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Does anyone want to see what those What are inside those mystery envelopes that we've been handing out? Like What the heck is that? This is what's inside it, and it reads. The certificate of appreciation is presented to Louisa Wall and gratitude for outstanding contribution to the Rainbow communities of Wellington and to the floods [00:00:30] of wedding invitations that are finally coming in. People have to say no names mentioned. Hold on, hold on. I'll go down and sister her up because in case he falls, right? Yes. Louisa, Thank you so much for everything that you did for us since [00:01:00] many, many moons. Not that many moons, but enough moons to make it count. Well, since your private member Bill was pulled out of the box Oh, this is going badly. And everyone works so hard so that some of us could put a ring on a finger. And, uh, I think there are a few in the in the room like [00:01:30] Yeah, yeah. You have popped the question. A god. Oh, no, no, You You The other one did. Oh, sorry. But I think on behalf of all of us, we'd like to say thank you from Wellington. We love you. We love your work. [00:02:00] Um, thank you. Uh, Wellington, I'm feeling incredibly overwhelmed. Uh, because tonight has been, uh, incredibly emotional. Uh, and it's also been, um, for me, uh, a sign of the connectedness of our rainbow community here in Wellington. It's incredibly special to share this occasion with you. Um, and [00:02:30] I want to thank you for the generosity in acknowledging me as a non Wellington, uh, on your very special and inaugural event, uh, to highlight and to acknowledge, uh, and to honour the people in your community who work so hard for all of us. Um, I would like to, uh, extend not only on my behalf, uh, but Jen's behalf. Kevin's behalf. Maryann's behalf Grant's behalf, uh, the support that the community gave us to have [00:03:00] the courage to, uh, I think stand up for fundamental human rights and to, I guess, challenge the notion that we are the other, uh, because we're not the other. We are, um, in the mainstream of our society, and I actually think that the creativity, uh, and the strength and the resilience that we all show, uh, is a testament not only to our community, but actually to our society. So on behalf of myself as a politician, thank [00:03:30] you for being such a resilient and strong community, because, uh, we got the bill through, and so I want to acknowledge all of us. Um and I'd just like to take the opportunity specifically to acknowledge the young people, Uh, and their acknowledgement of the elders of those who have created the legacy, uh, for us to do what we do. Um, Debbie, I'm incredibly proud of you as a New Zealander. [00:04:00] Uh, and I also think, uh, your recognition as a leader within the Commonwealth actually, um, kind of has catapulted our community into centre stage. Uh, because to be recognised as a young leader, uh, within that context is incredibly humbling. But it's also, uh, a pillar for our community, uh, to continue to do the things that we do. Um, So look, I don't want to talk much longer, but thank you very much to all the people that, [00:04:30] um, have been acknowledged. Thank you, Uh, for the wonderful sharing, uh, the inspiration and the passion. As we begin this new parliamentary term, we've got much to do, and so I look forward. Uh, with all of you to continuing to make the positive change, uh, in our communities, for all of us, Kilda. Thank you, Louisa. [00:05:00] Do you remember Cassie, Cassie of the heart and do family? Cassie, Um, this is, uh, you know, we gonna see a little bit of Cassie tonight, which is, um, all credit to her and the involvement that she's in in the community and the things that she is doing. And, um, we're calling up Cassie now to speak on behalf of Transform and Connor, would you join us too, please? Hello? [00:05:30] Don't they look lovely? I love these two. Not quite. Yeah, everyone. Um, So the next award is for transform, which is a support group for young transgender intersex. Uh, gender, queer and other gender diverse people has been running for a few years in Wellington and generally has been held up by [00:06:00] one or two people. Uh, transport meetings are held every fortnight. And, um, from experience, I can tell you that it's one of the hardest things to do to run that transform meeting. Because, uh, for some of the people that come along, that one meeting every fortnight is really all they have, it's the only place where they feel like they can be themselves. They won't be judged. There won't be any assumptions made about who they are. And, yeah, [00:06:30] it's just not an easy group to run. So we are giving awards to a couple of people who have been helping to run, uh, transform for the last few months. And I think that's all I wanna say until we bring up the people. Yeah, um, Justin kendy clap. I'm under strict orders to keep, um to time. [00:07:00] So I'm just gonna, um, Read what? I've already what I, um, submitted, um, when nominating Justin. So the volunteers at Transform would like to thank Justin for his work in supporting the group to restart this year. As a social worker with lots of experience working with sex, sexuality and gender diverse young people, his knowledge and guidance have been an invaluable contribution to the peer support taking place on the ground. We appreciate Justin's warm heart and dedication to supporting the lives [00:07:30] of young, transgender and questioning people. Thank you, Justin. Stay off the sea. Jin, could you come up? Um, J has taken up a key role within transform over the past year and