200 people gathered in Wellington tonight to stand in solidarity with those in Orlando and to be surrounded by community members. The somber event also provided a strong sense of hope and community, with the the key thread of the evening highlighting the “beautiful, powerful community” that we are. In the words of one speaker, “we have to keep on dancing”. Organiser Tabby Besley of InsideOUT says “There was definitely a need to have a space for people to come together and share their sadness and pain, but to be surrounded in support and know they weren't alone.” Speakers included Elizabeth Kerekere, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, US Ambassador Mark Gilbert, Labour MP Louisa Wall, Green MP Jan Logie, Labour MP Grant Robertson, a spokesperson from the Human Rights Commission and intersex advocate Mani Mitchell. The crowd also heard performances by Tiwhanawhana and The Glamaphones. Many members of the public stood to speak, from teenagers to a man in his 70’s, the speakers shared poems, prayer and song. Besley says “A young queer Muslim woman spoke powerfully about holding both those identities, but also about how fear is really real for a lot trans women in particular, in New Zealand, and reminded everyone that lots of people are still fighting these battles on a daily basis. “She also asked us all to reach out to those who weren't there - that sometimes the people who don't come to these things are the people who most need someone to check in with them.” After the vigil people were invited back to the NZPC office for food and hot drinks, with lots of people going along to chat, join in with Tiwhanawhana's practice and to feel part of the community.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 13th June 2016 - 10:19pm