So they've made 100 and 60 this year, which we need to offload. Um, and the local DH B has offered to buy half of them for the, um, jab event. So we you know, again, [00:06:30] the marketing department's deciding on whether it's, you know, prick your pop for pride or something like that. We'll work on it, and and the idea is we we got we got a project player. Well, we got an email. We got an email from the, um DB. And they're acknowledging that it's really tough for trans people, intersex people, gay rainbow community to go into these environments and get their vaccination [00:07:00] where they'll be. You know, it's that what's going? That's the debate that's going through a select committee at the moment is and you turn up and you get dead named and all this sort of stuff is going on. So the DH B has got this wonderful person, Um, that I always say the name Marshall that's come on board and is basically spearheading that that we wrap wrap safety and love around these people and bring them into environments that they feel safe. So we were approached to try and have a vaccination this afternoon [00:07:30] in the hall, but we decided that we need to be able to reach out more into the coast. Uh, and to be able to bring these people into the and, um, we have transport and everything and and and give the publicity behind the event. So we're looking at Sunday the 21st of November from, uh, 12 till four that there's a safe environment here at the hall. We have a lot of rainbow. Uh, now, um, here to, um, and cars and transport. We can pick people up and so that that's the the main idea that we're [00:08:00] running with now. So, yeah, it's amazing. What? What gets thrown at you with covid, but you can always bounce back up and come up with something. So we've got Yeah, we're gonna We're gonna vaccinate at ST Peter's. It's not just safe, but it will be fun as well. So we're gonna have, um, you know, we'll have bunting up. We'll make it look like it's an event. Um, but we'll do it very safely with masks and, you know, good good people from our communities that are that are, you know, friendly and inclusive and all of that stuff so that people feel safer because [00:08:30] they have to wait for 15 minutes. So it's nothing worse than having to wait for 15 minutes if you're not feeling safe. So we're going to make sure that we wrap, you know, some good safety stuff around them. And, um, we're looking forward to it. Yeah, it's kind of like covid you have not got us. We're going to make a party out of this. Yeah, we will get. We'll get the projector and the sound system up and running and play either a pride movie or some gorgeous gay eighties. You know, Queen music videos or something. And yeah, that's our plan. So yeah, [00:09:00] So So how is, um COVID-19 impacting? Do you think? Well, we're a little bubble away. We're we're a safe little bubble, and I'm just gonna touch some wood down here that we as far as we know it, it's not in the village, but it is in. So it's getting closer. It's, uh the tide is it just feels like the tide is coming. So, you know, we have to just get sensible, really, and and do what we can to keep ourselves and each other safe. Um, so for me, that's about getting vaccinated. It's just that's a no brainer. [00:09:30] And and, you know, there there are 10% of the community that are that are still wavering. Uh, not sure, and there's some that will never get vaccinated. But I think the more that we, uh, embrace this, um, and keep each other safe. And then we can do something like a vaccination at Saint Peter's Hall, um, and show. You know that it's OK, and people can come in if they're not sure and ask questions. Um, you know, at the moment it's in medical type situations. Um, last week was the big vacs campaign around the country. [00:10:00] So you know, it does come down to us all just jumping on board and, uh, keeping everyone safe. So, uh, you know, we've got a diverse community in It's an amazing community. Like in the first lockdown last year, you know, was so incredibly supportive. And, you know, we just we really look after each other. I was really struck by what? A community that you know, that we have. Um, this year it feels a bit different because there was a bit of division around vaxes and anti-vaxxers. Um, but that's the world [00:10:30] we're in at the moment. So we just got to sort of live with it and just try our best to keep our own bubbles as safe as possible and, you know, still be kind and support each other. Yeah, it's It's tough. It's a lot of fear out there. It's like I say to V, it's like a tsunami coming, and there's people that are unvaccinated that are just standing on the beach, looking at it and going, I'm fine. I've taken my vitamins and there's other ones that are going No, we know what's coming. We've seen it around the world and we need to get, uh we need to do something [00:11:00] about it, you know, And And the reason behind this pride festival, it was like, if we're not in level one, we're not We're not doing it. And it was like the last thing we wanted was Ashley Bloomfield at the one o'clock saying and the and it was like it