Thu 14 Oct 2010 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Kerry Prendergast Rainbow Wellington is paying tribute to outgoing Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, while welcoming Celia Wade-Brown as someone likely to continue the ccouncil's recent record of support and inclusiveness. The Green Party member's incredibly narrow victory over Kerry Prendergast was announced yesterday, after the special votes were counted. Rainbow Wellington chair Tony Simpson is praising and thanking Prendergast for her positive and encouraging support over the last three mayoral terms. "Ms Prendergast has been Rainbow Wellington's patron over that period and has always been very helpful and publicly up front about her support, making the Council Chambers available, for instance, for the annual meeting of the group and on more than one occasion staging social events to celebrate the gay and lesbian contribution to the city's diversity." Rainbow Wellington chair Tony Simpson recalls in particular her role in officiating as celebrant at the civil union of long term gay rights activists Des Smith and John Jolliffe, which he says became" a general and very colourful celebration of the passage of the Civil Unions Act in which Kerry enthusiastically joined". Celia Wade-Brown Simpson says the group welcomes the election of Wade-Brown and looks forward to a similarly positive relationship with her. "I anticipate that at our regular board meeting next week we will be inviting Celia to become our civic patron. "The Greens have a solid record as long term supporters of human rights generally and gay rights in particular and we are sure that the new Mayor and generally left-leaning council will continue to celebrate gay and lesbian life as significant contributors to the diversity and vibrancy of Wellington city."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 14th October 2010 - 3:09pm