The New Zealand AIDS Foundation is providing substantial support to an up-coming Wellington street festival celebrating gay, lesbian and transgender people. The street party Gorgeous is planned for the afternoon of Saturday 19 February at Manners Mall. NZAF Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier says the Foundation is providing support through funding, staff time, and performers becauee it believes the event will help build support and counter stigma for the gay community in Wellington She says the Foundation's health-promotion model clearly shows that when communities are made stronger through pride, visibility, inclusion and acceptance, the members of those communities have better health outcomes. The Foundation says its involvement is consistent with its support of similar events in other centres, such as Auckland's Big Gay Out on 13 February. The festival will include performers, live bands, DJs, comedians, stalls, and activities. “[It's] Wellington's answer to Hero, a style of event that has been lacking in the capital in recent years,” says Le Mesurier.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 24th January 2005 - 12:00pm