does sound cool. All good. Well, not quite good. Not good promo. They say all news is good news, but yeah. So that was one of the reasons. I mean, you know, we got we got to adapt. So [00:11:30] So what is it, like trying to organise in this kind of environment where you just don't know if things are going to happen or not? I mean, it must be Well, I mean, so much energy, soul destroying, But also, there's some really positive things come out of it as well. Yeah, well, we've got an amazing committee like, um, like Pat said, You know, we've got this new pride in committee this year, so we've got people from we're so lucky. We've got, um, a person from KYS. So we've got a real connection to the young people and and and inside out, [00:12:00] um so big shout out to you, um, and other people that are, you know, taking on roles of, you know, school and liaison and things like that. So, um, we we decided we'd plan it as if it was going to go ahead until we heard it wasn't so. We've sort of gone along, you know, enthusiastically. And then we've said, OK, safety is our key. So that's how we've had to just adapt. And also and also we've got a template that we know this is our fourth year, so we know we know how to do [00:12:30] it. And and I was I suppose I was the one on the committee going. It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. And it's quite hard to rally yourself up that I think that's half the problem with all the events and organisers around New Zealand is you sit there and you know well, we have to be at this stage. We've got to be in level one, and you just look at it and go not going to happen. So we did pull back. I mean, we did there wasn't you know there was things organised, but But at the end of the day, it was like, Well, this is the date we'll decide on We actually went a week earlier and [00:13:00] said, No, we're not doing it. And, you know, and I think, uh, the year Gosh, we've been in this since March 2020. So we're sort of getting our head around that now, aren't we? Until we get the vaccination certificate, Uh, the red light traffic system up and running, which I think sounds a great idea. Um, until we get next year will be slightly different. But this this last six months has really thrown everyone I. I just feel for artists, you know, the creatives. I'm sick of the mayor of Queenstown getting, [00:13:30] you know, going how bad it is. Open up the bubble and all this with Australia. I think we got a feel for all those creatives out there. Uh, music industry, uh, theatre. You know, film. Everything that that are that are just really struggling on this, you know, so interesting to see how festivals are going to be in the future. You know, like, um, ads coming up. And I think they're having a a vaccination policy that you have to be vaccinated. That's probably the realities that we're going into [00:14:00] a coming up for festival. So, yeah, that's that's all Auckland. I just I've just seen stuff coming out from them, you know? And so it's It's just it's just honestly being flexible now, and this isn't going away. So, uh, it just just managing to be creative about how you do things. Thus, we just got our tutus on and our T shirts and having a little mini pride here with Gareth. So you know, that's how it works. Do you think it will? Or how do you think it will impact on on future events here? Do you think, [00:14:30] um, it will come down if we do the dance? Uh, it will come down to being vaccinated. Um, you just can't afford to have people coming in that are a 70% chance of actually picking it up and having this virus. I mean, the other thing is that those that are vaccinated can carry the vaccination without even knowing it. So the last thing I want to do is know the Yeah, Yeah. Sorry. Carry the virus. So The last thing I want to do is know that I've given it to someone that's not vaccinated. So [00:15:00] it's about how do we wrap things up and keep them safe? You know, we could have done 100 people down the parade idea, but not worth it this year, you know, and some people are still trying to push it with events, you know, But I just think we just This is a really important time in New Zealand for the next two months, you know, get up to that 90%. So we just got to step back and, you know, do things slightly different. Yeah, you have to be sensible. Gaze. Now that's never happened, Has it in history. [00:15:30] I've got to say I've just found the last year and a bit just, like, really surreal. I just I still can't believe we're in the middle of a global pandemic. Yeah, Yeah, it's weird, isn't it? And especially especially living in a small bubble like this, you know, I was I work from home, and I this is my bubble. And I had to go into town the other day and I felt like I'd been raised by Wolves because it had been so long since I'd been around people and busyness. And it's like, This is our world now, you know, we just got to stick to our safe bubbles and make sure that we keep each other safe. And [00:16:00] and New Zealand, honestly is, is groundbreaking world leading in its approach that it's shut down so quick. You know, I'd hate to think