has shown true leadership skills [00:08:00] and dedication to supporting young, gender diverse people. She's been a Tyler's contributor, organising events, facilitating support groups and being a reliable, kind and astute leader both out the front and behind the scenes with the help of other volunteers at Transform, Givan has driven successes of the group in all her spare time and helped provide a positive and welcoming space for young people exploring and coming to terms with the agenda. Thank you, Jean. [00:08:30] Um, so schools are in transform. Would also like to jointly, um, recognise a member of our community who many of you will know, um, and is is is very well known. And we just want to, um to to recognise this person, um, from a youth perspective. So can I please invite Marie Mitchell up? [00:09:00] [00:09:30] I've been happy to speak for the whole night on money, Mitchell, but I won't. Um, but I'd like to say that transforming schools out would like to jointly nominate Manny Mitchell for their ongoing work supporting sex, sexuality and gender diverse people of all ages. Man has shown immense bravery on every level and is an absolute inspiration to us as young people. Despite doing groundbreaking work across the globe, particularly for intersex communities. [00:10:00] They've always made time for us for questions, counselling, training, supervision and general support. Or we love money for their beautiful heart, willingness to ask the hard questions and fight the tough fights when needed and deep kindness for anyone struggling against hardship, trauma and oppression. Money has paved the way for many of us and is a true hero. Thank you. Money, [00:10:30] Mary Ray, this is a real opportunity to present to you this. You and I are very dear friends, and it's a great honour Well done. And my Lord love to you, man. No, I'm not gonna talk for long because I think we are hideously behind time. I was thinking about 27 years ago when I [00:11:00] worked out finally as a 40 year old, that I was an intersex person and I, like lots of us in our community, hovered between life and death, and the decisions to stay on planet Earth wasn't mine. But I realised I had a cat to look after, and some of us don't have cats to look after. How do you do it? How do you be a person? That's not binary? How do you be an intersex [00:11:30] person that at that point did not have any language or any visibility? And I did it because of all of you. A is an extraordinary place and we are creating something precious and special. It's not easy. We have had some ones, but there's an awful lot of work to do. Some of that. He's been up on stage here tonight, Jack and all [00:12:00] the other people that have organised tonight. Thank you. We can do this, but we're in a need to be strong. We're in a need to support each other because there's a narrative and planet Earth at the moment. That is not healthy. That is against what we have in the room tonight. But we can do it. Thank you all. [00:12:30] Incredible who we have on stage right now, To be honest, an honour. Thank you. Uh, Bill Logan, a hero in his own right for Wellington Gay Welfare Group. Yeah, the the Wellington Gay Welfare group [00:13:00] started off, uh, in 1978 or thereabouts, uh, as the gay switchboard. It ran the gay switchboard and a gay community centre and set up the or helped initiate things like the gay task force and gotten other people involved in that and got it It its role was to spark things off and and and let things go and let all sorts of things go, [00:13:30] um, and and sparked more things off and transformed itself into other things. And it became eventually, what's now? Um uh, gay Wellington. I think it calls itself, um and, uh, it's run newcomers. And it It changed itself from a purely male organisation to, uh, uh, a general organisation for everyone. It tried to play a role supporting other organisations. [00:14:00] It, uh, did what it could for schools out, uh, funding as it could. Uh, it, uh, for a time, uh, it it helped run, uh, fund and and organise lesbian drop in it provided a legal framework for, um, uh, schools out. It still runs a It has a AAA meeting space which is available for queer organisations. Uh, and it has [00:14:30] a website. It's there as a framework for other organisations and still it there is in the background this telephone service, you know, way back then, uh telephone. Peer support services were one of the main ways that queer organisations que queer connections were made. Uh, and those have died. [00:15:00] They don't exist any longer. Uh, they've faded out all over the world now still goes on without many calls, Um, and one of the people who's been there for an awful long time, uh, and has been involved in helping the training and helping, uh keep this organisation going and supporting it as it's gone through its transformations as [00:15:30] it's gone through, It's, uh um becoming something else. Uh, and as it started to perhaps play a less significant role. But still trying to support the other organisations in the queer community has been Ted, and I wonder if he would come forward. [00:16:00] Now Ted has been there quietly in the background, always keeping an eye on things, looking after people making pots of soup, just always checking up that everyone is OK, quietly so that you almost can't hear what he [00:16:30] says, but always speaking so wisely that you strain to make sure that you do hear what he says, because it's always the most sensible thing that's said in the room and year after year being there, holding things together. And he is the person that we nominate for this award. [00:17:00] I