The fourth annual Great Auckland Central Hero Debate takes place on Monday, and finger-on-the-pulse media commentator Russell Brown is looking forward to another verbal bout with Rainbow Labour MP's and a couple of well-known gay speakers. “It's actually just really fun to be part of,” says Brown. “And as a speaker, a gay - or gay-friendly - audience will always give you full value for your jokes. They'll laugh like drains, especially if the jokes are dirty.” Brown joins newly Civil Unioned MP Chris Carter and NZ AIDS Foundation Chairperson Jeremy Lambert arguing for the negative – with the moot point being a quote from gay icon Oscar Wilde: “that wickedness is a myth invented by good people to account for the curious attractiveness of others”. Brown's team was defeated in last year's debate – or were they? “Well, quite frankly, I thought we ‘won' last year, but if there's to be some sort of affirmative-action programme to help Stephen Gray with his self-esteem issues, then so be it,” he laughs. Gray's ‘affirmative' team will also include MP's Lianne Dalziel and Charles Chauvel, with Auckland Central Labour MP Judith Tizard as chair, and Buckwheat, Ross Thorby and Dame Catherine Tizard deciding the winning tam. Limited seats are still available on the door. Cost is $25 for theatre-style seating, or $250 for a table of four cabaret-style, including your first bottle of Kim Crawford wine and snacks. The HERO Debate 2007: 6.30pm entertainment and refreshments, 7.30pm debate begins. Monday 19th February at the Opera Factory, 7 Eden Street, Newmarket. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 17th February 2007 - 12:00pm