Tue 9 Aug 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Kirsten Sibbit The Auckland Pride Festival Board is standing by the process by which a new board member was recently appointed and refuting a claim there is a conflict of interest relating to her serving on an Auckland Council advisory panel. Phylesha Brown-Acton, who herself only recently departed the seven-member board, has also slammed trans-advocate and event management educator Lexie Matheson for what she claims are “racist” attitudes. Matheson herself addressed those allegations earlier today. Kirsten Sibbet, Ak Pride co-chair, says “we do not believe there is a conflict between Lexie Matheson's roles as both a Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel member and an Auckland Pride Festival Board member. The Panel is advisory and has no direct or indirect control over Council or [its events funding arm] ATEED." She says ATEED's funds, some of which are provided for the mounting of the Auckland Pride Parade, are allocated according to a independent and objective application process. Sibbet has also explained the process by which Matheson, an advocate for trans rights, was appointed. "Our process for seeking new Board members was to open up the roles for application. Since the 2016 Festival, we have done this twice with a small number of applicants each time. Board members are open to meet or talk with anyone who has an interest in Pride and is considering applying. Applicants were then interviewed by two members of the Board who made a recommendation to other Board members as to the person's suitability for the Board, what that person will bring to the Board going forward and their desire to serve the rainbow communities in this role.” GayNZ.com understands from another source that the board is concerned no suitable or available Maori or Pasifika person came forward for the recent vacancy but it has been suggested that the new arrangements whereby specialist area sub-committees will draw their membership from the wider glbti communities might attract a more representative participation.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 9th August 2016 - 2:44pm