The title of this recording is "Out in the carPark". It is described as: Participants, stall-holders and the public talk about attending the Love Parade and Out in the carPark in Wellington (2015). It was recorded in Wilson Parking (Ghuznee Street), 34-42 Ghuznee Street, Wellington on the 29th March 2015. This is a recording of an event and features, along with other unidentified speakers, the voices of Adrienne Girling, Alan Kwok, Amanduh la Whore, Angela Wells, Bev Berryman, Celia Wade-Brown, Chris Rogers, Clynton Payne, Conrad Johnston, Damian Strogen, Des Smith, Elizabeth Marshall, Ellen Faed, Emma Anderson, Georgina Beyer, Jan Logie, Jessie Scherf, John Jolliff, Karen Harris, Kay Jones, LaQuisha Redfern, Lee Eklund, Lesley Bola, Lilly Loudmouth, Maggie Shippam, Marcella de Tella, Neill Ballantyne, Paul Boland, Paul Rigby, Ron Irvine, Shelley Te Waiariki Howard, Stephanie Garvey, Sydney Lehman and Tohia Love. It also includes interviews conducted by Gareth Watkins. Their names are spelt correctly, but may appear incorrectly spelt later in the document. The duration of the recording is 1 hour and 22 minutes, but this may not reflect the actual length of the event. A list of correctly spelt content keywords and tags can be found at the end of this document. A brief description of the recording is: Participants, stall-holders and the public talk about attending the Love Parade and Out in the carPark. The content in the recording covers the decades 1970s through to the 2010s. A brief summary of the recording is: The document is an extensive transcript of the recording titled "Out in the carPark," captured during an event at Wilson Parking on Ghuznee Street, Wellington, recorded on 29th March 2015. It features numerous speakers and interviews by Gareth Watkins. The recording is a rich account of the Love Parade and Out in the carPark events, touching on the enthusiastic and vivid atmosphere as participants and the public celebrate queer community and diversity in Wellington from the 1970s to the 2010s. The narrative begins with Karen, a parade organizer, discussing the excitement and colorful environment as the parade is about to start. They reflect on a rescheduled date due to weather postponements and express hopes for good weather this time. Various community groups, including youth groups, unions, and LGBT sports groups, are mentioned, emphasizing the event's community-centric nature. The recording shifts to discuss the contrasting situation in Auckland where protests occurred over the inclusion of police and corrections staff in the pride parade. The speakers express that while their event in Wellington is different with a strong community and celebratory focus, it's unfortunate what transpired in Auckland, and that it sparks necessary dialogues about diversity and representation within organizations. One of the speakers, Adrian, highlights the significance of resurrecting the pride parade in Wellington after nearly 20 years, mentioning the combined efforts, hard work, and the joy of organizing such an event. The speakers included traffic marshals, volunteers, and individuals connected to the parade, discussing their motivations for participating, their experiences in pride parades, and the importance of these events in terms of visibility and community solidarity. The interviews encapsulate a variety of perspectives, including those who are new to the LGBT community, stressing the importance of inclusivity and celebrating diversity. The recording captures the vibrant costumes and participants' excitement, from striking feathered headpieces to traffic marshals and vivid drag attire, reflecting the spirit and inclusivity of the event. There's also a significant focus on the representation of different community groups and support organizations present, highlighting the interconnectedness and collaborative spirit within Wellington's queer community. Additionally, the recording touches on the impact of past and present issues, such as the 1985 homosexual law reform march, showcasing the progress made in New Zealand's journey toward acceptance and inclusivity, and the ongoing challenges faced by the rainbow community. The grass-roots feeling of the parade is evident as participants discuss their experiences, their reasons for celebration, and the communal strength displayed. The recording concludes with anticipation for the next big event, the Asia Pacific Out Games scheduled in Auckland, with the intention of fostering sportsmanship and further strengthening community ties. The full transcription of the recording begins:  So I'm Karen, one of the parade organisers, and I've organised this along with Adrian and the rest of the, um out in the park committee. We're currently in Civic Square, just getting ready for the parade to start. It'll be starting at 11. 