More than 15,000 people came out for Auckland’s Big Gay Out on Sunday, the largest crowd in its history. Police have confirmed the estimation from organisers. The New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s social marketing programme Get It On! runs the event, which doubles as a celebration of the diverse community and an opportunity for Get It On! to share its HIV prevention messaging: Love Your Condom. Pic thanks to Andrea Spokesman Joe Rich says it was fantastic to see so many out and proud people enjoying themselves. “By all accounts this was the biggest, gayest and best Big Gay Out ever. We couldn’t be happier with how things went. The weather turned on its charm, the crowds just kept coming, and everybody really got stuck into the spirit of it. “Thanks must also go to the dozens of amazing Get It On! volunteers who pitched in to help yesterday. This is a community event and we couldn’t have run it without them.” This year the Big Gay Out is part of the Auckland Pride Festival and the Get It On! message will continue to be shared in a float in the Auckland Pride Parade this coming weekend. The NZAF is also the key sponsor for the Pride Remembrance Float. Rich says the design of the Get It On! float is being kept top secret until the day. “We think the crowd is going to be wowed by what we’ve got in store. Our float will be a continuation of celebrating community spirit and our ‘Love Your Condom’ message, we can’t wait for you to see it.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 12th February 2013 - 9:50am