What a wonderful start we have had to the Christchurch Pride festival. With five days gone there’s still six days filled with a great mixture of events for the rainbow community. We were blessed to have had a selection of the ‘New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilts’ on loan from the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, such a creative and positive memorial to those who died and a testament to the community love and support. We feel blessed that we were able to show case them at our opening night as part of the Christchurch Pride Art Show, along with pieces from the local LGBT community, from many bold and talented artists. This year we have tried to reach out to different groups and bring them together, so far there has been a great diversity of events from: bears pool party, coffee groups, Mystery Bus Trips, Agenda ‘T’ party (a celebration of our trans identity), men’s and women’s dance parties, along with Q-Topia family fun day and more. Events to give the Christchurch community a chance to try new things, meet new people, find a support group and spend time with family. The rest of this week brings some great excitement, come along and support Queer Youth Group Q-topia, as Aunty Pipi and Meryl Vale host the ever popular Gay bingo, balls drop at 7.00pm, with heaps of fantastic prizes, it should be an epic night. Christchurch Pride Festival are also pleased to be teaming up with University of Canterbury as part of their diversity week, for an Outdoor Film Screening: PRIDE. Grab a blanket and join us under the stars to watch the 2014 movie “Pride” showing on an inflatable outdoor screen. In association with the UCSA and ENSOC. This is a free event. LYC and Christchurch Pride together are super excited to bring Christchurch the best party of the year, HOMOPALOOZA! Let’s celebrate Pride 2015 at Winnie Bagoes City, fabulous drag shows, and fresh from Wellington and Auckland Pride, the super-hot DJ Jordan Eskra. The Pride Committee hope the people of Christchurch enjoy the festival and I would like to take a moment to Quote one of the valued committee members who I believe sums it up perfectly: Akira Le Fevre: What a fantastic start to Chch Pride! I've met some truly amazing people over the first three days, people who I've seen grow from quiet youth group members who are now strong talented artists, people who have been cut off from family and looking for support, people wanting to become involved in the community to make it safer and more accepting and people only new to the Christchurch from a country where it's still illegal to be homosexual. This is what Chch Pride is all about, not just parties and rainbows but connecting and reconnecting people of all genders, identities, ages, races and religions. Ka pai Christchurch! #chchpride. All our events are listed on our webpage and Christchurch Pride Facebook page. Jill Stevens, Christchurch Pride Chair - 18th March 2015
Credit: Jill Stevens, Christchurch Pride Chair
First published: Wednesday, 18th March 2015 - 8:23am