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Why do you think it's important to have parades like this? Oh, well, um, I think it's still, um, wonderfully powerful to, um, young people who are, uh, possibly coming out and sort of coming to grips with their sexuality. I still remember the first gay pride event that I went to. And, uh, sorry. It was, you know, a very [00:00:30] moving experience just to sort of have that real assurance that I'm not alone. Alright, everyone. So what we're gonna do is just remind ourselves of the steps that we did last time. So can you all pretend you're holding your flag or whatever? So we're gonna step to the right first. So we go right tap left tap, right, Tap left. Then you've [00:01:00] got your eight walks in a circle to your right. So you go. 123. That's for him. 5678. That's it. How amazing is this? Imagine this going through. Four massive speakers down Ponsonby Road sending shivers atmosphere. Five months. Work is now worth them when you see those. Plus, imagine that truck [00:01:30] in the middle. A huge, big traffic controlled truck with all the lights flashing and the mirror. What do you get the leader? The stick boy. What do you call him? Stick boy? I'm pretty sure it was not stick at the front of the big book. Oh, like the leader of the, um, the tattoo. I don't know what they're called round in a circle. [00:02:00] Yeah, here it is. This is cool. It's funny, because this reminds me of my high school. They don't have flags yet. No, the red and the orange. But we used to have ceremonies like this with all of the colours, Um, for the sacred heart bar in college, at our masses, we would have the big banners like that unfurled. Yeah, I was hoping that it was something to do with because I know there's going to be a pride parade, which I was hoping was going to be, like, the hero festival [00:02:30] coming back because I remember it. And I've read articles about there being a pride parade. Um, and I was hoping that we were going to get to see a practise. I do know a little something was going on. No, I had no idea, because we Yeah, we sit down here all of the time and this is the most exciting thing we've seen in 25 years. So what do you remember of hero? I remember that my big brother, um, had to do community service, and one of his community service jobs was helping [00:03:00] build the A float for the hero parade. When I was, I must have been about 10 or 11, and I'm going along to see it because we were going to see his float. And I just loved it so much. I was like, This is the coolest thing I've ever seen. It's in the daytime and everyone can come. It's so exciting. I. I remember it because I marched in it twice with no shirt on, and I was very happy to do that. Did you feel proud? I really did. And I just loved it. And it was all a big surprise for me because I'm from [00:03:30] so to come to Central Auckland and see everybody embrace something like this. It was a good feeling. Yeah, a really good feeling. It's just cool to have something also which isn't sponsored by, you know, like some kind of parade or festival which isn't a market for purchasing something, you know, Santa Parade, which is all this and this, and it's like this is an actual festival. This is just people marching for people do, and that's really rare. It's something that's more special than a market day. [00:04:00] How are the rehearsals going? Oh, really? Well, this is actually only the second rehearsal with this group, Um, that they all worked really, really hard last week. And, um, you know, there's a mixture of people because some people have done dancing before and and some of them were actually involved with me with Queen of the whole universe. Um, so we had lots of fun, but they had been exposed to quite a bit of dancing with that, Um, and some of the people who are involved this time haven't danced before, so it's a mixed group, but they're all working [00:04:30] brilliantly, so it's great dancing on stage and dancing down a road must be quite different. Yes, yes, it's a It's a totally different vibe, definitely. And so they've got to have quite an awareness that they've got audience from every aspect. So the people at the side behind and front and and it's a different because they've got these huge props with the flags and sales and things. It's a different feel completely. How does it all your choreography? Um, it needs to be kept more simple, because this time [00:05:00] it's not actually about the choreography. It's more about the, um, community. It's about the parade itself, Um, and also, um, you know, it's just it's It's for a different reason. So you know, means that the choreography is kept very simple, and it's about the overall effect. So as people are looking and the parade is coming towards them, it needs to be very visual. As you can see all the colours, some are single colours, some are