The Hero Marching Boys A wide range of aspects and cultures of the glbti communities will be represented in the Pride Parade, ac cording to organiser Jonathan Smith. Registrations closed early, on Friday morning, after the number of floats went slightly over the limit of forty set by the parade organisation and bodies such as the Auckland Council. Smith estimates just over 1,200 people will be involved in the parade, representing such groups as Bears, youth, HIV positive men, Religious and political organisations, gay venues, health promotion organisations, and the uniformed services. The Downunder Marching Boys will be a very visible element of the parade, says Smith, "and there's even a group called the Waiheke Island Rainbow Coalition!" "It's a really broad representation of our communities, Smith says, though he sounds a little sad when he pauses after being asked if the Dykes on Bikes, who used to lead off the Hero Parades will be involved. "No," he says.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 20th January 2013 - 3:02pm