Tamaki put this message on Twitter with the message: "A bit of nostalgic history right here..we pray for Georgina and friends" While Brian Tamaki himself wouldn’t comment on his attendance at Georgina Beyer’s tribute and fundraiser tonight, Beyer says she believes it could be the beginning of reconciliation with the glbt community. Attempts to question the Destiny Church leader about what his appearance at the Wellington event meant were ignored by Tamaki, then rebuffed by his host Jevan Goulter, who said “you can read about it in the Women’s Weekly”, as a deal has apparently been sewn up with the women’s magazine. During an interval Tamaki and his wife approached Beyer for a hug and photo opportunity which was managed by Goulter, who is friends with both the Tamakis and Beyer. There was some disquiet about the presence of the man who led the hateful anti civil union Enough is Enough campaign, and whispers and comments of confusion and annoyance clearly audible. This intensified when he ruffled feathers by refusing to get up and serve himself at the buffet and had to have his food brought to him. However during her speech Beyer tackled his presence head on, saying “at times we have to be adult enough to put aside the politics that divide us. We have to look to conciliation over things that happened in the past.” She punctuated this with: “At the end of the day we won,” a comment which received rousing applause. “But I will stand behind that man and his organisation in order that he should be able to practice the democracy we all rave about from time to time,” Beyer continued. “Even though I did not always accept, understand or comprehend some attitudes out there that occurred. So how you start to build that bridge, close that gap, you have to meet halfway and put the hand out. And Brian and Hannah I see that gesture from you tonight as a beginning of a reconciliation, between not only you and I as individuals, but between our communities, I hope.” Beyer said she wants anyone who felt offended that the Tamakis were going to attend to think again, “and grow up frankly”. She also joked about Tamaki's silence during the marriage equality campaign. "Where were you Brian? We were waiting! We were ready! You were very wise weren't you to stay out of that one! And of course the sky has not fallen in, and many thousands of people have been made much happier and fulfilled in their lives in being able to be people, and that's all we are." Tamaki has since written on Twitter: "our position on people has always bn Gracious..caring an respectful..we believe wat we believe.." in regards to Beyer. That's despite Tamaki refusing to acknowledge she was a woman for at least a decade.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 14th November 2013 - 11:36pm