rainbow flags [00:05:30] and some are rainbow ribbons. And they're going to be. The ribbons are going to be ceremonially cut because it is the lead float by our dignitaries, our politicians and sit and dignitaries and celebrities at the beginning of the parade, and that will be the sort of the the opening piece. And then this group are going to lead the whole parade down road. There's a big truck in the middle, and there's also incredibly long streamers coming off the back of big, wide [00:06:00] stream of ribbons. coming off the back of that truck, and it's just all going to be some colour and movement. And this is just one of the spectacular floats. Yeah, lots of others. You know, there's 40 odd floats. Uh, my name is Shelley, and I just did it because just because I support it all and just wanted to be a part of it as well, I'm mine the same as my twin. I just support it really well, so I thought that was a good chance to get involved and help out. And I'm Anna. And, like, [00:06:30] I've got a crew here that, um, sort of egged me long to come, but, um, I remember being part of the hero festival before Flynn was born. And so he was. That was over 15 years ago. Do you remember walking down Queen Street dressed only in like a small toga cloth? Nothing else on at all. And it was such it was such a neat night. And you really sort of there's nothing better than sort of feeling like you're You're overwhelming everybody else because it's such a minority group. It's really neat to have so much family around and and and all the other support. Because, of course, you know, we've got a straight [00:07:00] straight far now and families coming, too. Um, but it's a lot of fun. Lot of fun and a little bit of exercise And a bit of silliness, too. And you hang out with the kids. I'm Tom, not Flynn. And, um, yeah. No, I, um And I am Anna's step son. And I am here because, um, she took me into it and thought it would be fun. Yeah. Four [00:07:30] mothers. 5455. Um, I'm Alex. Um, Tom's my best friend. Um, I've never been to a parade or anything. I thought it would be really cool to do something like this. And I. I love to support, um, this kind of thing, and it seems like a good lot of fun. So, yeah, I think it would be a huge buzz. I think it'd be quite exhilarating. Lots of adrenaline and really pumped up. And, yeah, be fun. Yeah, I agree. I reckon it's gonna be like an amazing experience just to see everyone, and hopefully everyone [00:08:00] will join in and have a little dance while we're walking down. I'll just be scared and happy and just proud of myself. Here we are. Well, we're here for the final, um, organisational crew meeting just at the beginning of the, um, few days out from the Pride parade down road at the pon Community Centre. Jules and I and, um, we're we're looking forward to this parade. It's been 12 years since we've had one in Auckland, and we think we're [00:08:30] ready. And also, the larger LGBT community is ready to see this and have it back on the public agenda. We've got three sleeps to go. It's so exciting. Can't wait. Hi, mys Karen. And the reason I'm here is actually to get back into the community that I lost so a a long time ago. So, you know, I was kind of part of the the women's movement in Auckland when you know, in this what eighties? Early eighties. And I kind of, you know, got married. [00:09:00] I suppose you could say and and went away somewhere else. And now it's time for me to come back to the community and start giving back to Yeah, Come back to where I was So tonight. What are you training for? Um, I'm being a marshal, I think, um, stopping people not doing things that they're not meant to. But, you know, I'm maybe not a good choice for that. So But I'll be having fun on the day as well, so yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Have you done a pride parade before? No, I haven't. Um, I've been in the crowd. Uh, but I haven't participated in the [00:09:30] kind of whole parade, you know? So, yeah, it's a first for me. Yeah. Hi. I'm Diane. Um, I'm going to be a standing marshal. Um, the rest of my family is all on the outline float. So we've helped build that. And so the kids and my partner are going with the float, and I thought, Oh, well, I'll go and help somewhere else. They've got enough. Why is pride important? I think the gay community has got a bit lost and invisible, um, the last few years, and I think it's about time we put ourselves back out there and stood [00:10:00] up and waved the flag and said, Hey, don't forget us. We are actually still here, and everything's still relevant. Yeah. Um, I'm James. This would be my first pride. Um, I'm actually new to Auckland City, so I thought it was my time to shine my time to get out there and see what it's all about. Um, So as as a young person, um, how important is to be? Is it to be, you know, kind of out there visible? I think it's