No Pride in Prisons say that the Auckland Pride Board are failing in their responsibilities to the most marginalised within the LGBTI community, following yesterday’s announcement that Corrections will indeed be marching in this year’s parade. After agreeing to work with the GLBTI community on the way the New Zealand prison system treats transgender prisoners, Corrections has been told they will be allowed to march in the Auckland Pride Parade. Emmy Rākete of No Pride in Prisons says; “We talked to Pride and hoped they would understand their responsibilities to takatāpui and trans women, two groups of queers who overwhelmingly have their safety and bodily autonomy disregarded by Police and Corrections.” “Pride have capitulated shamefully to Corrections' vague promise that, at some point in the next 12 months, they will look at improving some of the most obviously violent conditions in prisons. Pride are getting ahead of themselves and absolutely failing in their responsibilities to the most marginalised within our community. She says, “We’ve been asked to be part of the community work with Corrections, but we feel this will serve only to reform things insofar as it does not interfere with the survival of the violent and racist programme of mass incarceration operating in this country. “We've recommended a trusted ally for inclusion on the committee to reiterate the policy changes No Pride In Prisons have been demanding since last year, but we're uninterested in pretending there's some finish line the prison system can edge past after which we should bedeck it with glitter and rainbow flags. Prisons are violence and No Pride In Prisons remain committed to their abolition.” No Pride in Prisons will be holding an anti-pride rally on the K’ Rd over bridge at 5.30pm on Saturday 20 February to coincide with the Auckland Pride Parade.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 11th February 2016 - 11:38am