Hulse (l) looks on as Mayor Len Brown cuts the ribbon to start the parade Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says she is absolutely thrilled with this evening's Pride Parade, describing the parade participants and the glbti communities as some of the city's "special people." Dancing in the VIP area wearing a silver lame cape emblazoned with an Auckland City logo, Hulse said the parade, which receives considerable funding from the council, had created a "gorgeous feeling." "It's been a wonderful way to celebrate some of the many special peoples who mean so much to the city," she said. Hulse echoed statements made by Mayor Len Brown at the ribbon cutting ceremony which launched the parade into Auckland's gay heartland, saying she believed the Auckland Pride Festival must continue being part of the city's annual events and that she is committed to maintaining council support. Brown himself looked comfortable amongst the mainly glbti crowd in the VIP area and occasionally acknowledged calls of "We love you Len!" from amongst the VIPs and the crowd on the street.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 22nd February 2014 - 9:44pm