30. So we've got a bit of time waiting for all the groups to arrive and lots of individuals as well. So we're all getting very excited. It's already looking very colourful, Um, and lots of high vis jackets, but lots of feathers and pink and fabulousness as well. Yeah, and we've actually got some sunshine because this has been postponed a couple of times, isn't it? Yeah. We originally were meant to have the parade in, uh, Valentine's Day. That's why it's partly called the Love Parade. But we did get winded off. And in Wellington wind, we couldn't put any of the tents up for the fair. So when we weren't unfortunately able to have the parade and everyone was very disappointed. So yeah, so this is our second run. It luckily so far, it's looking great. So we're hoping that the weather will keep for, um, the rest of the morning and tell me about some of the groups that are parading. Yeah, we've got, um, a number of groups, a lot of community groups. Um, with us this morning. Uh, so we have people like the, um, lesbian radio show. Um, lots of other. All the youth groups are coming out to meet us this morning. Um, so, uh, the teachers unions, uh, lots of yeah, some of the other union groups as well. A lot of the sports groups, um, the LGBT sports groups in Wellington. So we're really pleased to kind of have we want this to have a really community feel about it. So, um, we're really pleased that a lot of the groups have still been able to come along even on the rescheduled date. Do you have any comments about what happened at pride in Auckland? Where, Where There were some protesters about about having corrections and police staff marching. Yeah, we've, um obviously, we've talked about that a lot. Um, and obviously it's really unfortunate what What happened in Auckland. And it's created a lot of discussion. That probably does need to happen. I mean, we feel our event is quite different, because we, um we're very community focused. And so, um, our event is about the community creating a space for community groups. Uh, So, um, obviously, what happened in and, you know, has caused a lot of discussion for us, and it's obviously a really unfortunate event, and I think it's important that it is discussed systemically about what's happening. Um, in all of our organisations, really, and the different views about that. Um, but we're hoping that today we're really focusing on the Wellington community, Um, and especially the youth groups and things like that, and about all coming together and just celebrating the kind of queer community in Wellington. Really? Yeah, absolutely. There are a few hats flying around, but it's better than gazebos, which is what we had last time. My name is Adrian Girl, and I'm one of the parade coordinators, Um, along with Karen and together we are called Cadre. And, um, this is the first parade that we've had in Wellington in nearly 20 years, and so we just thought it was time to resurrect it. And so here we are, and unfortunately, we were rained out with in our original date in February. But we've come back together with Cuba and they're letting us open the whole Festival of Cuba this morning with the parade. So we're really, really excited. So what's it been like organising such a large parade? Um, it's been a lot of work. I would have to say, Um but so much fun. And Karen and I work really, really well together, and so we just give each other a lot of energy and love it, and we get to wear fabulous costumes and just meet a lot of people. So it's We've had a really good response to describe what you're wearing. Um I, a fabulous drag queen named Marcella, who is one of our sponsors from a N le me her headpiece that she had made in Bangkok. It kind of looks like a Brazilian carnival headpiece. It's purple feathers. Um, there's two pieces to it, and it's very heavy, but I love it. How is it going to stay on on this wind? I actually have no idea. That's a work in progress. So I am, and I'm being I'm a traffic marshal here so helping people cross the road when the parade gets to Manner mall and doing it because I love doing traffic and just helping people get across the road safely. So is this the first kind of pride parade that you've you've kind of marshalled for? Um, no, this is the second second one. Although I had mushed her out in the square last year. So just down on the ball down the on the, um, last year. So And then sold raffle tickets all last year as well. So what was working out in the square like last year? It was awesome. Actually, I really enjoyed the whole day. First person to arrive and then the last one to go. So that's how much I enjoyed it. What was the kind of vibe like, uh, it was a very good It was a very good vibe, actually. Like that different for someone who and not a not a gay gay person. It was. So it was interesting. Actually. There's a way to word it. Interesting. Hi. My name is Brian. Um, in front of us. We have some beautiful ladies. They are looking good today. And these three, are they going to be leading the parade? I actually have no idea. Potentially. I hope so. because they're working at. So, um what? What What brought you to volunteering here? Um well, to be honest, I'm just kind of passing through Wellington, And, uh, I heard about the parade, and, um, I always, you know, I like to be part of the pride the Pride Festival, because, you know, it's, uh I don't know, I, I guess. I. I like