Pride co-chair David Coltman addresses the crowd The presence of glbti youth, people still coming out and the memories of those lost to the gay communities were evoked at this morning's dawn ceremony which kicked off Auckland's Pride Festival. Held under the pohutukawas of inner-city Okahu Bay and attended by over 100 people, the 7am ceremony included performances by the Taka Maori group, Chainey Nathan and speeches by event organiser Mika and Pride co-chair David Coltman. The Festival is an opportunity "for Auckland’s rainbow community to share and celebrate our unique culture," Coltman said, adding that the "fun" element is also important. "We also have as a community an amazing talent and diversity that we want to share. For those newly identifying with the rainbow community having a sense of hope, of fun, and of future can not be underestimated." Taka Maori perform Coltman also highlighted the increased presence of youth and Pacifica-focussed elements in this year's Festival which includes just over seventy events. "This year our Parade and Festival events have a stronger representation of youth. We have more Pacific perspectives. And, uniquely we celebrate and shout out our takataapui cultures. We have more shows, more events and more activities for you to enjoy," he said. Acknowledging the work of those who created previous glbti festivals in Auckland, Coltman said the Pride Festival "builds on the work of many from our community. Some of whom are no longer with us. Their dreams and hopes however live on in us all and our festival – haere, haere, haere a tu ra." The first entertainment event of the Festival, which runs until Sunday 23rd, is the Mika Aroha Mardi Gras at Legend bar tonight, followed by the Auckland Pride Gala at Q Theatre tomorrow night.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News
First published: Thursday, 6th February 2014 - 8:07am