Wear A Badge For Us, Says Gay Liberation (Press, 20 July 1977)

On 20 July 1977, supporters of homosexual rights were set to gather at the Citizens’ War Memorial in Cathedral Square to commence Gay Pride Week. The event was organized by the Gay Liberation Front, which advocates that homosexuals represent an oppressed minority in society. A key theme of the gathering was to remember the historical persecution of homosexuals, particularly during the Nazi regime in World War II. The Gay Liberation Front spokesman, Mr M. Waghorne, articulated that over 100,000 homosexuals were exterminated by the Nazis in dedicated concentration camps. He drew parallels between the yellow star enforced on Jews and the pink triangle imposed on homosexuals, both used to identify and segregate these groups. Furthermore, Mr Waghorne referenced the solidarity demonstrated by Christian Danes who wore yellow stars as a stance against Nazi discrimination. In a similar spirit, participants in Christchurch were encouraged to wear pink triangles as a symbol of their opposition to discrimination against homosexuals. The gathering would also include a wreath-laying ceremony, with a religious minister invited to participate. Gay Pride Week was packed with various events aimed at promoting awareness and discussion around homosexual rights. On the following Tuesday, a public forum was scheduled to be held at the Horticultural Hall at 7.30 p.m., where representatives from multiple political parties and trade unions would join the conversation. Two additional forums were slated to take place later in the week—one at the University of Canterbury's Student Union Building at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and another in collaboration with the Socialist Action League on August 5. Additionally, a talk-back show discussing homosexuality was planned on local radio station 3ZB for Monday night from 10.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Social activities throughout the week included a ball and a film screening, all designed to foster community engagement and support for homosexual rights. The events aimed to encourage open dialogue and challenge societal discrimination, marking an important moment in the ongoing struggle for homosexual freedom and equality in New Zealand.

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