Wed 27 Jan 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
No Pride in Prisons, the trans rights protest group, has welcomed the Auckland Pride Festival's decision to disallow the Department of Corrections as an entity from taking part in the forthcoming Pride Parade. No Pride In Prisons protesters meet opposition after gatecrashing last year's Ak Pride Parade. (Pic: Andrea/GayNZ.com) Corrections today advised GayNZ.com Daily News that pride had stipulated that Corrections staff can march in the parade but must not wear their uniforms or represent the organisation. Corrections is unhappy with this restriction and says it hopes to discuss the matter with Pride. However, Emilie Rakete of No Pride In Prisons says Pride's decision "is clearly the right thing to do and we're really glad they they have recognised that Corrections as a violent institution is not our friend. It's just a symbolic victory though, as it doesn't undo the years of violence done to trans people by the criminal justice system in this country. But we're pleased about it, it's a good place to start working." Yesterday Rakete said No Pride in Prisons had expectations of being consulted before a final decision was made. She says as late as yesterday she was in discussion with a Pride contact about meeting. With the decision now being made public she says the situation is "interesting... if they made the right decision without speaking to us then I guess that is good." She says the protest group is eager to see what the situation will be regarding Pride placing similar restrictions on the police presence in the parade. "It will be pretty concerning if they don't treat them the same way... there's nothing that Corrections does that the police don't do, they're about as bad as each other." GayNZ.com Daily News is seeking clarification from Pride on matters relating to the decision on Corrections and the current situation regarding the Police.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 27th January 2016 - 2:37pm