In this podcast Max Tweedie talks about becoming the new Director of Auckland Pride. This interview was recorded a month prior to Max starting in the role on 24 June 2019.
Summary
In this podcast episode, Max Tweedie discusses their recent appointment as the new Director of Auckland Pride and shares excitement about leading the operational aspects of the Auckland Pride Festival. Having been intensely involved in community work within rainbow communities, they bring passion and experience to the role. The position encompases responsibilities like funding, media relations, planning, and securing sponsorships—all critical components that contribute to the success of the festival.
Tweedie reflects on the 2019 Auckland Pride Festival's grassroots approach which resonated personal visions of pride, celebrating diversity within the rainbow community. They express a commitment to uphold this vision, empowering and showcasing the community's artists and activists. For Tweedie, pride is rooted in political activism and challenges heteronormative structures, celebrating the unique qualities of queer identity and the community’s contributions to society. It represents both an acknowledgment of progress and a rallying cry for future advancement.
Addressing a recent division within the community over the Pride parade, they advocate for engaging in values-based discussions to explore shared queer experiences and foster unity. Tweedie aims to navigate beyond the details that have previously obscured larger community goals, planning to facilitate in-depth conversations to capture a collective vision for future festivals.
Responding to inquiries about past controversies, they stress the importance of looking forward and ensuring the festival represents the community. Tweedie discusses the additional challenges, including engaging with Rainbow Pride Auckland, which has announced plans to host a Pride parade, and ensuring that their actions align with the wider community's best interests.
When it comes to corporate sponsorship and participation, Tweedie suggests corporations engage with the community in meaningful ways, citing Spark's support for OUTLine NZ and ASB Bank’s sponsorship of Rainbow Youth as ideal examples. They endorse corporations investing in community growth over purely transactional relationships.
Regarding the police's presence at the parade in uniform, Tweedie notes personal support for the board's decision for police to march in plain attire and anticipates constructive future discussions with the New Zealand Police on this topic.
Reflecting on the previous year's grassroots march as a replacement for the usual parade, Tweedie recalls the event as a powerful expression of the queer community's roots, combining acknowledgment of progress with advocacy for continued advancement, particularly for trans, non-binary, and intersex communities.
Looking ahead to the 2020 festival, Tweedie envisions a successful event as one that celebrates achievements, diversity, and activism. They plan to create a space that honors pioneers, supports artistic expression in the queer community, and provides a platform for addressing ongoing rights issues, such as banning conversion therapy and advancing legal protections for trans and intersex individuals.
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Tags
2010s, aotearoa new zealand, asb bank, auckland, auckland pride festival, auckland pride festival (2019), auckland pride festival (2020), corporate sponsorship, heteronormativity, intersex, max tweedie, non-binary, outline nz, police, pride parade (auckland), queer, rainbow pride auckland, rainbow youth, spark, stonewall riots (1969), trans, transgender, uniform, wellington
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