feel like an impostor because I was just there, doing what we can all do and what what lots of people have done before Me and lots of people will do after me. Um, thank you. And I think this is a great thing to happen in Wellington. [00:17:30] If we don't do it, Who will think a big hand for these gentlemen? A couple of years ago, the the sports people amongst us organised a huge event in town. The out games and and many, many gorgeous, wonderful people from around the world came to [00:18:00] play Interesting sports competes for the personal best. And there's at least one person in the room who, because they were the only person in their actual age group One gold? Yeah, that's when I thought I'm gonna do that. Some year I'll be a little bit older, but, you know, we'll get there. I'd like to invite Anthony podge from front runners, please. To the stage. [00:18:30] Hi, everybody. Um, I've got three things to say. Um, the first thing is, I want to, um, acknowledge everyone who's brought this event together together tonight It's, um, show a sign of the maturity of our community that we can come together and celebrate those who have [00:19:00] contributed so much, um, to us all. And to our well-being. Um, the second thing I wanna do is talk about our group Wellington front runners. This year is a very special year for our group because this year marks 15 years since Wellington Front Runners was established in 2000, um, groups have come and gone, but it's one of the probably the longest standing sporting, gay and lesbian sporting groups in, uh in New Zealand and certainly, uh, certainly [00:19:30] in Wellington. The group was founded in 2000 to prepare for the Sydney Gay Games in 2000. And two, um, Wellington Front runners members have participated in that they've won medals in the Gay Games in 2002, they participated at the first World Out games in Montreal. I. I was there and I remember this amazing roar, uh, as we marched into the stadium where the Olympics have been held in in the 19 seventies in Montreal. [00:20:00] And it was so I remember writing an email back to my parents how it was. I was so proud to be a New Zealander and how proud I was to be a gay man as we marched into that into that stadium with thousands of other gay, lesbian and rainbow community members from around the world. We've also participated at Copenhagen, the second World Out games, the first Asia Pacific Games in UM Melbourne and, of course, the Wellington Out Games in 2011. [00:20:30] So, um, what we Wellington front runners provides to the community is probably different from the bar scene. It's we're a small group. Not everybody can be up at nine o'clock on a Sunday morning to go running, but there are a number of us who do it every week. It's a social way to to meet other people and to be good for one's health. We heard in the about how important it is to to to to support our health, and that's part of [00:21:00] what Wellington Front runners is about. So if you're keen and you want to get fitter, you want to do round the bays, join up with Wellington front runners. So the third thing I want to acknowledge, of course, is the person I nominated for this award. Um, Nigel Jeff, come on board that. Don't hide it back. [00:21:30] Nigel is, um, one of the founding members of Front Runner. So he wasn't there right at the beginning, but very, very soon off the beginning. And, um, Nigel has been a pillar for our community pillar for Wellington front runners. He ran the organisation well, call us as an organisation. But he kept us together from about 2000 until he handed the reins over to me a couple of years ago. Nigel has been not only the the heart of Wellington front runners, [00:22:00] but has been involved in a number of other, um, community groups. He's involved in the switchboard. Um, he was involved in a Wellington cycling group, which I think still runs. No, Maybe not. They didn't have as much, uh, get up and go as the runners. Um, Nigel and I worked together on the organising the five and 10-K runs for the Wellington Out games. Um, it was a major undertaking to do, um, amazingly uh, a lot of work. More work than you can imagine. And even [00:22:30] I can imagine the work that the people who actually put the whole games together together was because for us, it was an enormous bit just to do 22 events. But it was amazing to see more than 100 runners from around New Zealand and around the world participate on our foreshore, um, showing the rainbow flag to everyone, um, in a very public way, Um, at at those games. So I wanna acknowledge Nigel. And, um, thank you for your contribution [00:23:00] and to the to Wellington, front runners and to the community. Thanks. So, thank you very much, Anthony. I'm not as an eloquent speaker as Anthony, but there are a few things I want to say. First of all, um, to echo Ted, Um, I feel like a bit of an impostor standing here. Um, having listened to some of the, um, the [00:23:30] stories or the yeah, the things that people have done in the community, especially young people, that is really quite awe inspiring. And I feel very humbled to be here to, um, get some acknowledgement for my small contribution to the Wellington gay community. Uh, it's certainly been a very, very interesting 1920 years since I've been in Wellington. I've enjoyed it very much, and I enjoyed being part of the community, so thank you very much. [00:24:00] Now, this is gonna be fun. Can I ask Hamish Eaddy and Martin call back to the stage, please? Yeah, From different strokes. Swimming. Wellington, when we put the invitation out for groups to, um Oh, he's [00:24:30] gorgeous. Um, anyway, to