Tight economic times have led to the most recent Queen of the Whole Universe pageant operating at a loss, but the charities which had hoped to receive shares of the proceeds remain supportive of the event. Raising awareness: QWU's stars Established as a major HIV awareness and fundraising event in Auckland over five years the show was this year attempted for the first time in Wellington. Producer and concept creator Jonathan Smith of Eventimento says money owed by long-time Gold sponsor Team Madison, now in receivership, has not been forthcoming and ticket sales were "slightly" lower than anticipated. He says significant costs associated with transporting cast and staging also meant the show was running on a tight budget. Smith had been aware for several months before opening night that there might not be a profit available after the first Wellington performance, "but we decided to continue, knowing we would need to accept any loss through Eventimento. It was important for so many reasons that Queen of the Whole Universe opened in Wellington." Smith says many of the less tangible, "but still vitally important," objectives of the pageant were achieved, including lifting HIV positive people’s self-esteem, self-worth and confidence; increasing the profile of the charities - Body Positive, Positive Women and the NZAF's Positive Health services - chosen this year; and establishment of the QWU concept in Wellington. Positive Women's Jane Brunning says it would have been nice to have had the money "but raising awareness is important and they did a really great show." Body Positive Auckland says the loss reflects "the current economic times." It says it will adjust its "extremely tight" budgets accordingly and wishes Smith and the pageant well for next year. "The Queen of the Whole Universe pageant in Wellington was staged in difficult economic times but would like congratulate and thank Eventimento, the cast and crew for a spectacular show," says Simon Harger-Forde, NZAF Director of HIV Prevention and Communications. "While the show did not result in a donation this time, the NZAF is very supportive of the positive and creative celebration of gender and sexual diversity that is Queen of the Whole Universe." Smith says the Wellington- and Auckland-based members of the QWU team worked together well and says this bodes well for the future. He hopes the bring the spectacular show back to Wellington for the OutGames and to also stage a version at the time of the Rugby World Cup in 2011.The Queen of the Whole Universe pageant series has resulted in donations totaling over $140,000 to HIV-related charities.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 6th July 2009 - 2:48pm