Audio from the opening of the Wellington International Pride Parade. Note the small amount of audio distortion on the recording was due to the PA system distorting at the event.
Summary
The Wellington International Pride Parade commenced in a celebratory atmosphere, with central Tennyson Street in Wellington bustling with excitement and festivity. The opening event, recorded on March 10, 2018, encapsulated the essence of the LGBTQ+ community's vibrancy and solidarity.
The recording features prominent figures from the LGBTQ+ community and allies, commencing with Spanky Jackson’s heartfelt welcome back to Wellington and call for recognition of the event's sponsors who made the parade possible. Acknowledgments were extended to Wellington City Council, Mayor Justin Lester, and a plethora of contributors who helped bring the parade to life. Jackson’s warm introduction set the tone for the evening, alongside a burst of appreciation for community members and supporters in attendance.
Throughout the parade opening, each speaker delivered poignant messages reflecting the different colors of the rainbow flag, symbolizing the diversity and unity of the LGBTQ+ community. Georgina Beyer, a respected transgender figure, humorously and earnestly cut the pink ribbon, representing sex and self-realization. The attendees were reminded that the event was both a celebration of freedom and diversity and a time to be 'out' and 'proud'.
Gareth Farr, embodying both their identities as Gareth and drag persona Lilith LaCroix, gave an impassioned speech in red - the color signifying love and the struggles through bloodshed. Farr urged the audience to combat homophobia through visibility and fearless expression.
Lady Tranise Bonet acknowledged their roots in the Wellington community and stressed the importance of safe sex and regular testing, highlighting an ongoing commitment to HIV awareness.
Labour MP Louisa Wall, wearing yellow, evoked the sunlight – a symbol of emerging from darkness into enlightenment, while committing to the remembrance and honoring of activists such as Carmen Rupe. Wall emphasized the importance of an inclusive and supportive environment, and the necessity of acknowledging the journey the LGBTQ+ community has traveled, alongside the work ahead.
Jan Logie, representing the Green Party, wore green to represent nature and harmony. Logie addressed recent tensions within the community and underscored the pride each individual should feel for who they are, reinforcing the overarching theme of acceptance and unity.
Jaye Glam Morgan, a leading figure in the LGBTQ+ fashion scene, donned blue to represent serenity and peace. Morgan dedicated their speech to the memory of trans relatives who had passed away, acknowledging the importance of remembrance during times of celebration.
Labour MP Grant Robertson reflected upon the journey of the LGBTQ+ community, gave homage to predecessors, and spoke on advocacy, particularly for trans rights. Robertson’s speech emphasized the need for continued progress and the honor of our shared history.
Bringing the series of dedications to a close, Wellington Mayor Justin Lester spoke to the city's pride in hosting the event and highlighted the role of municipal support in fostering an inclusive and diverse community. With an air of solidarity, Lester formally declared the Wellington International Pride Parade open.
The parade opening was a testament to the vibrant fabric of Wellington's LGBTQ+ community. The recording, while marred by some audio distortion from the PA system, preserves a thoughtful and joyous commencement of the Wellington International Pride Parade, encapsulating a reflection on progress made, challenges faced, and the collective joy within the community.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
Voices
Tags
2010s, amanduh la whore, aotearoa new zealand, australia, bisexual, carmen rupe, dana de milo, drag, gareth farr, gay, georgina beyer, grant robertson, homophobia, homosexual law reform, intersex, jan logie, jaye glam morgan, justin lester, karakia, lady tranise bonet, lesbian, lilith lacroix, louisa wall, love, marriage equality, melbourne, pound nightclub, pride parade, pride parade (wellington), rainbow flag, rainbow ribbon, robert muldoon, ruth richardson, safe sex, scotty and mal's cocktail bar, sex, shelley te waiariki howard, spanky jackson, takatāpui, tee wineera, tennyson street, trans, transgender, tīwhanawhana, visibility, wellington, wellington city council
Tags (computer generated)
acceptance, ancestors, arts, auckland, bear, blood, cats, change, cinema, collaboration, collective, collective action, community, council, crown, data, david, diversity, energy, entertainment, equality, family, fear, fire, french, fun, gender, gods, green party, hair, hell, homosexual, hope, hotel, identity, job, karate, knowledge, korea, ladies, lgbt, marriage, marriage equality, mirror, nature, news, opportunity, other, otter, pain, parade, parents, peace, people, queen, queer, queer theory, questioning, rainbow, remembrance, respect, sexuality, solidarity, support, suzanne tamaki, tamaki, teeth, tension, time, tolerance, top, toronto, tough, trust, understanding, visa, walking, we are who we are, wig, wisdom, work, worship, yellow