4.50PM: The Get It On Big Gay Out is continuing in an atmosphere of fun and laughter now that the political speeches are after and the event nears the appearance of its main entertainment acts. Manthyng and Zowie are slated to appear shortly and already a sizeable crowd is dancing at the foot of the main stage. Amongst the dancers Ricky, a gay man in his early 20s, says he has been drinking "since this morning and this is the best party of the year so far!" Tickets to the Melissa Etheridge concert have been won in a scratch talent contest with one of the winners, a Tauranga lesbian named Natalie, proving especially popular with the crowd. Current MC Miss Ribena has advised the hard core of the crowd to "call in sick" tomorrow. At the other end of the park the stalls and food concessions report a great afternoon. One food stall operator who regularly works at many events says she is amazed at how polite people are at the BGO compared to the other events. GayNZ.com Daily News is filing regular live reports throughout the afternoon from the Big Gay Out. Photos from the park will begin to be progressively posted on this site from early this evening. You can discuss this New Zealand gay community news story in the GayNZ.com Forum.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 12th February 2012 - 4:54pm