if we'd had other other parties in power because these guys, um the courage to do what they did last March has given us this this. I mean, the economy's been bubbling away. Unemployment's not dropped. Um, but But it has been it's not the right word. But I say the false sense of security is the rest of the world. We know what's happening, and we've partied away, and we've done [00:16:30] all this. But now it's got real, and, uh, you know it. It's coming the virus, and, uh, we we'll deal with it as good as New Zealand can with the right party in charge. I personally think, you know, and, uh, they're not gonna do. They're not going to do crazy stuff. So we've tried to open up with Aussie, you know, now we need to be safe when we do stuff. So, uh, party political class a year. We've got stuff going through Select committee that that's, I think it's as big as what? Well, homosexual [00:17:00] law Reform 86. Look, look what's going through now and how it's actually divided our community. There's a there's a small percent that are actually trying to rip our community apart, you know? So it's been an interesting year, and I said to Val, just Sunday, we need to actually the way you get through this because we're all carrying anxiety, even if we don't know it. And I said, You just got to actually have your bubble, however, who you want to bring into it. But good people, good energy, because otherwise it's it's, you know, we've followed the select committee. Uh, some [00:17:30] of it, and I and I just had to turn it off. I just couldn't do it. I just couldn't do it. I turn on for the good ones, but well, well, it's really interesting, because I mean, at the moment there are two select committees. There's the um Conversion Practises Select Committee and then the, um birth deaths, marriages, relationships. Bill. Yeah, they submitted the other day an oral submission for conversion practises. Yeah, and, um, you know, it's just a lot of people talking about other people, what they think they should be [00:18:00] doing. And it's that's not cool. That's yeah anyway, So I was glad to be a voice from the community talking about, um, the echoes really of homosexual law reform. And so you know, so many similarities of of the fears of what would happen if we were if gay and lesbian people were given rights, for God's sake. You know, um, none of it's come to pass, and it's exactly the same with our Trans and Non-binary and Tau communities. It's just [00:18:30] human rights, you know? Yeah. Yeah, And there's been these bulk template, you know, submissions go in and you know you. They say, Oh, there's what is it? 100,000 submissions and there's, you know, 90,000 are against it, and it's just like, Yeah, 90,000 are the same template, you know, so and they don't read them like that. They'll read that as one, you know, But the law will pass. The rainbow will come up and the world will carry on. And, you know, and, um, it's interesting. We're part of history. [00:19:00] It's nice to be on the right side of history once again. So, uh, yeah, I think I've been quite good on, you know, the All Blacks, the Springbok. I was on the right side. I was on the right side for a few other protests, so yeah, you know, it'll happen. Um, and we'll carry on, and there will be another part of our community Rainbow community that has rights. Human rights. Simple as that. Human rights. I think one of the different things about, um, the the the current bills that are going through [00:19:30] all the response to them has been that the the the quite big divisions in the rainbow community in terms of some people for it. Some people against it. Um, do you have any thoughts on that? Um, do you wanna go first? Oh, God. How long have you got? Um I mean, I think people are scared of change, right? And we're in. We are in a time of social change. We are evolving right at this moment, and it's scary, but it's also really exciting And I think, um, some [00:20:00] people hold on to old traditional ways of being and are scared to let that go because they fear their own irrelevance. Maybe that's all I can put it down to. So you know, I don't know be visible but be visible in a really positive way. You know, uplift. People go with the flow. Yeah, that's that's how that's how I'm saying it. I'll just be blunt. There's a small group percentage in our [00:20:30] rainbow community that are transphobic that are scared. There's a beautiful wave. I love a tsunami of youth coming through that are questioning the binary of our world, and, um, and they tend to be the older, more and more conservative. The far right has got behind this whole fear campaign that that fluidity will somehow affect their rights. That's that's how I [00:21:00] see it, and it's actually not that big. It's well funded. It's it's loud, it's vocal, but it's not actually that big. So, um, you know, I, I my heart goes out to the MP S that are having to sit there. I've heard it's going to go to Christmas, you know, and have these submissions because It's just hideous. Some of the stuff that's being said and we've as as you say, it's we've heard it all before, but it was against