Dogs have been a part of camp life at Vinegar Hill for three decades Feedback is being sought from Vinegar Hill campers ahead of negotiations with Manawatu District Council, over whether dogs are allowed at the site this year. Under a Council bylaw, dogs are technically not allowed at the popular riverside lgbti camping spot between Labour Weekend and Easter. However this has not been enforced for the past 30 years, and it’s a tradition among many lgbti campers bring their dogs along with them to the annual Christmas and New Year gathering. Campers are simply asked to make sure their pet is controlled and they deal with any messes. Any issues have been dealt with within the camp. The Council has now indicated it will start enforcing the bylaw, apparently after a complaint from one camper. One of the former Queens of Vinegar Hill Dion Leslie says this is expected to have “a huge impact on the attendance and overall experience”. He has posted a survey to the Vinegar Hill Facebook group on the issue, and is also asking people to write letters to be submitted (they can be emailed to dion@nztbs.co.nz). Many people are already saying they would be less likely to attend if they can’t take dogs, with comments such as “for many gay people … our dogs are our family, they are our fur children.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 13th October 2014 - 8:29am