Wed 16 Feb 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
It was a sight which brought traffic to a standstill on K' Rd: a bunch of hairy men in dresses and heels sprinting down the street with wigs flying and fake bosoms bouncing. Bear Drag began with a Drag Race right through the heart of Auckland's gay district, which was such a sight a bus full of passengers was halted by its driver to watch the bizarre sight. The event is one of the many highlights of Get It On! Bear Week, a highly-popular event in its second year which also includes the Tri-Nations dance party, an Underbear party and the Mr Urge Bear contest. Matt Creamer from the New Zealand AIDs Foundation, which is sponsoring the event through its Get It On! initiative, opened Bear Drag at Kamo by asking for a good clean race. "Have an amazing week," he told the gathered bear packs, many of whom have travelled from overseas for the week. Competitors were then given 15 minutes to be made into a unique form of beautiful by their friends, many of whom were handy with lipstick and mascara. The drag-clad bears then gathered for the race from Kamo to Caluzzi, prompting beeps of support from passing motorists as they waited for the pedestrian light to turn green. Caluzzi provided dinner, while the entertainment was left in the hands of the new troupe of Urge Bear Divas. Tonight's Bear Week event is the UnderBear party at Urge from 9pm, with $10 tickets sold at the door on a first come, first served basis.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 16th February 2011 - 11:28am