us, and now it's against [00:21:30] our So you know and it's just part of change. Change, change, Um, takes a lot of energy, and there's always people that are resistant. But if the good you know, if it's the if it's the good side of history, it happens. Hey, and it'll happen. So I'm looking forward to being in Parliament when both bills pass. Yeah, I think that tsunami was really evident. And was it July where we were outside the Michael Fowler Centre? Thousands [00:22:00] of people supporting trans rights. Um, what was your feeling on that? I loved it. I mean, I did some videoing, um, I haven't even posted it up, but I edited it and put it together. But I went upstairs to the room where the where they were actually debating the rights of, um of what were they debating? I don't know. It was quite bizarre, and I've never seen such a bunch of miserable people. Sorry, but, you know, there might have been 40 50 people in the room. [00:22:30] And it was just I just felt for these people that are just not that ignorant, ignorant and fear mongering. And you know anyone that's on No, I can't say that. Yeah. Anyway, it was, um And then we have this You look down. I was waving to you from upstairs in the Fowler Centre and you know, she and it was like, Look at them. Look at the beautiful youth. Look at everyone supporting us. We got called a few names and miss, didn't we? That was a bit sad that if you're an older lesbian, you're considered [00:23:00] to be a I'm not a too. So we fit the profile, which is really sad, but we don't agree with the politics. So, um yeah, they're out there changing the profile of any lesbian that's got grey grey hair. It's like, Yeah, we love our trans fun. I've got a T shirt that says Dykes for trans rights now. So I wear that to say, Look, I'm on your side, but you know, it's unstoppable. It it's It's like it's like trying to stop the dam as it's coming. You can't stop it. It's beautiful. [00:23:30] I love it. I love it. I love our youth. A weird thing for me is that there's a lot of, um, some of the older lesbians who are quite masculine presenting, and some of these laws will actually protect them from being mis gendered in public places. And it's, you know, it's like it's actually uplifting everybody. It's not. Yeah. Anyway, I I find that quite, um, quite ironic. But that's also a really good point in terms of, um, people thinking that you may be turfs and [00:24:00] just that whole kind of very quick to cancel people just on on appearance. And I think that, I mean, that seems to have developed over the last five or so years. Yes, Yeah, yeah, there's a real, um I don't know. We we need to step up as as the older generation and and actually say where we stand on it and actually try and, um, talk to our peers as well. I mean, there are some people who are lost, you know? It's like all rabbit holes. You know, some people go down too far that there's no way going back, but where possible, I will have the conversations, and I will, [00:24:30] um say where I stand and, yeah, that, uh, hopefully influence others in my age group and older. Yeah, Same. Yeah, Same. It's about conversations, and it's with kindness, too. There's I mean, there's quite a lot of antagonism. Um, and the far right has captured has captured that that, uh, conversation of of, um, yeah, I've done a little bit of Googling Googling myself and yeah, you see, and it's driven, but it's come from UK. [00:25:00] You know, there's all this wave flooding across UK Europe, and it's coming over to us. And it's like actually, guys, if if you guys are hooked up with the time, I can't do this, you know? But if you're hooked up in these sort of voices, just stand back and sing where you who you stand with so but fear a fear. And I also wonder if a lot of it's been driven by You know that that that that social media, that that immediacy, that you can connect with people around the world with some of the viewpoints, you know? But also people [00:25:30] say things on social media that they would never say to somebody's face, you know, So it's it's yeah, It's such a yucky platform. It can it can, you know, it can be a really positive one, But quite often it can be really awful in these kind of situations. Yeah, Facebook's not monitored. They say it is. It's not. Our world has changed with old Mark. What's his name? And, um, yeah, I think we all need to, um and then it's really hard. We we promote our [00:26:00] all our events on Facebook. So I think we we have to look at different platforms that we're using to promote stuff because we can't all be going to this this platform to find out what's going on when they're not. Actually, uh, they're not blocking. They're not censoring that. Just there's this other crazy world going on that they're just taking the money. Hey, So, uh, I think we have to seriously look at our social media and, uh, you know, I'd hate to see 20 years time and we're still [00:26:30] facebooking and there's I think it's going to rip the world apart. I think it is, especially with the pandemic coming. Well, the pandemics here, but, uh, we have seen it with our own community. So yeah, here's