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Um, we are at the square. Um, we're here for Wellington. Um, the opening of, um out in the park. It's for the LGBT plus community to support everyone within Wellington. And, um, our young and old people can come and join. Is this the first pride event you've been to? Um, this is probably my second one in Wellington. I've [00:00:30] been to one in, Um, that was more of sort of community based around, um, they tried to set a world record, but I don't know if they achieved it or not. And was that world record was that for the the shortest pride walk? That's heaps of fun. Yeah, well, really enjoyed ourselves and stuff. Yeah. [00:01:00] So why do you think? Um, these kind of private events are important. Um, sort of for all of our rights. And, you know, everyone has rights and stuff to support them and stuff. And for you both. Is this the first pride event you've been to third for me? Yeah. And, um, yeah, we just come here to support Kayla, and, um, yeah, I'm really into, um, letting young people sort of have the freedom that they're getting nowadays. You know, It's a really good [00:01:30] thing. So, yeah, hopefully it sort of continues. You know, eventually, it'll be just, um, just part of society. It won't be something that's different, you know? Can you see that change in society? I can see that. Yeah. I think everyone's going to be the same eventually. You know, um, this is just the beginning. So, um, yeah, I see the future as a sort of a very liberated, much more open minded, You know what I mean? Can you describe, um, the kind of feeling that you get from these [00:02:00] kind of events? Um, well, it's different, but I'm quite accepting of most people. Yeah, it's quite a good thing to come to. Yeah, I'm sort of very, um I feel sort of part of it. Like part of it. You know, you just sort of feel accepted, you know? It's a nice feeling. It is. Yeah. Yeah. Um, yeah. I like meeting different people from different cultures. And, um, yes. Fitting in with everyone within my community. [00:02:30] Um, yeah. It's good to meet other people from all over the place. And if somebody couldn't be here today for whatever reason, Um, would you have a message for them. Um, just wanna say be yourself and don't be of who you are. And stuff is, um, continue to believe in what you believe in. So what do you think the, um, the reason for holding a pride parade or walk? [00:03:00] Um, I reckon LGBT people need to know that there's other people out there and it's just a great, um it's a safe place. And it's a place where we can all come together and celebrate our differences. And so today, who are you marching with? Um, I'm marching for inside out, which is an organisation that helps LGBT youth in New Zealand. And I volunteer for them. And so, in terms of volunteering, what what kind of work do you do? Um, just [00:03:30] this month, I handled the receipts. Um, I made this beautiful sign I've helped out at, like, school events, uh, fundraisers, all sorts of things. So why is it important for groups like inside out to exist? Um, well, the organ, uh, the founders realised that there weren't enough. Um, organisations focused on LGBT youth, and that was really needed in our country. Because even though we're quite progressive, there was. There's still heaps [00:04:00] of issues and, um, inside out have slowly been combating that, but there's still ages to go, but they've been really good. What has inside out given to you? Um, every year they run the shift, which is it just feels like going home. It's like a, um, like a camp for a few days for LGBT youth. And it's just amazing. Everyone feels like family, and it feels like home. And, um, LG, uh, inside out has just helped me to exist more [00:04:30] safely and happily. That's the kind of feeling I also get from say, like, pride events as well that just kind of real sense of family. I mean, is that the kind of feeling that you get? Absolutely. That's the reason I come. So, Karen, what are we up to? Uh, so we're just at the beginning of the walk, um, starting in Civic Square, and at the moment we're just getting the flags together because we've got our we got, like, 10 flags that represent different parts of our community. So we're just trying to get the flags together so that we can take them on the walk. So these the flags will be leading [00:05:00] the parade. Yeah, probably. Um, And again, just as a way of obviously having something really visual to lead the parade, but also a way of just trying to represent our diversity. And so, yeah, there's 10 flags as representing a range of different groups. And so, yeah, they'll lead. We'll ask different people just to hold them and take them through to the park. And then we'll walk from Civic Square down into Waitangi Park to join the rest of them down there. Amazing colours people are wearing today. It's very vibrant. