With the iconic annual Big Gay Out just over a week away, once again 10,000 people are expected to head to Auckland’s Coyle Park for a day full of celebration and entertainment. This year the event kick starts the Ending HIV campaign and the NZAF team have a few surprises in store for those attending. It’s all hands on deck at this point but everything feels very under control,” says Jason Myers, who is looking forward to his first Big Gay Out as Executive Director of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. “We’re looking forward to a stunning day of entertainment, dancing, sunshine and celebration with our rainbow community, their friends and family.” Having just launched the Ending HIV campaign Myers says the NZAF team are “getting super excited about bring Ending HIV to life at the Big Gay Out”. “The dance zone will return as the Stay Safe Summer Bang with a *big* surprise planned. The team from NZAF Burnett Centre will be on site providing free rapid tests, and we have a bunch of passionate community members who’ve volunteered to educate about our aspirational message of ending HIV. “It’s a great opportunity to kick-start such a significant social movement.” In November it was revealed that the organisation has had to borrow money to help cover the services it provides as the number of those infected with HIV rises. Myers says however that the Big Gay Out is mostly self-funded through fundraising efforts to secure sponsorships, community grants and donations. He says “Very little Ministry of Health funding is used to pay for this event. As it is an iconic event for the NZAF and the community we will continue to do our best to make it sustainable into the future.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 3rd February 2017 - 5:19pm