to, uh uh, I'm fluster there. You didn't know that about me, eh? Anyway, um, when we put the call out to groups, uh, to nominate people, Martin put in a nomination for Hamish, which was just beautiful. It was gorgeous. I thought, Yes, that's great. Because Hamish is off soon. Good. We can acknowledge him and all the rest of it. A few days later, [00:25:00] Hamish put in a nomination for Martin, and I thought, This is awkward. What do I do? And I thought I'd OK, I'll tell you. I'll tell you both. This is what's happening now. You can talk to each other, be on stage. You obviously loved up in your own special way, Martin. Thank you. So, in [00:25:30] preparing for this, Hamish and I did nothing except talk just there and say So what are we gonna do? And we decided with the we just wing the introduction and the the explanation of what DS W is, uh, because that's kind of the way that we've done everything so far. We sort of muddled it together and worked it out and made it happen and just gone along. Isn't that right, Hamish? You lost for words for once. Uh, so DS W started in 2008 [00:26:00] strokes. Wellington, a swimming group, Uh, in in in preparation for the for the out games here that Anthony spoke of just before uh, we swim, we meet together and swim together four times a week. Um, and it's all about, uh, inclusiveness as well. I think we've heard that word a lot this evening, and I think it's a very beautiful thing. I think, um, we're incredibly fortunate to be part of a community that's as diverse as we are and as inclusive as we are and as caring for each other as we are. [00:26:30] And we try to to bring a little bit of that into the swimming pool about welcoming, uh, everybody and encouraging people to be the best that they can be for whatever that means to them, uh, and finding ways to do that in the pool and out of the pool. Your turn. Um, it's it's not easy to go along. I mean, I know that I, as a young person, found it difficult to be a part of any sporting group, and, um, didn't really achieve anything in that [00:27:00] in that space. So, you know, to think about us getting together as a kind of visible group of gay men and women in a swimming pool wearing very little, um, with all our, um, challenges around body image and everything else, um, is, uh, is, uh, difficult. So I just think that it's great that we come together. We try and, um, support each other and do the best we can to improve our health as individuals, but also as a, uh, as a community group, if you think about, um, there's lots of issues in the community. For individuals, [00:27:30] there's depression. There's, um, alcohol and drug abuse. There's all sorts of other trauma that we have. Um, as we've come on our journey to accept ourselves so anything that we can do to come together out of our isolation, Um, is important. So that's kind of what different strokes is about. We're not a therapy group, but there's a whole lot of therapy goes on at the end of the pool when we're in our Lycra. That's cool. [00:28:00] I love you. So we've just been given our awards, which is great. Thanks, Carl. So that means, like, we've had our three minutes. So the essentially I just wanted to say about Martin. Martin's been our club captain forever. Um, he was part of the reason that it's called DS W. It's not his fault. Um, but, you know, having someone who continues to organise us all, um, and try and, um, ensure that we're on on message. Um, so [00:28:30] we don't do bad things publicly. Um, is, um, part of Martin's role? He's a school teacher, so he can write shit, and he can make it look good. Whereas, um, I was just trying to be the gay kid at school who didn't die, so I wasn't very good at learning, whereas Martin was pretty good at it. Do you want to say so? I wrote something. It's a real honour to be up here speaking for Hamish, I think, um, and in preparing, I face [00:29:00] two challenges really to ensure that I covered everything and that it's done in the time limit, but that's been blown long ago. So here goes most of you. Most of you will know Hamish and all of you who do will agree with me that he's made such an outstanding contribution to so many, uh, sectors of our rainbow community over so many years as an organiser, as a motivator as a participant and that he is deeply deserving of this evening's award. And in fact, I feel a little bit uncomfortable actually being [00:29:30] up here with him and I. I don't I'm not being disingenuous when I say that. I think this is actually your moment. Hamish and Hamish was instrumental in making the second Asia Pacific art games occur in Wellington in 2011 he was active in. He was active in, uh, bidding to host the Games in the first place. He was the co-chair of the organising committee for much of the time, and then, after stepping down from that post, he continued as a board member and a participant in the game games themselves even finding time to [00:30:00] attend and contribute to the human rights conference. Being the man that he is, he was keen to keep things following the success from the art games. And he helped create and organise the well the rain by Wellington uh, sport and culture weekend. And this has happened every two years since 2011. Prior to that, he served as a board member of the of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation for two years. Four years that, uh, he sang with the glamour [00:30:30] phones choir in its early years, I won't put a date on anything. Um uh and he also had a a long term involvement with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation Beacons of Hope Project. He was instrumental in establishing