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it always is, but I think particularly this year, [00:05:30] um, because they've promoted it as a youth, you know, a Children and youth. Um, walk. And I just think that our Children and young people, people just always come out looking amazing and just so full of energy and vibrancy. So I think they look really coloured, But also, they just bring a different energy. I think as well. So, um, although the walk is aimed at everybody, um, we are you know, we are hoping that there's lots of young people and Children here today. If somebody can't be here today. What would be the message from you to them? Ah, so so especially for young [00:06:00] people and Children. I guess what we're hoping is is that it gives that message of, um it's OK to be who you are and also that there are plenty of other people around that you can connect in with. And I think that's one of the most important things about today is that people do get to see that there are other people that maybe they identify with, Or maybe they just get to meet some new people. But there are other people out there and so many great groups and organisations for well, for everybody, but particularly for young people and Children. I think so, Um, hopefully that's the [00:06:30] message they get is that there are things they can come and get involved with, or come and speak to people they can just come and speak to, or even just watch from afar if they're not ready to be fully in it at the moment. So, um so for people that aren't here, um I'd say Just look out and get involved when you can. Yeah, I see. Like people just being in a space where they can feel comfortable with themselves and just being truly themselves and like being proud. Just so many people being themselves and having really beautiful outfits, for one thing and [00:07:00] some a site that makes my heart really happy and kind of numerous flags. Can you tell me which flags we can see? Oh, so many. Um, we were actually just naming a few of them. But, of course, the classic rainbow Flags. So many of those, um, but even flags that get more specific. Like like lipstick, lesbian flags, gender queer flags, intersex flags, trans flags, um, asexuals flags. Yeah, Jami sexual flags. Like there's just every flag I can think of is around here. [00:07:30] And so is this the first time you you've you've marched in a pre? Um, not the first. Last year was my first, but, um, this year is my first as a confident queer. Yeah, Last year was also my first. Uh, we went together last year as well. So, um, yeah, it's really cool coming back to it. Yeah. So tell me, what was the the first time? Like, um, I felt really uplifted. It was just um, not long after I was sort of discovering sexuality and stuff, and the amount of acceptance I felt [00:08:00] was just really amazing. And it made me it really encouraged me to be myself even more. Yeah, it was a big turning point in my life. Yeah, and it felt incredibly validating. Like I felt like, Yeah, this is who I am. And I'm so comfortable here. And it was like I was kind of home, like it felt really, really comfortable. Yeah, absolutely. For sure, I do definitely reflect a lot on it. I still look at the pictures that we took last year of me, just like shyly posing with the flag. Um, and yeah, this year I get to come with my girlfriend, and [00:08:30] it's amazing. Yeah, like you. You basically said it. I'm like, I have nothing really to add for that. It just is amazing. Like, I just love it. So, what do you think? Some of the biggest issues still facing kind of rainbow queer communities are today. Um, there's still people that aren't as accepting, and I think as understanding especially, I think the trans community is really, um, underrepresented in like media and things like that. It's something that we can definitely do more for and every day, do more to recognise. [00:09:00] I mean, yeah, yeah, I agree. It's like, um, you know, I think we're getting there, But there's still a lack of representation for a lot of people who aren't, like, just like homosexual, where that I find is getting a lot more representation than people who have more. Like say what people would say complex sexualities like asexuality or demisexuality and things like that. Um And I think, yeah, just close mindedness is still an issue that, like we're still trying to break [00:09:30] the barriers of. Yeah. So if somebody couldn't be here today for whatever reason, what would be the kind of message you would want to give them? Oh, that, Um, just be yourself. Um, I guess that's just a really, like, cheesy, easy little message. But I mean, even if you look at pictures from today, know that everyone here, um, is supporting you, and everyone is definitely gonna be welcoming. Yeah, and you're not alone. Yeah. So So what do these kind of pride events mean to you? To me, it's, um [00:10:00] it's It's a whole mixture of things. I guess it's remembering where we've come from, uh, our culture ourselves And, um, just coming together and unity to to share and that pride, visibility. And, um, you know, I know we bang on about the youth, but it is It's about, you know? So you're in the this morning and then, um, what does the rest of the day hold