The first LGBTI writers festival, which took place over the weekend in Auckland, was deemed a success by organiser Peter Wells, however he says he hopes to work closer with Pride in the future to prevent programme clashes. Witi Ihimaera and Paul Diamond. Photo thanks to Studio Guidon Wells says the Samesame but Different Festival was an inaugural festival and such was testing new territory but a very loyal and devoted audience grew over the weekend. “We had many plaudits and the most common comment was people asking us to 'please please' continue next year,” he says. “Overall the whole weekend was like a quilt of LGBTQI experiences and everyone spoke so personally and with candour that it built up a powerful momentum of its own. “We are not used to truth and this has its own power.” Wells says while many people may be turned off by a festival such as this is, thinking it is about about books and is ‘educational’, “In fact it is a festival of ideas in which we look at our own experiences in depth, but through humour and honesty,” he says. “It is about the pith of being LGBTQI. We need more thinking about who we are and where we are, and where we are going, to sit alongside frivolous subjects like the 'Great Debate' whose subject was 'Big is Better'. Smut is fun but as beneficial for the body as a french fry.” With the opening gala taking place at the same time as the Great Pride Debate and a Valentine’s Day Brunch clashing with the Big Gay Out, Wells says in the future he looks forward to working with Pride “so they actually coordinate festival events better”. “So there are not so many obvious clashes and there is better sharing of information earlier, as well as an available time chart that everyone can look at, in a glance, and see what is on where,” he says, admitting; “It was all a bit chaotic for my taste - but I am hoping Pride keeps the same people as, above all, arts organisation need continuity of personnel and experience in putting on events.” With a programme full of talented and recognised New Zealand writers, Wells says his standout session over the weekend was “Witi Ihimaera talking in depth with broadcaster Paul Diamond on his journey from being a straight married Maori man with children to being out and gay and a highly visible author - and how this played out against a conservative macho Maori world. “He spoke intimately, candidly and with power,” says Wells, “It ended with his mother, who is a Morman, saying Witi would go to hell - but she would come down to hell and find him - and take him to a safe place. Moving.” All sessions during the festival have been recorded by PrideNZ.com and will be available as podcasts, so people who couldn't attend can listen to every session. GayNZ.com will keep you updated when these become available.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 15th February 2016 - 3:22pm