running a gay and Lesbian Narcotics Anonymous meeting in in Wellington for 12 years. And he helped and establish He helped to establish and organise the very successful devotion dance parties that ran in the nineties in Wellington. Yeah, [00:31:00] And then last year, he worked as a volunteer for the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival as well. Uh, he's also been very instrumental in running DS W. And whilst I might have done a bit of the organising and a bit of the time, the emailing and so on. Hamish has really been at the front and he's often been the one who's welcomed people who's disarmed them with a smile who's made everything OK and probably been doing a fair bit of barking from poolside. Yeah, but I think perhaps his greatest contribution to [00:31:30] the community in Wellington is as a networker and a connector of various people well beyond the swimming pool. He reaches out and welcomes everybody and anybody without prejudice and definitely without guile. And I think that we've all gained from that. The energy and the passion that he brings into our community is outstanding and invaluable. Time and time again, I've seen him draw someone out of themselves by welcoming their warm them warmly and by making them smile. And there's that contribution that that we're honouring tonight. I think many [00:32:00] of you will know that we're losing him to Australia at the end of next week. Given everything that he has given to our community over the last 25 odd years, he is clearly going to be their gain and our loss. I know that I'll miss you a lot, Hamish, As a co conspirator in making things happen, but also as a very close and much loved friend. You're an amazing human and an inspiring excuse me [00:32:30] and selfless, warm man who's so deserving of tonight's recognition on behalf of everyone in our community. Thank you for everything. You go with our love and our best wishes. One final word. If I may, Um, I'm going to I'm moving [00:33:00] to Australia to, um, create another space for us. Um, it's a space that's got a legacy of many, many years. It's called Turtle Cove, Lisbon and Gay Beach Resort. I'm going there to, um, to help ensure that it's here for the next generation. So I hope you I issue you all a challenge to come to be a part of there and, um, to celebrate our our wonderful rainbow community. And if you want to do anything, uh, for me, you'll continue to love each other, be kind to each other, to be there [00:33:30] for the people who who feel different so that they can feel a part of as a recovering drug addict and someone who came from a very isolated part of our community. I think it's important that, um, we we don't live in isolation. So anything we can do to connect is, um is what I think is what I'm going anyway. I'm off by come to thank you, Hamish and Martin. There's many reasons [00:34:00] why I don't wear makeup, but, uh, this is a big reason. Um, Steve Muffin from Ivy Bar. Where are you? I saw you somewhere. Steve, could you come up, please? Come on, darling. A little quicker. Hi, guys. If you don't know me, I'm Steve from bar one of the owners and managers down there. Um, tonight, [00:34:30] it's a great honour for me to be nominating, uh, Lee from NZAF. Yeah, the chair. Um, he's a bit of religion. He works entirely for our community and his role as a community engagement officer. Um, he always goes above and beyond his role, especially helping us at Ivy Bar. He's always nagging and [00:35:00] nagging. I think if he had his way our entire wall to be posted floor to ceiling, he's absolutely passionate about making a difference in, um, promoting safe sex in our community and, um, dispelling the stigma around HIV within the community and the wider region. Uh, stars like this in the community need to be recognised. And it's a great thing for tonight. Thank you, Jack, for organising this. Um, I'm very proud on behalf [00:35:30] of Ivy Bar to make this nomination for Lee and thank you from my staff, myself and our amazing customers. I'm wining. It's easy with a wig on, you know, really? To be honest, let me know. What, that down a bit? Um, I don't say really, but, um, [00:36:00] I've never, ever been involved with such a strong community. In all my life, I've seen a lot of communities, but this just blows me out of the water. So you should, uh, give yourselves a round of applause because you are all you know, You're you're fantastic. So that's what makes me love what I do. And I'll be there as much as I can. And you're my family. A lot of you are, or it feels like that anyway. So So thank you. Thank you very much. Thank [00:36:30] you, Lee. Thank you, Steven. Uh, I. I nominated someone two people, actually, uh, under the guise of a social group called Paris. That's some of you may know it's pretty much a, uh, a bunch of lushes who meet once a month. To be honest, um, [00:37:00] and and it's, you know, I know that some people have hooked up through it and you know, there's there's been some good times. Um, yeah, and I've said it does have a strong following on Facebook. 400 likes. I go with it. Uh, a fairly strong following who turn up at 5. 