incredibly important. [00:10:30] And at the moment, I feel there's a lot of change going on coming back after so long, we've got a pop song. That's number one on the chart, that is, you know, pro gay, which is really, really cool. So I think 2012 is gonna be 2013. I should say it's gonna be a really good year. Hey, I'm Sean, and this is my first pride as well. I'm volunteering as a standing marshal because I just want to really get involved in the community. I come from a country where homosexuality is frowned upon, [00:11:00] and obviously it is against the law as such. So it's just a great opportunity to kind of get involved and contribute as well as have fun. I volunteered because, um, I think it's great that we're having another parade and it's got to be well organised. And I think the more volunteers, the better. Have you been in pride parades before? I haven't. But my partner, Bobby, has she was once a indoor bowling pin. [00:11:30] And they because they they have the, uh A which is the Auckland gay bowling. Um, and she was very much involved in that. And was it? And Tony Quale made all these amazing outfits of of tin bowling pins, and they all had to dress in that. And then they had to sort of walk along and then all fall over and roll over and stand up again. They couldn't get up off the ground because it was hilarious. So, no, you know, I haven't been involved, but she has, [00:12:00] Um So my name is Barbara. I'm currently studying at a ET and I. I received an email from the A team in a UT, asking for help for the parade. So I jumped in and told them that I would be glad to help for the parade. I've never done the parade before. It's the first time that I'll be participating, but, um, I'm gay myself. And, uh, I just trying to meet other people. And I guess [00:12:30] I'm very excited about the idea of working at the parade and I can't wait to see what's going to happen. What will you be volunteering for? What? What are you going to be doing on the day? I'll be I'll be asked to play the role of Marshall, so we'll be helping for the traffic during the parade. But I think a lot of people will come because they are curious as well. Maybe even people who are not gay, because either they they accept gay people or [00:13:00] they want to see what it's like to be in this community. And, yeah, I guess a lot of excitement and fun to plan ahead. OK, so tonight we're interviewing, viewing Daniel and Trevor. Daniel, what are your expectations of the parade? Um, I expect it to be an entertaining afternoon, um, fun filled and safe as well. I'd like to think it's going to be extravaganza, and I think it's going [00:13:30] to be an awesome time for everybody to see this coming back into the community. And, um, yeah, it's just going to be an awesome day any, um, anything in particular that you're desperate to see the marching boys. Yeah, the marching boys. Trevor, tell me why you're excited to see the marching boys. Oh, well, I, I just think there's been a lot of work going into what they're going to be doing, and, you know, they've got to get a a fair share of, um, you know, the applause and everything like that. But, [00:14:00] you know, we we were really pleased to be able to vet them and to be able to, um, just guide them, um, as we were when we were marching boys. Exactly. So we're in the final countdown of the of the lead up to the parade. That was my line. Well, I've taken it now because I'm the interviewer. All right, sit down and just answer the question. So in the final lead up to the parade, any advice that you'd give to the marching boys to the marching boys enjoy [00:14:30] themselves, flaunt it and, uh, just yeah, just have a good time. Basically. So if you could just, um, say your name and tell me about the float that you're with. Uh, well, I'm with the float for body positive and part of the reason I won't give you my name is simply because we're also going to make a point with our float that it is still a threat. And the fear in society of identity [00:15:00] is a challenge for people living with HIV in this age, Even this year, we saw a case in where a young child was kicked out of school. And not only that, there was a lot of ignorance and fear. So we're showing that it's still unsafe and plus, at the same time, doing a little homage to some of the early activists [00:15:30] and HIV AIDS in the eighties. Can you describe what the float looks like? Um, I think Keith Herring, if you don't know Keith Haring. He was one of the early activists with um, a group called Act Up, but he was also a very famous street artist in the eighties, part of the Warhol crowd he's very easily identifiable from, and his paintings go for millions now. But he was also did some of the very [00:16:00] early posters and and that sort of thing. So we're borrowing from him. My name is Sophie Wooden. Um, my group is called, so Journey of the Lost