Last night's ‘Kiss-In' protest at Christchurch's Grumpy Mole Saloon was a successful event, with many women dancing and kissing on the dance floor, with no trouble from staff or security. Pro-pashing protest co-organiser Rachel says around 25 people showed up to get involved - mostly women, but there were quite a few men there also. “It was very peaceful. The bar had obviously planned on our arrival, and they behaved impeccably. I think they'd been warned that they'd need to behave themselves,” explains Rachel. “Quite a few women had a dance on the dance floor and a snog. It lasted for an hour; everyone started going in at 9.30pm, and we were all pretty much gone by 10.30pm, when the bar starts to fill up”. The protest was planned as part of community outcry over eighteen-year-olds Lynda Boyd and Steph Hansen being told to “get the f... out” by a security staff member at The Grumpy Mole after sharing a same-sex kiss on the dancefloor. Rachel says she's pleased the event was allowed to happen. “As a community we have to be ever vigilant,” she says. “We can't just rest on our laurels and think we're safe all the time. This situation is a reminder that there are those out there who do not accept us. We need to send them a message, be it with 30 people, or 300 people.” Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 17th February 2007 - 12:00pm