30 on a Friday afternoon after work and don't go home until sometime in the weekend. Um, but I believe it's doing good. I believe [00:37:30] that. And I believe the other two people who are doing good. Uh, Scott Kennedy and Malcolm Vaugh, also known as Scottie, and me. No, I know Scottie's here, and where's Mel and Mel's over there. It's not often we [00:38:00] see them in another bar. Well, perhaps down Cuba. I do know you a little. Well, I used to say It's not often I see you in daylight, but something's changed. Nah, I need to put glasses on here at this point. Do you know I've always wanted to play this role. You know, people said to me what role are you gonna play? Clare? I says no. The a man Dad is going to do it. What about the intelligence that Jack was doing? What are you gonna do? I said, look [00:38:30] pretty No. Then somebody said, Oh, you gotta be the straight man. And I said, Darling, I've been many things, but never been the straight. Never. Are you ready? I am. I got glasses for my 50th. Oh, they work. Scott and Mel have been long standing in Wellington's queer community, unlike some of their patrons. The couple who first met at Mr Gay New Zealand in 1992 have been together [00:39:00] for more than 23 years now. And we were married in Hawaii in 2003, and I remember that there was a, um, ZMZM nationwide competition. And I remember cheering you on in the car on my way to work. Having worked in the hospitality industry in many various wonderful bars over the years, including Caspers. Yeah, Edward Street. There, right across the road There, [00:39:30] the couple pulled their talents and opened their first venture together in 1999 known as the Dome, Piano and Garden Bar. Yeah, show your age gone. It's Oh, it's that Welsh one now, huh? Yeah, Yeah. It's the Welsh dragon. One that was dangerous, by the way. It was in the middle of the road. Yeah, OK, just saying Yeah, OK, This was followed a year later with their second venture Pound [00:40:00] Yes, in the heart of the city on Dixon Street. Their latest venture is S and MS Bar in Cuba. Street up the road well past Samantha Horn. But you know, not far, Scottie and Mel have welcomed many of us to to Wellington as old friends. Hello, darling, is a greeting. Pretty much everybody gets is into the bar. It's because you can't remember the names, but, um, they have provided a home away from home for many just wanting the company of queer in a convivial [00:40:30] atmosphere or just a per, to be honest, some of them. But, you know, we spot them. They've been long term supporters of the LYC Condom campaign campaign and gather donations for women's refuge in their annual Christmas collection. Yes, love them being the queer local hosting after parties for musicals, that was a good gig. Or putting lonely lesbians in touch with locals when I've been at these polari things occasionally [00:41:00] Get a little message saying, Where are you, doll? I've got a one to send down to you. Send them on. Come on. We take them all. Scottie and Mel have made an outstanding contribution to the capital's queer social scene in so many ways to the guys, [00:41:30] it a honour question. Uh, you get your turn in a couple of minutes. Hey, look, it's, um it's it's like being at the Oscars. Honestly, when you come here and you look around, there's so many fabulous people and, um and and the whole thing is really, really funny, you know, You you you know, Jack and and and, um all the wonderful people that put this together tonight, they send you a, um, an invitation going. Hey, listen, we really want you to present an award on the night [00:42:00] of the of the awards and we're going. That'll be great. The next minute you get a another one from them. I'm saying, we don't need you to present awards. You've been nominated, you know? So it's it's really cool, but they never tell you you've been nominated whether you're gonna win or not. so you So you don't write an acceptance speech and you just sit in the audience sitting there waiting, waiting, waiting, and then they name somebody else and you look at her and go Smart, smart, fabulous, bitch. No, but the truth is, you know, and it and it's, um [00:42:30] you look back and and I I just wanna I wanna I really wanna cover this point for all of you young ones that haven't been around and you're all doing extremely, extremely well. Schools are all of these organisations I remember being back here. It's a long time since I've been personally back in this area and right across the road here was Casper's and right next door was for the fabulous Lee and James over here used to be Cactus Jacks. This used to be Edward Street Cafe ESC Cafe, and right upstairs was the escape nightclub, OK, [00:43:00] this was a gay area, and I suppose it's a little bit of like, um, you know, in San Fran, this is where we all came. We all knew that we were welcome in this area, and each one of these all around here looked after us. They were back in the days. Well, before, uh, no. Sorry. After, um, people like Bill Logan got there, got the day, the gay task force going made everything that's possible for us today happen. And there's there's so many so many of of, um, little groups [00:43:30] that have sprung up since then. But it all started with people like Bill Logan. And I really think if there was a Supreme Award, that's where it should be going tonight. People like Bill Logan, mate. So let's give them a round applause. We're just a small bar. We don't intend to be anything other than a welcoming space for everybody. And, uh, yeah, we do get a lot of straights drinking in our bar. And my attitude is, this is [00:44:00] a gay LGBTI Q space. Straight people are more than welcome. My attitude and Scott's attitude is that the more straight people that get in there if they don't like it, there's the all fuck off. You walked in it and and if you are there, I'm not gonna turn you away, either, because you support us each and every one of us, and that's what we're doing. And that's what you're all doing these days is changing people's attitudes about people [00:44:30] like us. We're not to be fed. We're just fucking normal. It's