The Dunedin City Council and community groups have stumped up with base funding to allow the city to have a Pride festival in April, and while they are on a roll organisers have launched a Pledge Me initiative to cover the remaining shortfall. On Saturday 6 April 2013 Dunedin Pride will begin in the Octagon from 1-4PM for a family-friendly community festival led by MC Samiam. “This will be a fun filled day featuring local and national bands, performances and loads of games and activities for all the kids,” say organisers Hahna Briggs and Beth Nathan. At 9PM a Pride After-Party will be hosted by Miss Ribena, and will feature local and national acts such as Manthyng, Bruce Tiffany and Count Blakula. Briggs says the Festival is about visibility for the Dunedin LGBTI-queer community and to provide a space to celebrate diversity. It welcomes all people of all genders and sexualities and aims to be as inclusive as possible. The event is being organised voluntarily by the Dunedin Pride Organising Committee co-ordinated by Briggs and Nathan, and with the help of many others. It’s received funding from the Dunedin City Council, Creative Communities Dunedin Scheme and the Otago Community Trust. Briggs says the groups have been very supportive. “Marilyn Anderson from the DCC Events team was very helpful and met with us on a number of occasions to give information and advice on our plans and funding application,” she says. “However we need more funding to cover the high costs of printing, advertising, promotion, sound equipment, performance and festival materials so we can reach as many people as possible.” A Pledge Me account has been set up here The Committee can be contacted via email dunedinpride@gmail.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 20th February 2013 - 11:51am