Sat 21 Feb 2015 In: Our Communities View at Wayback View at NDHA
Tonight the Auckland Pride Parade found its mojo. Pride year one was a learning process. The Auckland glbti community had to re-learn all the lessons forgotten since the days of the epic Hero parades... which themselves took a couple of years to hit their straps. It was therefore careful and cautious, testing the waters and careful not to shock the ratepayers who largely funded it through the council. It is worth remembering at this point that Auckland's predecessor to Pride, the Hero festivals, parties and parades never received a cent of public money. Thankfully the mega dance party scene was then riding a global wave of popularity so the Hero parades were able to be largely funded out of profits made by the parties. The main problem with the first Pride parade as that it was a daytime and publicly-funded event. Daylight, that council- and family-friendly time of the day, sucks the life out of anything sensuous, glamorous or outrageous. It was a nice parade. But did we want to settle for nice? Last year the start time was pushed back so the sun would set as the parade got under way. Good idea but most of those parading didn't really understand how to light up the night and so the opportunity for drama and adult-style pizzaz was squandered. This year The Pride Parade was an absolute stunner. A simple ribbon cutting and not too long ceremonials and with the sun going down it was off. There was colour and vitality, earnestness and inclusiveness. Social, gender and life issues were raised with a just-right blend of dignity and joy. In a move of massive symbolism the police finally broke through the barrier of their own internal reticence and joined the other uniformed services, including St John Ambulance, en masse and in full uniform. The protesters who broke through the barricades to draw attention to issues faced by trans people in the justice and corrections systems for some reason targeted the police instead of Corrections staff marching behind. The marching police, including police dogs and mounted officers, kept their dignity and the parade went on to wild cheers from the crowded footpaths. Mainstream businesses joined in in gay-affirming ways, there were surfers, rugby players, historians, phone counsellors, and drag queens for Africa. Glbti people of every kind strutted their stuff and as the sky darkened the big guns of the parade rumbled down Ponsonby Road with pumping music, dazzling costumes, upbeat choreography, compelling singers, spectacular lighting effects, video extravaganzas and fireballs. It was inclusive, spectacular, respectful, saucy, embracing and glbti-themed night-time fun for all kinds of families of all ages and outlooks. To the organisers, the council and other funders, to the designers, the crews, the performers and the stars, thank you for a totally memorable celebration of the spirit which resides within every glbti person in the land, even those who have yet to acknowledge or release that spirit. To misquote Buffy and Bimbo, tonight was "fun with a purpose." Tonight, on Ponsonby Road, Auckland you led us through a night of indisputable Pride. And the results of your hard work, creativity and dedication shone as a beacon to those who have yet to understand or embrace their inner Pride. - Jay Bennie [Footnote, I have amended my writing regarding the opening ceremonials, a comment it contained was based on the cheerful observation of a Maori friend in the crowd and in retrospect I was not the right person to voice that observation. But on reflection this morning, after the euphoria and tiredness of working on coverage of the event have both subsided somewhat, the entire opening ceremony was crisp, to the point and just right and the simple waiata in particular was beautifully delivered. My apologies for getting that wrong. - Jay Bennie] Jay Bennie - 21st February 2015