really fantastic. Thank you, Thank you, Jack, for putting this together. And I can only say that this is going to get bigger and better every year. Just like out in the square is now changing over to out in the park. It's going to be dynamic. I watch people and we sit behind the bar. We just do our thing and mind our own business and watch what's going on. But there's so [00:45:00] many. How would you know? You do two bottles of wine a night. We watch, and we see so many amazing people doing so many amazing things to make this our community bigger, better and stronger and just carry on doing that work. Don't all think that we're all old and we need to go away and park ourselves somewhere because we are all still fighting. And [00:45:30] all of you young ones that are doing this nowadays are carrying on that fight. The fight ain't over yet. Let's keep it going. Keep up the good work, keep it strong and let's have a fucking fantastic time on Saturday. Down at, uh, out in the park? No, thanks. Nothing more to be said. Ah, they've been behind some of my greatest nights in town [00:46:00] and some of my worst. Yes. Yeah. There you go. Um, can I just say that there were There are many people involved in organising tonight, and there was a, um, an advisory group of, uh, representatives from different community groups who who came together and thought about the concept and how how they wanted it to run and how we wanted it to be for Wellington. And one of the key things around that [00:46:30] was that it's not about, um, finalists and winners. It was about whoever the groups chose to name would be recognised. So there's when I was doing a little research on it that is so different. There's nowhere else doing that. So you just want to acknowledge the people who helped, um, develop tonight? Do you remember Cassie? Can I ask Cassie Harten Thorp and Ian Anderson to the stage, please, On behalf [00:47:00] of Queer Avenger? Yeah. Is he in here? Are you good? Thanks, everyone, for tolerating me getting on the stage again. Um, so the queer Avengers we started in in response to some gay bashings. That happened in 2011 that took place against members of our community. A handful of us organised a protest march called Queer the [00:47:30] Night, which brought together a few 100 people who said no to homophobia and transphobia in our streets and our schools, our homes and our communities. From there, a group started up committed to having and taking action on the ground and on the streets to say that we're here. We're queer, and we're not going away. I think that the Queer Avengers served as a home for many of us misfits and radicals [00:48:00] who wanted more than tolerance more than the pink dollar and more than capitalism that that that will always let in some of us but will mostly keep a lot of us out. Rather than thanking our members tonight, we want to thank some of the people that we had the absolute privilege and honour to work alongside. So, um uh, CO isn't isn't here tonight. Um, you [00:48:30] know, she's cool. Uh, so someone else is gonna come up and accept it, but, uh is not here. Um, but, uh, she's, uh, contributed to her skills of, uh, organising and D Jing to events including box events. Homosexual, uh, the Queer Avengers beyond conference Clit fest 2013. And during the day, she works as a chef for Wellington Soup Kitchen. Uh, she recently helped form Carver [00:49:00] Club, which is a Wellington based forum for Maori and Pacifica creatives. Uh, while as I said often avoids the limelight, she has a true passion for people, uh, who face hard times a respect for those who break the mould and works away tirelessly for the community. She's a part of, um, so I cannot see any of [00:49:30] my, uh my name is, uh, just wanted. So she asked me to accept the word on her behalf because she's not here. Um, so this is word for word from Facebook. Um, so she says, uh, right. I've written my speech and you must read it word for word, or I will be very, very, very sad. Overcome with grief. I'm not fucking cool, rich, skinny, pretty or white. Nor do I want to be [00:50:00] bewildered by this proclamation. At my eighties gig, I thought I had cancer because everyone was being so nice. I still hate people. Hence why My true friend Kavika is accepting this award. Isn't he pretty? I'm infatuated, LOL. I joked to God, I joke to cope. Thank you, Queer Avengers in particular. And Ian, for not being mean to me or ever judging me and accepting me for who I am and seeing past my deception. Thank you, Herbie, For the opportunity to be part of kava club. I'm only accepting this [00:50:30] award on behalf of all losers like myself. And poverty is a capitalist crime. End of speech. A next I'd like to invite onto the stage. Huby Badley, [00:51:00] take the long way. Herbie is a curator at Te Papa. Yeah, exactly. I have. He is a curator te papa and supporter of the arts with a passion for fostering spaces for queer and Pacific voices. He has a background in working with young people and he is always there to youth in their work. Herbie recently helped form cover club, which is a Wellington based forum for Maori and [00:51:30] Pacifica creatives. Herbie does an amazing job of bringing Pacifica peoples from across the whole ocean together with his mana articulacy humility and talent for organising events. Thank you, Herbie. No. And the last person I'd like to welcome onto the stage [00:52:00] is I see you hiding Recognised you from Amazing Speech earlier is a founding member of box events, which is for local alphabet communities with a focus on people of colour, Pacifica, indigeneity and decolonization. She played a