soul. Um, I am an advocate for recovery for HIV A. I DS, um, people because I see myself recovery, and I'm out there to say it's wonderful to be out instead of being shamed. Um, and the more people that have been seeing us in in town [00:16:30] and, you know, talking to us and say, Wow, you can talk about it So we encouraging people not to be ashamed and be who they are and being free in the parade itself. What will you be doing? We are going to be with a bunch of young girls and young boys. The reason for that is because I mean in promoting, uh, the next generation, it's free. Uh, so as an older person, So we are gonna be jumping up and down and just show how wonderful life is. It's a [00:17:00] a parade for everybody, for everyone from every background. And because he said, pride parade, I relate to that. It's about being proud of who you are, regardless, and that's what we present. Hello? Uh, my name is Joe Blackmore. My partner is, um, a retired naval officer. He and we're going to be marching with the New Zealand defence force in the Pride parade. Um, the the [00:17:30] injured de F will be marching in uniform as sanctioned was all sanctioned by chief of defence. Is this the first time that the defence force has actually kind of marched on something like this? Yes, it is. It's actually, um, the first time the the the first appearance in public at a gay event was last week at the um in fact, no, they did out in the square as well. They did, and they did last week for big gay out. And now this is the first marching event where they're [00:18:00] going to be in a parade for those previous events. How were they received that was received? Very well. Um, everybody, um, very positive comments from all members of the public and from also from within defence as well they have. They've had, um, very good support from everyone. Sean, can can we just check that? We've got all the signs that go on the front of the trucks, so let's start with number one, which is the pride Leave flow. Have you got that? Number two Body [00:18:30] art showcase Uniq Rainbow Youth. I know they're coming in later dot family. 0, 800 outline. They called through before and we're about 10 minutes late. OK, that's fine. And cabaret? Ah, Charlotte museum. They've made a change. They're talking about adding the chariot to the back of their throat. But they've said that they want to attach it to the tow bar. And I know that the chariot doesn't have that fixture, [00:19:00] so we need to just do a double check, health and safety check on that. We've got drag queens, First scene, OK, The next one. This is a change. So this is the Canadian First Nation ring dancer. OK, that sounds interesting. Yeah, we saw him perform the other day at an 80th birthday party and he had 14 rings and he was playing with all of them that the day is warming up. It's overcast today on [00:19:30] parade day, Saturday, the 16th of February. And, uh, we're in Maidstone Street where all the floats are set up. And as you can see, they're looking very colourful already. Um, one of every kind. Hi, I'm I'm Brian Bentley. I run a transgender group up in and have been doing that for about 10 years, and we support, uh, transgender youth as well as older folk. We do, um, education, [00:20:00] going to schools and talk and talk to other groups as well. So that's part of what we do up in. We're down here to support the dots float. Who is going to be full of absolutely fabulous people, and I am one of the marshals that walks around the float and tries to keep law and order. And how do you do that? I haven't the faintest idea. I gave up on law and order quite a long time ago. [00:20:30] The marshals are supposed to be the the this, the people maintaining order. But, um, most of them are going to be dressed up in amazing costumes and stuff, and I think they're going to have a lot more fun than what a normal martial does. Is this the first parade you've you've been involved in? Now I've been involved in a couple of the other parades, and the first parade was probably my introduction to other people within the transgender society [00:21:00] back sort of 10 years ago, I thought I was the only one in the world, and it you tend to be very lonely and things like this really, um, allow you to meet other people and understand that you're not on your own. And that's a That's another part of the parade. Can you describe that first experience of, of, of, of being in a parade? What was it like? Incredibly emotional. And the Ponsonby Road was absolutely [00:21:30] jam packed with the bystanders yelling and screaming and Yahoo and everyone on the floats were having an amazing time. And I don't think I actually came down to ground level for about three days afterwards. That was just how emotional the thing was. Um, I'm Lucas, and participation here is representing Rainbow Youth for the Pride Parade. Um, I'm Derek. And yeah, I'm