being a part of it. More so than just letting it pass by. It's kind of nice to be like within the community. I guess so. This is not the first pride parade you've been in Hell, no. Um I, uh, last summer, I was in the the Pride Festival in Toronto, which was, like, massive and really, really fun. Good times. Yeah. So can you describe, um, you know, why are pride festivals and pride parades so important? Yeah, um, I think that, um, especially for young people, it's, like, important, um, for them to see that it's accepted within, like, the community. And it's, uh, like a nice chance for people to gather and, like, celebrate who they are. Um, my name is to love, and, um, I'm friends with some of the organisers. and I'm part of the community. So I volunteered to give them a hand. And so, what are you doing in the in the print? Um, so I'm up the front with Karen. I'm leading the way. I've got a drum. So I'll be, um yeah, showing people where to go. And can you describe what you're wearing? Uh, sure. I've got a a sort of colonial style, uh, great coat and a sparkly hat. And a some kind of really noisy drum. Um, my name is Sydney Layman, and, um, I came out here today because I know Adrian, who's organising it. And it's also, um I guess finding my, um, inner ability to express myself on on this kind of level. It's something new. And we're also here with women's refuge. So, um yeah, lesbian visibility is one of the big tenants. So it's Yeah, it feels really important. Really cool thing to support. Is this, um, the first time you've been in a pride event? Yeah, for sure, for sure. I've only, um recently, I guess in the last six months, um started dating a woman, and so it's it's all quite new, but exciting and good and different, and Yeah, it's great. Um, I'm Stephanie. Gary, and I'm with women's Refuge, too. Um, I This is my first time in a, actually my second time in a pride event. But the last time I marched in Wellington was in, uh, 1985 during the, um, during the homosexual law reform bill. So it's something I've always been passionate about. Um, my grandmother was a lesbian. Um, I came out as a lesbian at a young age, and, um, yeah, um, but have just recently, I mean, gone back to dating women. So I've more of queer identify as queer. So it's something I can really get behind. Um, and it's just beautiful to see the community come together in such a beautiful day and to celebrate ourselves in all our unique diversity. And, um, I just I couldn't think of a better way to to be proud and to to um yeah, just unity, I guess. Yeah. So what was the feeling in 1985 when you marched? Um, it was more sombre. Um, yeah, it was. It was far more sombre. It was, um an overwhelming feeling of like, this is just absolutely the right thing to do. Um, the Unjust? Um, yeah, I guess behind it, there was, uh, yeah. The conviction of like this is absolutely wrong. This should not be happening in our country. So it's fantastic to see all the things that New Zealand has made. Like, if you look at the, um, the marriage act and, you know, and the strides we've made and and even even in contemporary culture how, um it's just so much more accepting, like I'm I'm lucky enough today, I work in an office with, um with 444 of us and three of us are gay. And that and it's it's actually, um, you know, the reverse of of a lot of other places that you usually work at or places where you feel like you need to hide a part of yourself. Yeah. Yeah. So do you guys have any thoughts on the, um, pride protests in Auckland recently? Where? Where people have been protesting against correction staff and police for for marching? Yeah. Um, I think it's sad. Yeah, I really think it's sad. Um, I think everyone should feel free to express themselves in in any way that you know, any way that I was very sorry to hear about the violence that happened up there? I mean, um, working for women's refuge. It's something we absolutely don't condone. Um, violence in any form. Um, so, yeah, we are looking for a peaceful, good time, and and it's about supporting and celebrate. It's about celebrating ourselves and all our unique diversity. So, yeah, it's just a shame that that happened. Yeah, Yeah. I mean, um, I don't I don't have a huge amount of comment to make on on the issue. Um, I haven't been following it. I sort of saw, um, a few things, but, um, yeah, just in. In regards to to what today is about. I think a lot of it is, um, you know. So I was looking for a flat recently, and, um and so I was going with my friends, and I was like, Oh, you know, I'm not really sure, because, um, me and my girlfriend might come and stay with me. She's living in Dunedin and, um, and I. I went to a flat viewing, and I was like, not really sure if I should even mention that with them and, um and my friend looks at me like once we left and I said, You know, I didn't really want to bring it up. And he's like, Come on, this is this is 2015 like if they've got a problem with it, then there's something seriously wrong with them. But and I do feel like we're getting that way that at least it's It's unpopular to have issue. But, um, yeah, it