File Photo Seven Sharp has conducted a social experiment to see whether or not the New Zealand public is ‘100% OK’ with public displays of affection by gay couples – and appears to have found it’s far from it. When she looked at doing a story about the campaign asking people to state they are 100% OK with glbti people being who they are, reporter Gill Higgins wanted to see whether the project was truly necessary. The first hurdle was finding three same-sex couples who were comfortable showing affection in public, and on camera. Even a widespread search through community contacts and social media was sluggish. “It took a very, very long time,” Higgins says. “We had two or three bites, but when it actually came down to it they all pulled out.” They eventually found two couples, including a lesbian pair in Matakohe in Northland, and OUTLine boss Trevor Easton and his partner. Gay Seven Sharp Supervising Producer Jonathan Williams and an actor made up the third couple – Williams took part after trying and failing to get coupled-up friends, and even singles ones, to take part. He says none were comfortable “being that gay on TV”. The Seven Sharp crew covertly filmed the three pairs showing affection on the street, and footage of the reaction of people walking by – who they then spoke to, to see how they felt about it. As a completely gay-friendly straight woman, Higgins was convinced there wouldn’t be any reaction, and is clearly surprised by the results. “I can’t believe that it’s still a problem,” she says. Without giving too much away before the segment airs, the reporter says while there wasn’t any overt negative reaction, aside from a couple of shouted comments on the street, the conversations they had with passers-by afterwards were different. “There was still quite strong feeling and strong opinion against gay relationships, which I just, yeah - it does stun me that that’s still the case.” Williams thinks people will be surprised, and Higgins says they should be. “I hope that they’re taken aback because everyone should be equal and it’s crazy that such a simple little thing can provoke a reaction in someone.” Williams adds: “And that they think it’s actually any of their business.” As an out, adult, confident gay man, Williams found taking part in the experiment interesting, pointing out that if he was out on K’ Rd on a Saturday night in such a situation it would be “all on”, but kissing a guy in a suburb in the middle of the day is quite a different experience. “There were times when we were sitting on a bench and making out, and you know that feeling you have when where you can’t see anything, but you just feel a little bit awkward and you know people are looking and you don’t feel a hundred per cent safe? It was that kind of feeling of ‘I’ve just got to have my wits about me for a couple of minutes, just to make sure I’m ok’.” The making out on the bench was at the far more intense end of the PDA filmed, and designed to provoke a response. Higgins says she understands that some people don’t like PDA full stop, no matter who is showing it. It was the response to simple hand holding which has left her flabbergasted. “It wouldn’t even clock at all if I wanted to walk down the street holding my partner’s hand. And yet to think that some people feel reluctant to hold someone’s hand - is completely crazy.” The segment airs on Seven Sharp tonight – 7PM, TV ONE.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 20th June 2014 - 8:53am