just representing Rainbow Youth and showing how proud I am that I'm part of this organisation. [00:22:00] Part of yeah, all the kids. Hi, I'm Daniel and I'm representing Rambo youth. It's kind of amazing walking around, seeing all the floats, seeing all like the tinsel and the balloons and stuff. It's all very colourful. It's all it's really cool. Yeah, it's it's It's definitely overwhelming. Just seeing, like all the rainbows everywhere, you can't not smile when you look around and It's just looking at the effort that people have gone into to show pride. It's quite good. Yeah, I'm Jackie Russell Green, and I'm here with the New [00:22:30] Zealand campaign for Marriage Equality. And I'm Cameron Law. Also with the campaign. Um, and our float is, uh, a giant wedding cake, Uh, which we're going to have two very brave lesbians on top of, um, travelling down the road. And we also have this, um, red Buick here with just married. And the kids are putting cans out the back of it. At the moment. We're in fact, the last parade in the float. So the very last image that people will see is the back of that magnificent convertible with two grooms in the back. Why is being a part of [00:23:00] this parade important? Um, well, our our our goal as a group is to, um, help ensure that parliament passes the marriage equality Bill Louis Louis walls, Bill. Um, and so we wanted to, um, to be here to demonstrate, um, that this this this community really values marriage equality that it really supports it, and hopefully they'll hear that from the chairs that will go up and the claps and the applause and in support of marriage equality. And we also want to, um, remind this community that actually, um, that battle is not [00:23:30] one yet. We've only had the first reading. And we need to, uh, get the, um, next two votes, uh, through and and we need some support to do that. It's also a way of saying thank you to the community for the enormous support they've given us for the campaign for marriage. Equality so far. What I mean, why is marriage equality important? I think it's the last big legislative item that's that waits for to be settled for gay people once we've got marriage equality, I think legislatively speaking, we're on an equal footing with every other member of the New Zealand community. And I guess marriage equality is important because [00:24:00] civil unions aren't enough. You know, it's a little bit like being asked to ride at the back of a bus. You might theoretically arrive at the same destination, but you're travelling in a different way, and it's got different terminology associated with it. And we think we think that New Zealand is a fundamentally fair, um, people who like to give everyone a fair go. And and that's why we think that this bill is going to pass because they'll they'll look at lesbian and gay couples and think, Yeah, what's wrong with that? Why shouldn't these two people be able to, um, commit to marriage? Um, and I? I think they'll be fine. Uh, and [00:24:30] and it's really important, um, for not just for actually for the gay and lesbian community, but for the whole community that we don't allow discrimination to continue. Well, um, this is the Waiheke Rainbow Coalition, and, um, our our float is very, um, makeshift at the last minute because our caravan, we couldn't have So our love shack is actually a a van. Um, and we got lots of people from Waiheke coming over about 50 to walk. And here's some of our lovely [00:25:00] marshals. My name is and I'm from I'm very excited to be here in the the Gay Pride March 1st one since 2002, and I look forward for it to being an annual event. Can you describe your van? Well, it's very pink. It's very colourful. It's got buzzy bees and it says Waiheke, full of fruits and nuts. It also says, um, just married, which is making reference to the [00:25:30] fact that, uh, it's not totally recognised as the word that we should use. So just married is on the back for that purpose. You you've also got some, um, banners going on. Tell me about some of those, uh, some of them relate just to, like, Wacky was so gay and gay hicky. But the one that interests me is the gay as you, which gives you GAY, which is actually where the gay started. Um, back in San Francisco in the seventies. So gay is actually not taking over a word. It's [00:26:00] It stands for good as you and which we needed to stipulate in those years. Hi. I'm and I'm a south north street coordinator. So basically, that means I'm standing at the corner of Maidstone Street and Crum Road. I'm just making sure that the floats are in the right places. I see you've also brought your your very nice looking camera with you. So you're a photographer, too? Yeah. I actually work as a freelance photographer, and, um, I decided to volunteer today and help out. And, um, and also just bring my camera and take some photographs along [00:26:30] the