for you? Probably some nasty sunburn hoping there will be candy floss. [00:10:30] Just catching up with people that, you know, you might only see at pride, um, or at funerals throughout the year. Or who you haven't seen in ages because they've been away. But yeah. Also checking out what community groups from all around the region are there and supporting them, who we can Just being together. One big, proud lot. If if if there was somebody that couldn't be here today, for whatever reason, you know, would you have, like, a message for them? Uh, you know? Yeah. For whatever reason. [00:11:00] Gosh, you're here. You know, if you want to be here, you're here with us, and and we're we're there with you. Prides for everybody everywhere. So, Chrissy, um can you describe for me what you can see in front of us. Oh, awesome. A great collection of, um, queer, happy and very prideful folks here. A lot of youth. It's great. Um, and I expect that we're going to get a really good pride parade here today. Have you been to any appropriate? Uh, yeah, [00:11:30] a good few. And I'm also involved in pride, which we do in, um, over labour weekend in, uh, so we'll be doing a big festival again this year. I knit pride, um, Beanies. So, uh, yeah, it's one of my one of my things now. So this is the festival up the coast where you did you break the world record for the shortest? Yes, we have the world's shortest pride parade. So we have a bit of a warm up first down the, um, down the parade, and then we get actually into [00:12:00] and we go across the crossing, which we are trying very hard this year to get our, uh, rainbow crossing in Paki. So we're going to organise a, um, a meeting and a discussion soon on that. So how long is the shortest parade parade? Actually, I can't tell you I haven't measured it. Um, but it is just our crossing. And it is quite a small street, uh, beach road. It's quite narrow, but, um, we certainly rock it. Yeah, And I heard there was a huge crowd. Uh, last year, How big was it? It [00:12:30] was a good amount of pie anyway, and plenty of people from, um, around and about. So we're hoping to grow the the festival every year, So yeah, why is it important to have, uh, festivals right throughout the country rather than just, like, say, in the main centres? Um, I think it shows that we've got, you know, queer queer folk everywhere and that we we are proud, and we are there and that we need to still actually battle homophobia, and we need to battle a lot of prejudices. So I think it's really important that actually, people, you know, get out there and and show their [00:13:00] colours. What's the kind of feeling you get from pride parades or pride events? Um, great sense of community, um, people banding together, everybody being happy, being themselves, being true to themselves. When did you start knitting? Um, rainbow beanies. Uh, I started doing the rainbow hats about two months before pride. And and so that's October. I knocked 60 out in two months. Yeah, I'm a bit of an obsessive NT, um, [00:13:30] and raise $300 for, um, outer spaces, which is, you know, the LGBTI Q, um, youth charity. So I'm doing that again. So I flog my hats off at $25 a pop. $5 from every hat goes to outer spaces. And so how long does it take you to make one? Uh, a good few hours? So I sit and watch mindless TV sometimes Or, you know, put YouTube on and, um, and do it on trains and in public spaces, because craft is a thing, too. And it's good to get those conversations [00:14:00] out there craft. So tell me more about that. How did you get into that? OK, so, um, I started knitting women's movement hats, the pink ones, um, and started doing it in public spaces because you end up with those interesting conversations and I was commuting to into the city all the time. So, um, Down Time was knitting time. And, um, a friend of mine who, uh, Val Little who is involved with the the whole PICO Pride thing and a lot of events. Um, she threw her pink one to Cindy Lauper at the Cindy Lauper concert [00:14:30] last year. So I am a craft to the stars as well. And, um, I just ended up with all my varied colours of wools last year and thought I'd not myself a pride hat. I needed my flatmate one, and I knew they'd go off in P cock. So it's become a thing. It's become a thing. It's so cool. So tell me if somebody can't be here during the the the pride or out in the square, for whatever reason, what would you say to them? Um know that there is a really great community and a really strong community. [00:15:00] Um, be you, like, just be you and and and live your life how you want to And, um, yeah, be proud. We can see lots of queer people young and older, And so I should say, young at heart, lots of rainbow flags, a little girl in a rainbow skirt and, um, lots of quite happy people. There's [00:15:30] so much here today, isn't there? Yeah, there is lots of rainbow colours. So have you. Have you done? Have you participated in a lot of pride events? Yes. I love the fear. I love the parade. I love going to the parade first and then the fair And, uh, just catching