This Saturday is Wellington’s most fabulous free glbti event, Out in the Square – a place where you can celebrate being who you are, and this year enjoy live music from Anika Moa and mark the passage of our marriage equality law. We love Out in the Square for so many reasons, here are some: One of the Gay and Lesbian Fair founders Des Smith The history This event has been running since 1986! We’re talking the year Europe’s The Final Countdown came out! We love all the community work that has gone into keeping it running for almost three decades, from being Wellington’s Gay and Lesbian Fair to Out in the Square. Historically the Gay and Lesbian Fair was set up to raise awareness about homosexuality and to build support for Homosexual Law Reform, which was then before the New Zealand Parliament. Today it supports all communities to come together and celebrate our diversity being visible in a fun, friendly, and open manner – it’s still important. The entertainment The free entertainment at the Civic Square event includes talented locals, drag queens and kings, comedians, and circus performers on stage for your entertainment. This year is extra-special, with lesbian mum and much-loved Kiwi muso Anika Moa leading the line-up. If you have kids, hopefully they will be in for a treat as Anika has just put out a super-fun album for youngsters. And you know, she has a fair few brilliant songs for the adults to her name too. The stalls Out in the Square features more than 60 stalls selling anything from clothing and jewellery, crafts and books, to toys and electronics, and anything in between. You can also pick up a bite to eat with scrumptious food available, delicious drinks, and much more. The community One of the most exciting things about events like Out in the Square is being in an uber-friendly place where you know you are surrounded by others from your community – and of course this makes for fun people and fab outfit watching. Celebrating marriage equality This year the event is all about being “a fair for a fair law’, and is all about celebrating marriage equality, which is fitting considering all the work that went in from Wellingtonians. So grab your husband/wife, or the person you’d like to marry, and get ready to celebrate the year love won out. The after parties Not only is there an official after party on the Sunday, there is also a pool party straight after Saturday’s Out in the Square, where you can vie for the title of Wellington’s fastest queer swimmer, or just lounge around and enjoy the BBQ. Sunday night brings the massive Wild Jungle After Party which sounds like it’s going to be one of the biggest glbti nights of the year in the capital! Dress up to win prizes! The details: Out in the Square Civic Square Saturday 18 January, 11AM-5PM Free Entry Pool Party Saturday 18 January, 7PM-9PM Thorndon Summer Pool, Murphy St Entry just $5 at the door Wild Jungle After Party Sunday 19 January, from 9PM James Smith Basement Tickets here GayNZ.com staff - 13th January 2014