major role in organising [00:52:30] events such as homosexual and inclusive hip hop event and fundraiser for some, some more victim support She has served on the Wellington City Pacific Advisory Group. Helped to have the very first Pacific at LGBTI Q FA float at Auckland Pride and plays a key role in the new newly founded Carver Club as well. Faul is a tireless and humble contributor to every community that she is a part of and is always there to support any local project, whether it's showing up [00:53:00] to helping out on the ground or dropping off a big pot of she has a true talent for bringing people together, speaking up for those who don't get hurt and creating homes for people, especially those who are left out of the mainstream LGBTI Q communities. Thank you. Yeah, [00:53:30] I've said heaps, but, um, already but Thank you, Cassie. And thank you, everyone. Thank you, Herbert. Thank you, Leilani. Who is not here, but it's really funny. Yeah, just thank you. Oh, did I not get me? Me? I just wanted a fin. Um, not a fin. Um, I wanted to thank um you know, um, my fellow queer Avengers, um, you [00:54:00] know, the importance of activism in our communities, as we all know in the past 50 years is really important. Um, and I'd like to acknowledge, you know, that, um, there's still a lot of work to do, I think within our Pacific communities, there's still, you know, many, many island nations that it's still illegal to be gay or trans. Um, you know, there's eight of them. So, you know, once those communities feel the strength to actually take on those systems that are in place, um, you know, it'd be good to have the support. And I know people like Cassie who is one of my heroes [00:54:30] as well as Ian, um, would be, you know, alongside on it as well. Um, but yeah, that's about it. I wrote a really eloquent speech for you all, but I left it at work but, um, I will read it to you over the phone. OK, thank you. Yeah. Herbie is a member of the Wellington City Council Pacific [00:55:00] Advisory Group. The PG and, um, has a role tonight in, um in honouring the person that the Pacific Advisory Group has, um, wanted to recognise in this way. Thank you, Jack. Thank you, Jack, for organising this as well as I mentioned earlier, I left a very eloquent she loves sweet shit. Um, I would just really, really like to, um just to give a, um, insight [00:55:30] into Wellington Council Pacific Advisory Group. Um, for the first time, we have three, rainbow, um, advisors on our committee, which is a big achievement, Um, as well. And I wish that I stand here not only representing them, but also our wider Wellington City Council or as well, um, this person that I've nominated as, um, been a really huge influence on my life. I don't know if they know that or not, but when I was really 17 and a young little punk, um, growing up in the valley, [00:56:00] I met this person. Um, and he really sparked it off for me and honestly, this person has done a lot for the mental health communities, for our health communities, for our arts communities. Um, for our Pacific communities as well and as well as our Pacific LGBT Q communities. Um, there's there's so much more to say about what this man has achieved. Um, in in this community as well. What What's that? [00:56:30] Is that a long, um, he's had an amazing journey. Um, like I said, he's not only probably he's influenced my life, but he's probably influenced many, many within the Pacific Ocean as well. Um, I think you know who I'm talking about. At this stage. We could all stand up and give a round of our we could all stand up for [00:57:00] Oh, my You know, my my work, uh, three minutes does not justify You have enough time to really honour the work that you have done in all our communities. Um, you know, as I said on the Pacific Advisory Board, as the unofficial advisor, I am putting forward and everyone chaired and agreed in support of you. [00:57:30] Thank you so much for everything and big honour to you. Um God, I'll tell you. Can I just say that when Jack rang me, I said earlier that I was, um couldn't have the heart to turn it down, but in effect, what it was I was right in the middle of arranging my sister who's a lesbian's [00:58:00] funeral, and, um and I thought it was just timely that, uh, I should be here to just to honour all the lesbians and all the gays and and intersex and all the young people, because she died, um, in Australia. And I was, uh, organising our family. Her body to be brought back was escorted by my sisters and her partner of 20 years, Margaret. So, uh, this award to people I like [00:58:30] to honour my sister, who passed away, but also to the Pacific advisory community. But really, can I just say for all those people who have died, all of us who have died and they live? And if all of us who are living right now but especially for the young people in the future, may journey be safe and full of love and absolute enjoyment. [00:59:00] Thanks, Susie. Thank you, Herbie. Yeah, you are. I say, What's that? What be And [00:59:30] hm? We need a break because we need to do a little bit. That's up here. Um, we're having another short break. We said it was a an evening of three halves. So there is one more section after the short break, and we have another performer, so please help yourself at the bar and pay for it. Um, [01:00:00] good to see you. Thank you. To the to the troops from Meow. They're a fantastic job for us tonight as well. So we'll be back in another five minutes, so please go refresh yourself. There should be some food coming out as well. So check out for that is too too.
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