way when you're taking photos in a kind of pride parade situation. What? What are you looking for? Um, as I'm a documentary photographer. So this is sort of the thing that I enjoyed photographing. And it's people doing what they're doing without them really knowing that you're, um, that they're being photographed. So it's really candid, natural sort of stuff. And, um, yeah, it's just capturing little moments and snippets and time. Is this the first kind of pride parade or, you know, pride slash hero parade You've done? Actually, no. I've actually been documenting the hero parade. Um, [00:27:00] pretty much all of them, I think I've had Yeah, when I was shooting film, um, colour, transparency in black and white. So I've got some really cool old images, so it's quite nice to turn up Finally, with digital when you look at what's happening today and what was happening back then in the nineties, what are the kind of differences? Um, I think the technical aspect as far as sound systems, um, has definitely improved. Um, the is not so bulky. And, um and but the floats still look exactly the same, and [00:27:30] I think you can just do a little bit more and be a little bit, have more of a presence as far as sound and lighting is concerned. What are the most memorable things from the hero parades? Ah, I think it's, um, all the friends and families, um, standing along lined up along road, watching and cheering and just having such a good time. And in those days there were sort of people barriers, you know, protecting you from the floats. But at the same time, you could pretty much just walk straight into, like, I remember one time there was no barriers [00:28:00] and everybody was just there, just like Oh, please, just move back before your feet get run over by the cars, going past. Looking back at your images from that time, What's some of your favourite images? I have to say it's the marching boys. It's always the marching boys. They look really hot. They all toned and the little pom poms flying around, and especially with the light when the light has gone down and just picking up the pompom shining and you know some spotlights is amazing and this is quite different this year because we're in the afternoon where his hero was was an evening thing, [00:28:30] wasn't it? Yes, it was always in the evening. And that's why I had a really amazing atmosphere. Um, we used to come down with our little cousins and, um, just have a really good time. But, um, yeah, watching it in the daylight is gonna be quite different, but it's still going to have the same feel, so really, on a count of three. Ready? 321222 like, Hey, what are we in the parade? What are we in the parade for? We're trying to inspire, I guess. Um, gay people that just like to do something a bit different against the norm. And not many people think about gay [00:29:00] people. Wakeboarding. So hey, it's something new, and we're gonna have a go. And it's a good social outlet to try and kind of meet new people and find people who have some common interests rather than hanging out at all the night clubs and getting wasted every night, which is Yeah, it's really scary seeing gay men in the daytime gay man in daytime. That's a whole other world going against stereotypes. Um, that's sort of what we stand for, and that's what we're trying to get across. So what are the stereotypes? Oh, um oh, anything. I mean, I guess people [00:29:30] general public put people in boxes, and, um, that's obviously not always right. And so we're just doing What we're doing is, you know, I guess gay people don't generally, um, Wakeboard. You could say, um, people expect that, and we do. So we're just thinking that it's not just the white boarding aspect. It's many other aspects of just day to day life as a gay man or anything. I think there's also a about kind of showing a different side of gay life, not not just to, you know, the [00:30:00] heterosexual community, but also to the gay community to show them that there is, uh, another side of gay life that doesn't have to be, you know, going out and getting boos and going to nightclubs and, um, scoring every guy you see kind of thing. So it's creating, uh, awareness within the gay community as well as outside of the gay community. Can we do that chart one more time? doing that. Maybe we do the [00:30:30] association. We're still getting our roots for yourself, all right. 