has been really surprising and exciting for me as kind of someone more on the on the recent coming out things. And I've expected a lot more resistance than I've had. Um, you know, telling a work colleague and I was quite nervous about it. And she was like, incredibly supportive and just like asking questions like I was telling her I was dating anyone, and that was that was really nice. That was really nice. So I think a lot of today is about being able to celebrate with our community that we have come quite a long way and like there's there's still a lot that needs to happen. But as a as a general, you know, in New Zealand, and especially in Wellington, there is an acceptance that I think is quite exciting. Um, yeah, and it's it's great to be a part of it. Well, we're on Civic Square on the fake grass in front of the city gallery, and, um, the photographer lined up the band, which is just ready to take part in the parade. And there's a group of amazing drag queens. They're not drag queens, they're goddesses. They're all about 7 ft tall, in full leaf white dresses where wearing wings. And there's a group with the sign of love, which I'll be carrying down. And they've just yelled, Yay! So we're here from marching down to out in the car park, which is the result of a, uh, a weather aborted event four weeks ago. We're now doing it on a lovely day, but it is windy, but we're here and Frank here, and I'm here and we're marching for different strokes. Wellington and Frank. What is different strokes. It's a swim team. It's a GL BT I and straight friendly um, swimming group and we we meet three times. We meet three times a week and we have a coach and it's a really good workout. And, uh, yeah, and and it's open to everyone where the beginners intermediate or expert swimmers, everyone's everyone's invited and your costumes in the parade. What? What are they going to be? Um, just start t-shirts that say, DS W. We're not all in costumes. We leave that to the drag. Yes or no to the drag diva. We don't call them queens. They're divas. And why is it important to to be in such bro? Well, I think it's important to show people visibility that gays and lesbians, trans, bi and intersex, are all part of the community. And and, um and we're just really blessed here in Wellington and New Zealand in general that we have a very progressive, open and, uh, welcoming culture that, uh doesn't discriminate. And it's just, uh um I'm just happy to be here, Paul. What do you think? It's important to to march, and, um Well, I've marched in one of the parade, which was the Mardi Gras in Sydney 20 years ago. And, um, it was the first time I'd ever thought about doing it, and it was such a euphoric experience for me. Uh, then I was, uh 20 years younger. Today, I'm an ageing new geriatric gay man. And, uh, I still march in the parade because Frank wanted me to. He's a young one, Frank from America. I'm from Australia. We've both adopted Wellington, which is a fantastic city which allows the and encourages these parades to happen. So why not participate in a city which offers so much to all its members? Uh, it's terribly inclusive, totally inclusive, Wellington and, um, and if we don't do it, no one might do it. So we're here, and our friends are going to turn up later. They're just late. Like most Kiwis. We're there in the early ones. My name is Freya, and I'm basically here. Well, because I want to be. Obviously, I'm a queer person myself. I said I'm also part of the fresh foodies group. Um, we're an online meet up group for gay people in Wellington. So yeah, it was just really about coming along supporting the community. Is this the first parade you've been in? It has, actually. Yeah, it's pretty exciting. Why are these kind of prays important? Um, these kind of prayers are important because you're really I. I feel like that on an everyday basis. You don't really see a lot of people who are out. And you don't really get to see, you know, your own community represented. And it's really important to have that represent representation for people to be able to see, you know, normal, everyday people, But also really fabulous people. Just having a lot of fun being themselves. Yeah. So do you have any comment on the protests that happened at the Auckland Pride parade? Um hm. Is this the one where John Key was booed? No. This is the one where there was a group of protesters that got onto the parade route and were protesting against that one. OK, I was about to say, John Key being booed because I was totally up my alley. But yeah, um, I'm not surprised that it happened. Um, that said, you know, the parade must go on. We're gonna have fun. We're gonna be out. We're gonna do what we have to do to, you know, make our community be comfortable with ourselves and be confident. Yeah. So what do you think? Some of the issues are for kind of rainbow people in New Zealand. in 2015. Um, in 2015. I feel like there is still a lot of internalised homophobia just in the general public. I mean, you still hear a lot of slurs said among young young people, Um, and a lot of older people still, you