up with everybody feeling proud and you just feel really good to be part of a community. So what was the, uh, earliest pride events that you've been to 0, 100 [00:16:00] years ago? Quite a long time ago. Um, I may be young at heart, but I'm very old, but, I mean, the the the response must have changed from the public. Yes, definitely. The response has definitely changed from the public. I was involved with the, um, protests about the homosexual law reform. And, um My God, has the response changed. Tell me what it was like back then. Well, it was a pretty hard time. There was so much bigotry coming out of the woodwork. [00:16:30] It was appalling. So you have to walk past, um, Norm Jones on the corner with his table with all his awful stuff and the Salvation Army petition. It was really quite horrible. Quite yuck. Knowing what a lot of people were thinking about us, and we went on the big march. But my mother wanted to come, and I said to her, Don't come because I was afraid for her safety, but it actually was fine. And it was really empowering. And I was sorry that I told her not to come, [00:17:00] but, um, because I was proud that she wanted to come. But I Yeah, it was just that there were no guarantees that destiny Church was out there, all sorts of people. So, yeah, it was a little bit intimidating, but we won, so it was all good. It's quite amazing to think that actually, that was only 30 years ago. A huge change, really, isn't it? Yeah, it is. And I was so proud to be in glamour phones and be singing and celebrating at Parliament for the 30 [00:17:30] year anniversary. I was so proud to have been part of both. It was awesome. Is this the first, uh, or parade you've been in? No. I, um, have been in a few of them over the years. I was a secondary school teacher, and so, as a teacher, I've always felt it was really important to, um uh, walk in parades like this to be a sort of visible role model for young people. And, um, although I don't teach anymore, I now work for the secondary teachers union. So that's what brings me here this year. We've got a group [00:18:00] walking in the parade. So do you think it's changed, uh, much for, uh, rainbow LGBTI? Um, kids in in school nowadays? Um, I think there's definitely been some shifts. If I think back to, um, even when I started teaching 20 years ago, I think it was difficult for kids to be, um, lesbian or gay in schools. And that was kind of odd, you know, it was seen as a rare sort of thing. Now I think there are still a lot of challenges for, particularly our young trans people and our young people in rural [00:18:30] communities. And I'd probably say, also in, um, some of the more conservative or traditional kind of schools as well, particularly all boys schools, I think, are more challenging places for some of the young people. And and what about for, um, rainbow LGBTI Q teachers? It's been a, I think, a long journey. I know when I started teaching 20 years ago. I made a conscious decision not to be out while I was doing my teacher education because I wanted to guarantee I got a job at the end. And as soon as I had a job, I was absolutely out in the school that I was in. And I think [00:19:00] that's shifted. But, um, in my role at PPTI, I still get calls from, um, schools and teachers where teachers are having a bit of a rough time in schools. But I think it is a lot more accepting than it used to be. So But you you were obviously concerned that it might have an effect on on getting a job. Yeah, 20 years ago, definitely. I did worry about that. Um, I don't think that that issue exists in the same way now for lesbian and gay teachers. Um, and I don't know about trans teachers. There's so few of them, I guess around. Why do you think [00:19:30] pride, parades and pride festivals are important? Um, I think it's really important for, um, public visibility for people to see for non queer members of the public to see the queer community out having a good time and just, you know, being normal because we are normal. Um, but I think it's also really important for people in the community who are queer who don't feel so confident or comfortable in being out, being able to see themselves reflected. Can you describe the feeling [00:20:00] of of participating in in A In an event like this? I really enjoy it. Um, I was in Auckland last week for the, um, Pride Parade and I. I feel like a pride tourist. Um, and what I really loved about that was, uh, we were walking, um, under the teachers with pride banner there as well. And it was fantastic. The number of older people from the community who came up to us and said things like, Gosh, I wish we'd had teachers like you when we were at school. But then also all along in the along [00:20:30] road, all the young people that really cheered for the teachers, the sort of recognition that you know, teachers probably are a bit of crusty old people to them, but that actually, you know, for a lot of them they could see themselves reflected back, which was really nice. Is there something that you would say to people that actually can't