321. Dude who like? Yeah, well, we're in Crum Road now with a decorated truck, and we're going to have women who can't walk. Some have got bad knees and so on, and they'll be sitting on the back of the truck banging drums and shaking rattlers and [00:31:00] pom poms and things. And then we'll be walking in front of the truck with the Charlotte Museum Trust Big Banner. And then behind us will be some women walking with their flags and the chariot, the chariot that was used in the gala and was in a hero parade many 10 years or more ago. It's been resurrected, and it's going to go down road with all the glam and glitter that that it has a golden chariot with a golden chariot in the name of [00:31:30] Sao. I think this time, rather than the boys. My name is Miss Taro Patch, and we are here to enjoy free love, fabulous and everything that is gay. Can you describe the atmosphere today? Oh, stunning. I think it's a long time coming. I mean, especially for the people who are new to the scene. Um, it is It is about owning who you are walking the walk, and this is walking the walk. I think it's really electric. I was here, like, 11 years ago. It's so overdue. [00:32:00] Hallelujah! Libra flag. I love it. Thank you, guys. We got sugar free. It's the sugar free with stevia at the plan. [00:32:30] And can you describe your Oh, OK, I'm summer Summer clearance. This is Lola. Auntie Lola, Bang away. We've got little summer frocks here that are in three tone matching way colours. Fabulous underskirts A little bit of sequin, A little bit of glitter, A bit of glam. Lola, honey. Yes, darling? Lola, Bang away Drag queen clearly, [00:33:00] Sweetness. Isn't this amazing? This is fabulous. Well, 43. But let's talk about it. This is amazing. We are so privileged to have, um, her pride to the parade back. And to have all this fabulous and all this gorgeousness and all this gayness. Did you see the, um, the museum and sky tower Absolutely fabulous. Love it. Love it. Thank you. Very, very happy to be here After 11 years, [00:33:30] it's been an awful long time. I was only ever in one parade before, and that was the wet one. Torrential rain through the parade. We looked like drown rats by the rest. By the end of it, it wasn't no, it wasn't ready. So this is going to be such a treat. And there's some such a buzz here. Everyone's having such a good time ever so pleased ever so happy. Why do you think these kind of parades are important? Well, I think they remain important for visibility reasons, and I think they also remain important because, although, you [00:34:00] know, the situation for lesbians and gay men has improved out of sight over the last years, Uh, it is a complete mistake to pretend that all the problems are solved. And I've said there's been a gay, but there is also. There's also the transgender and sex issues and so on and, um, differences by ethnicity, the whole whole range of things. But particularly, I think, for young young kids coming out, the safety in schools, campaigns, the anti bullying campaigns, I think all those are really important and it's important to keep giving the messages [00:34:30] that there is still work to do and, um, that there should be, uh, tolerance, equality. And, of course, not just on sexual orientation. I liked my politics. Links it with all the other oppressions in the world. Uh, race, colonialism, the whole, the whole thing. And there's still gender issues, too, of course. Yeah. So I think it matters that that it still happens and people can have should be having fun, too. But I think it has a serious side. Um, my name is Dave. Um, we're [00:35:00] Ben New Zealand. So we're a sort of group of like minded hairy, maybe slightly older guys that just sort of have a like mind. And we get out and do things. Together we go, we have bowling nights, we have bar nights. We, um just before Christmas, we did the crossing. So we we're sort of pretty active for a bunch of guys. I will, um the, uh, bear New Zealand's been running bear pride. Now, for the fourth year this year, [00:35:30] it's part of pride itself. We're running 13 events, so it's quite busy. Uh, last night was Mr Erge Bar. Um, the winner is going over to Melbourne to the Mister Southern Hibernation Bear contest. And if they win, they'll go to an international, um, competition. Uh, we've had a very busy week. Er we've still got a few more events to go. Um, and it's really great. And we've got a lot of guys [00:36:00] from overseas. A lot of locals, people from Wellington and Christchurch up. How many people are marching today? Um, we reckon probably about 50 behind us. This is our float here. So the guy who won the Mr Bare competition last night will be in the car, and there's probably going to be about 50 of us marching behind. Why is marching in this kind of event important? I think it's it's good to sort of get show the diversity of our community. It's, you know, you could see the range of people here today. Um, [00:36:30] and it's, you know, if people see, you know, a bunch of, you know, just regular looking guys who can be out and gay and happy, it's, you know, if we can provide role models like that for younger guys, then that's a great thing. So both of us are actually native New Zealanders. Uh, both moved over here about 2.5 years ago, we were surprised there wasn't even a pride march. Uh, it's great that after 10 years, we've actually got