With gay-friendliness in the mayor's office being an issue for Auckland's gay and lesbian population it's perhaps appropriate that the first public forum of Queen City Mayoral candidates has been orgaised by the gay community. The Gay Auckland Business Association has gathered together Banks, Hubbard and Fletcher for a public discussion next Wednesday September 8 at the Sheraton Hotel ballroom. Incumbent John Banks is widely known for his public antagonism of gays, his strident claims that giving equal legal rights to NZ gays would lead to men in frocks being allowed to join the police force still rings in the ears of many glbt folk. Ex-Mayor Christine Fletcher is widely known for her gay-friendliness and support for gay issues, having attended many gay functions over the years. Another proven gay-friendly mayoral candidate, Western Bays (read: Gay Lynn, Herne Bay and other inner-city suburbs) Community Board member Bruce Hucker has bowed out of the mayoral race. The latest entrant, cereal entrepreneur Dick Hubberd appears to hold liberal social views though has yet to address glbt issues publicly. The ticket-only debate will give glbt folk an opportunity to put their questions to all three current candidates, tickets can be booked through the GABA website, http://www.gaba.org.nz/
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 1st September 2004 - 12:00pm