to not Facebook. Here's to just start ringing Gareth and saying, Hey, the festival is on old fashioned. Well, one of the things that II I have appreciated about Facebook recently is that all the select committees have been live streamed on Facebook. What has it been like? Because everything has been doing? [00:27:00] Everything has been done virtually at the moment. What is it like, um, submitting to a select committee via, like, zoom or or something like that Kind of weird because you're sitting in your own little you know, I was in our office with a dog on the floor, you know, farting and sitting there looking at bits and stuff. And I'm doing this very grown up kind of submission and anyone, and you see yourself like like in a meeting, you don't see yourself and so virtually you're always [00:27:30] looking at yourself. It's kind of weird. But also, if somebody just walked in, they'd see me sitting there talking to a screen in this very, you know, earnest way. And it's just it's quite a weird, surreal kind of thing. Um, it doesn't feel like you're talking to real human beings. Um, but, you know, in some ways, it was not probably as nerve wracking as doing it live because you're in a more comfortable setting. And, you know, the best ones. One was a guy that that, uh, an anti [00:28:00] anti conversion therapy that couldn't get his camera to go the other way. So they let him go away and try and sort the technical problem. He came back. He still couldn't. So his whole submission for five minutes was his door speaking. And the second one was the academics got on the two academics, about five of them, and they said they were going to do a face, uh, Photoshop power point. And they pressed the button to start their power point. And it was like the matrix started and it just went infinity, Infinity, infinity, infinity. [00:28:30] And then they said, we need technical help. And I thought, Well, you're not at Victoria now. You can't ask the technician to come and help you with your projector. So then they said, Well, perhaps you sign off. So they sign. They did sign off, but they didn't sign off. And then they opened the next. They opened the next screen and they had two going at once, and we had the most amazing amazing squeal feedback. So that made my day. There [00:29:00] was a There was an older guy, you know, as soon as he came on, he was like, Oh, no, he's going to be one of those who's, you know, we should be allowed to tell our Children what they you know. Anyway, something was weird was happening with the sound, and he sounded like a chipmunk. So and I could see the faces of the, you know, the politicians that are on the select committee just trying so hard not to laugh how they do it like the poker faces are just like on point. Um, you need to learn that skill. Yeah. I, I wonder, [00:29:30] um, if they had 100 I don't know. How many would they all be doing that if it was actually going to Parliament to submit? I don't know. Maybe it's made it easier for people to get online and and, you know, do these crazy matrix things. But it was It did make my day my day. It it is a long haul for the politicians I hadn't been. I had realised how much Uh but they they had to sit through for those select committees, and it started with a group of them. I think we had about five all sitting together. Now they've [00:30:00] realised they need to break into into teams. You've got a B and C now. You know, we have two, Simon Bridges seats all the way through. Have you noticed that? Yeah. He's just eating peanuts. I think I don't know what's going on, but it was a burger anyway. You can't work out our political leanings, can you, Gareth? But you know what? It's I just I just got to vote. It's gonna happen. Yeah, and and there are some good points [00:30:30] being raised. Of what? You know, maybe we could tweak it here. Maybe we could tweak it there. Yes, religions need to be of Salvation Army. Have what a moment. What a moment in their submission, You know, after all these years, and they are supporting the banning of conversion therapy. Fiona Mackenzie's, uh, her submission from ST Andrews. Just I was in tears after that. There's been some amazing submissions on the banning the conversion therapy. So, you know, um, it is [00:31:00] a It is a moment in history for our community, isn't it? It really is. Absolutely, uh, another moment in history coming up. Next year is the 50th anniversary of many gay liberation groups starting in New Zealand. So it's amazing. 