Len Brown at the opening of last year's Pride Parade Auckland’s embattled mayor and the man who gave the infamous ‘Big Gay Rainbow’ speech are among the politicians who will pour into the Big Gay Out in Auckland this afternoon. Len Brown has confirmed he will attend, and is sure to be hoping for a warmer welcome than he’s received at recent public appearances where he’s been castigated over his affair and hotel freebies and upgrades. Brown has been a solid supporter of Auckland Pride Festival since its inception. Also representing Auckland Council will be the ever-lgbti friendly Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, who has today congratulated the Pride team on all its hard work. “Proud to celebrate our Rainbow community over the next few weeks,” she says, adding: “Heroes out west next Sunday!” Hulse is a proud westie and long-time support of West Auckland lesbian events. What might John Key do at the Big Gay Out this year? The Auckland-based National MP who gave the infamous ‘Big Gay Rainbow’ speech during the marriage equality debate Maurice Williamson will be part of his party’s contingent at the event. It's not clear whether he will address the crowd. Prime Minister John Key will speak, on the back of an announcement from his Minister of Youth Affairs Nikki Kaye that the Government will make $55,000 in funding available to help strengthen services available to lgbti youth. Auckland Pride Festival champion Kaye is also expected to attend, as is openly-lesbian National MP Claudette Hauiti. Labour always has a strong contingent Labour will have its usual strong contingent of representatives, flanking its leader David Cunliffe who this morning tweeted a picture of a rainbow and wrote “Sochi Olympics on TV today. Nah, reckon I'll go with pride to Auckland's Big Gay Out instead :-)” The party will have a stall in the marketplace where the public is welcome to chat to MPs and party representatives about issues, including the party’s planned rainbow policy heading into the election. They range from sorting out glaring transgender issues to addressing bullying in schools and ending discrimination at school events. Jan Logie and Kevin Hague are welcoming people to chat about issues they care about The Green Party’s rainbow MPs Kevin Hague and Jan Logie will once again be at the Big Gay Out and are welcoming anyone who wants to talk to them to do so. “As your Rainbow Green representatives in parliament, Kevin Hague and I want to hear about the issues that affect you and your communities,” Logie says. “If you are going to be at Auckland's Big Gay Out this Sunday, you will have the opportunity to meet us both there face to face.” Logie says to ask for them at the Green Party stall. “We'll also be at various upcoming Pride festival events including the Pride Parade in Auckland, along with other Green Party members and supporters who are marching.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 9th February 2014 - 10:45am