some form of Pride March. It's quite important to people. Uh, I don't know. When I [00:37:00] did my first Pride March, it just lifted a lot of stress off me. So I think it's very important that we have something like this. Yeah, it's just to show the rest of Auckland that that we're here. Yeah, otherwise there's a danger we could just become just invisible part of the community. But, you know, here we are. And there's thousands of us, which is great. And I think with bears, I mean, we also like you wouldn't recognise them. You're just like the everyday Joe kind of thing. [00:37:30] They wear suits. They could be a labourer. They could be a doctor. They could be a nurse. Um, and being out of pride much, we we just show that we are ordinary people. Uh, there are other parts of the community that it gets a lot of media attention, but, you know, we are a part of the community, um, the same as drag queens as leather people. Um uh, lesbians on, uh, dikes on bikes. Everyone is part of the community, and we are happy to [00:38:00] do much and show that, you know, you can be just an average man and, um, be part of the community. Hi. My name's Lauren and we're at the Auckland Pride Festival parade. It's the first time I've been. So I'm really looking forward to it. But my partner Ros was here at the last 1. 2001. Yeah, I went to a lot of, um, parades down road was absolutely gutted when they stopped [00:38:30] them in 2001. So I'm really, really wrapped that they've started again being the first parade you've been to. What, Um what? What are you anticipating? I'm anticipating lots of colour and music and costumes. I'm looking forward to seeing the drag queens. My favourite thing is going to be the motorcycles. I want to see the dikes on mics. Just all of it. Really. I want to see the bears with their golden chariot. [00:39:00] I want to see the Charlotte museum with their float, you know, And the purple, that's all gonna be purple. Yeah, Oozy bar. I'm looking forward to seeing that and hopefully, you know, getting into the carnival atmosphere, which will last after the parade as well. Everybody's going to be in really high spirits now. You've arrived actually quite early, haven't you? And you've got your chairs set up. And when when did you arrive? One o'clock. We wanted to go to the exhibition [00:39:30] because there's some exhibitions on and we wanted to get a really good seat, and we'd really like to be in the glam stand, but we can't afford it. So we're like, right next to it, As close as we could get. Just for those of you who can't see, we're not cutting the day. We're pulling it. It's done with a bow. There's no cutting today. It's gently pulled apart. Now, I'd like to introduce the, um, his worship the, uh, mayor of Auckland, Mr Lyn Brown. So [00:40:00] I just want to, uh, really put ask you to put your hands together before we, uh, pull. What is an appropriate ribbon? Yellow. We've bought the light and the sun back to this city. Uh, but, uh, I, I want to acknowledge the organisers to join. Or your team. You've done an outstanding job. Let's put our hands together for the organisers just for superb. And finally this is a historic occasion And, uh, this city in it's [00:40:30] uniting has a spirit of we can do not We can't do we too often In recent times we have been defined by what we can't or will not do Well we can and we will do the pride parade. So on behalf of you all we are here to formally launch the 2013 Pride parade in this beautiful city of Auckland. [00:41:00] It is open and we're wrong. When I saw that remembrance fight, [00:41:30] I just bowed and bowed and bowed My God! And they started singing Hallelujah for me and Oh my God! I lost it completely. Lost it. Oh, what a day! What a day! I was so scared. At 10 to 4, there was hardly anybody on the street. I was so scared then all of a sudden Look what happened. Look what happened. Unbelievable! Unbelievable. [00:42:00] Yeah, well, we're just coming up to the last float, um, for Pride parade in 2013. It's been an absolute [00:42:30] amazing five months, and today has just been phenomenal and, uh, just to be able to walk with the lead float, Uh, see the the crowd and the expressions and yeah, just absolutely amazing. So gonna make me cry. Thank you, boys. Well done. See you, guys. Thank you. Wow. Well, we've done it. [00:43:00] Oh, God, I tell you what. Now my energy is starting to go zero down anyway. Exceeded all my expectations. That was absolutely incredible. And we actually finished, what, 30 minutes early. So, um, that's a good indication for next year that we can probably add some more floats in. Um and everything was going at a good speed. So, um, brilliant. I think that was a brilliant job. I'll even pat myself on the back for this one. So I suppose it's over and out for Auckland Pride [00:43:30] Parade 2013.
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