50 years. Can you Can you remember your first, um, encounters with the gay liberation or with, um, gay rights? Crikey. It was probably because I came out around the time of the homosexual [00:31:30] law reform. So it was It was a really active time. Um, and, you know, the, um the what was it, the Newtown Gay and Lesbian Fear. So that was kind of all around that time. So it was very positive and galvanised, and we were all together on this cause, um and it's it's kind of sad to see how that's changed for the cause for our trans and Non-binary communities. Now, you know, there's nothing galvanising us. It's actually [00:32:00] pulling us apart, but yeah, it was a It was a really incredible time. Yeah, yeah. I. I, um I ran away overseas with my new girlfriend that I that I had on from the soccer team and I was overseas for about three years. I came back in 89 and, um was quietly taken up to me, and my world was like, Oh, my God, there's more of us. And a very strong M has, you know, been there since Yeah, I don't [00:32:30] know. It's been there forever north. And there was some great women. There be, uh, as one with great politics. So that was sort of how I was immersed into the world. But I remember, um, the first night going up, going up to me and my girlfriend and taken there by the, uh, the goalie from the soccer team. And we were all in the closet. We were not. We would not come out because we we knew if we came out in the football team up in Palmerston North, [00:33:00] uh, it would, uh, it it wasn't worth it to do that. So, you know, times have changed. Um, gee, they started a winter's football team. Everyone was out. You know that even within 5, 10 years, that all all changed. So it's it's, um there's always some some spearheading, isn't there Those ones that spearhead the, uh, the campaigns are out there protesting and doing all the good work. So Um, yeah. I think [00:33:30] you know, I've got a group of people that I adore that have shown me the way of, um, putting on a tutu and writing on chalk on things and doing all that sort of stuff and turning up to protest. So 50 years from now, So we're talking in 2072. What would you What would you want? How would you see the Rainbow Communities? Ok, so I had this moment a wee while ago. I probably even told you this. Um, it might have just been last year. Some kids [00:34:00] were scootering past our house and one of them yelled out to the other one. I don't know what the name was. Hey, do you know what? And in the future, people will have to come out as straight. And I thought, Yeah, that's the future. You know, there is no like, it doesn't matter how you identify. What matters is that you identify yourself. Yeah, I would like to see a world that's non binary, that pink isn't used on every female product. That, um that [00:34:30] advertising isn't the sole focus of what people should look like. I'd like to see II I do hope that we live in a world that is just accepting of a diversity and difference, and that goes down to everything. We can't even get colour sorted. I always say to Val, this Earth is in kindergarten stage. You know, we can't even get the basics sorted. So I would love to see in that in that time that, um gosh, I'd love to time travel and see what it's like. [00:35:00] I hope I hope I hope that we learn from from this pandemic and we learn from climate change. And we learn that, um, the only way that you can get get Oh, you got to care for the planet and you got to care for people full stock, really? And the dogs and the animals and the cats and the hamsters. And but, you know, and there's no. And he and are things that were a thing of the past. Yeah. So I'd just like [00:35:30] to do two things before we wrap up. Um, one is Can you Can you tell me the the quote that you mentioned in your press release? Um, could you just tell me that? Because it's great. So, um, it's you know, icon Dolly Parton, and I'm going to do it in her voice as best as I can. She says, if you want to have a rainbow, you got to put up with some rain And it's true, isn't it? It and to make on the parade. And we're still out there, you know? So yeah. Yeah, I know I look like her and everything, but, you know, [00:36:00] absolutely. Um, the last thing Do you mind if we walk across the rainbow crossing and actually have a little pride parade? Just the four of us. Why don't you take some chalk and chalk on the way? I'm gonna put the brolly up, just in case it rains. Yeah, take a dog. And this is, uh I think we're actually we've just seen some other people over the road who might might be coming into the pride parade as well. Um, and we can actually just see how long the parade actually is. Yeah. [00:36:30] Hello? Hello. Good. We're just We're just about to do an unofficial, unofficial shortest pride parade. Would you like to join us? Mhm. Join us, Janet, we're doing an unofficial. That's the deputy mayor. All right, Here we go. We're crossing. Well, who's timing this [00:37:00] happy pride? Hey. Yeah, There we go. Look, it still works. It still works. And you're gonna be turned into, uh, into big rainbows. Yes, I can see it's all happened. Look, we're all being turned it out. We've just been turned queer, our deputy mayor. We're just, uh, Garris interviewing us about, uh, just the cancellations this year and how it's affected affected us. But we're, you know, onward and upward and yeah, yeah, it's certainly a tough [00:37:30] time for anybody doing events at the moment. And lots of events have had to be postponed. Cancelled, but roll on summer, if we're all vaccinated, we can start enjoying events again outdoors. So that'll be great. Cool. So that was it. The world's shortest unofficial official pride parade. Yeah, yeah.
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