This year's Queen of the Whole Universe drag pageant in Auckland has raised nearly $24,000 for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Show director Jonathan Smith says the amount raised is a 75% increase on last year's event, despite a bigger cast, crew, venue and higher costs. It was also successful in helping to raise the profile of the AIDS Foundation at a time when HIV infections are on the increase, particularly in Auckland. Smith extended thank-yous to all involved with this year's show, including the cast, crew, sponsors, judges, guest performers, media and audience members. "I would like to make special mention of the act two girls who successfully lifted the standard this year," he says. "The audience was expecting this and so was I. We were not disappointed nor were the audience. As far as I am concerned they were all winners and did me, the community and the show proud." The Queen show will now be heading to England, where it will also help to benefit AIDS charities. Smith says he will return to New Zealand to direct a new show in 2007 as part of the AK07 arts festival.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 6th December 2005 - 12:00pm