attend today. For for whatever reason, Um, I think the reality is not everybody can be out and about and, um, visible in the community. And I know when I go into schools to do workshops, there are teachers who, [00:21:00] you know, slip me notes to say thank you for coming to the school. They don't feel confident enough to be out in the school. And, you know, it must be the same in communities that there must be people who don't feel confident to be out. So I guess for them, it's just really important that they know that these sorts of events are going on and that there are people in the community who are there for them. Uh, hi. Uh, my name is Steven. I'm co-chair of our Wellington, the organisation that has organised the Pride Festival this week. And we are so absolutely excited to have this, [00:21:30] uh, youth walk and community to out in the park. Uh, from here. Uh, brief history for you. This fair has been running for over 32 years. Uh, started the Newtown fair, Uh, and four or 56 years ago, it was actually run here in Civic Square and, uh, three or four years ago, they moved it to a park because it just keeps growing, and it just keeps getting better. So I want to thank each and every single one of you for coming along here. Uh, we are now at Wellington. Felt it really important to have this little, uh, walk [00:22:00] here from from the square, Uh, involving the youth, because the youth is the future. I know it's cheesy to say, but it is. And we need to make sure you guys have your place to stand and have your say. So I'm gonna pass over now to Stacey from inside out to say a few words. Hi, everyone. Uh, I'm Stacey from inside out. Um, thank you all so much for being here. I think, like you said, it's so important to have, uh, a youth walk like this because the youth are possibly the biggest part of our community. We're the ones [00:22:30] who are going to be making change in the next 2030 40 years. Um, what I was thinking we could do is have a quick minute of silence for those who've lost their lives in fighting for the rights that we have today. Because I also think it's important to acknowledge that we are so lucky to be able to have events like this without fear. And there were people before us who who still had events like this, but they were shrouded in fear. So a minute of silence, please. [00:23:00] So wonderful. Thank you so much. So [00:23:30] I think it's time to get started. Have a wonderful day. Stay safe. Stay safe. Wear sunscreen. Um, I think the sun's supposed to come out a little bit later. Hopefully, um, so have a good one. OK, what's gonna happen from here? Guys? We're gonna follow all our pride flags that we have up along the front here. Our inside our team are holding them. Uh, we're gonna lead the way up. We're going to follow the ramps the best we can. Drew and Pauline are gonna lead us, and we're going to have a great time. We want to be loud. We want to be proud. We want to have fun. We're gonna be meet, uh, wait just [00:24:00] at the entrance of Waitangi Park and and to it is going to welcome the he on to the, uh, park, and then the official ceremonies will begin. So as they as a um giving us the Kaka and, um, they are going to, uh, we're gonna walk onto the front here. Alright? Are we ready? Tang, Are you ready? 123. [00:24:30] Yeah, Yeah, yeah, yeah. Here. Here. So what's it like leading the parade? Um, a little bit daunting. A little bit daunting, but exciting nonetheless, I think. I mean, we're all young people here, and we're really excited to be [00:25:00] able to represent other young people. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Another chance. This next one, we're gonna go out of the closet and into the streets, OK? 321 and into the streets, [00:25:30] out of the closet and into the streets, out of the closet and into the streets, out of the closet and into the streets, out of the closet and into the streets, out of the closet and into the streets, Out of the closet. And enter the streets Out of the closet and into the streets. That's right. Hi. Can you describe this? Oh, my God. It's so exciting. So, people, The parade the walking parade, I guess [00:26:00] on the waterfront are coming towards us. People giving me hugs. Um, just very colourful, very lively. It's great to hear some new chants as we go along so people can really hear us and see us. Um and I'm actually quite happy to not be organising this year, so I get to stand out in front and watch the whole thing go pass. Very fun. Atmosphere. This one go. [00:26:30] 1234 Open up and close the door. 5678. Don't assume your kids are straight, I think. 5678. 123, 5678. Say 1, 10. Yeah. Thank you. [00:27:00] Next it love it. Love it. Me 1000. Yeah. [00:27:30] Everyone's a little quip here. Everyone's a little quip. Hey. Yeah, listen here. Everyone's a little quip. Hey, you listen here. Everyone's a Hey, you listen here. Everyone's a little quip. Hey, you listen here. Everyone's a little quip. Hey, everyone's a little quick. Yeah, [00:28:00] Are you? Oh.
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