know, struggle to accept. Um, the gay community. I know that in my personal life, um, even my family sometimes can get things mixed up and confused, and it can be rather disheartening. Um, so I think you know, more acceptance. More knowledge, especially, is really important just to kind of address those sort of issues. So So what kind of confusions? I mean, what what what the older people kind of get confused about. OK, so I guess this is a personal anecdote. Um, but my mother is a doctor. And one time she came into my room and she actually said, um, so Frey I heard that black people don't exist. They actually are just lesbians in the closet. And I've actually heard that more than once from a family member, and it just was very shocking, and I had to just kind of talk to her about it, but Even now, I'm not sure she entirely gets it. My name's Kay Jones, and I'm having to choose which of the many queer, um, groups that I'm associated with to to march with today and it's, you know, it's challenging. Do I march without a PS? A. Do I march with the I'm choosing to march with the the queer People of faith in the the churches and religions because it's part of human rights. And I've been coming to these things and since the days when Des and Smith organised the gay and lesbian fear back in in Newtown and I can remember when it was needed for, um, queer visibility to actually change laws. And now it's needed to say, Hey, we're having fun and we're here and we're continuing to be queer. Do you have any comments about the the the protests that happened at the Pride parade in Auckland? Yeah, I think some people have forgotten that Pride has a history of protest and that for a young trans woman to be, they're saying she's really concerned about seeing corrections marching in uniform when there are still trans women and queer people in prisons being subjected to dreadful treatment. I think the way that the organisers did not respect that and didn't keep her safe, even if she was protesting is is totally reprehensible. And part of it is like what happened at the the march and part of it is how the media handle it. And I think there's still a really big, um failure to recognise that there are structural issues that need to be addressed. And I was really pleased to see that Kevin Hague and Jan Logie have had a bill. Um, no, not a bill. A petition that they're going to raise in parliament, talking for an inquiry into the treatment of intersex and transgender people because there are still so many failings. And so that was really, um, an issue that that's important now, I, I appreciate that many people marched in in the Pride march because, yes, they do want to show the community that are here, and there's really a lot of positivity. But, um, I was really sad that, um I didn't think there was enough, um, respect given to to the dissenting voices because that's the thing in a democracy, you need dissenting voices and you need to make sure that they've got the opportunity to speak. And even if the march had to go around them or or had to, um, sort of pause for a moment, that was not a big ask, actually handling somebody so badly that her arm got broken. No, it's not a good thing. My name is Jessie. She and I'm seeing a lot of wonderful people having good fun. They're all in costume. They look great. Very envious. At some of the high heels these guys are wearing, they just look amazing. They look wonderful. So W, which is your favourite costume so far Ah, I really like the the love, You know, both of the loves. And, uh, but I have to say these these, um especially that fellow there with a with a really high, um, gold shoes on. I think he's got amazing legs. He's beautiful. I'm as jealous as anything. It must be incredibly hard to walk in as well They are. Trust me. They are. I couldn't walk. I mean, that's what I walk in. But he's walking in stilettos, so yeah, yeah, it's great. It's really good to see. So So what brought you guys here today. We actually came to the market and saw all this happening, and so we've just sat down to enjoy it. Yeah, my my daughter's gay. I don't She's not here, but, um, I just I just love all this. I think it's great. Why do you think it's important to have such a kind of visible showing? I don't I don't know I. I think that the more out people are, the more we we are, have it amongst us. The more accepting. Some people may learn to become I, I guess. I. I hope that's what's happening because because they're just people and, um and you can learn a lot from them. They have to put up with a lot of garbage. So it's good that, you know, if they if they show a show of strength, that there's lots and lots of people out there who are gay, maybe people will learn. The people that need to learn will learn that it's OK, Yeah, that's what I think. I think it's amazing. I really love it. Yes, it's hard to believe I was talking to somebody down, down in the forecourt and they they had marched in the 1985 Homosexual Law Reform March and just the change in attitude in in society since 85. I know. Well, um, when they were talking about because my daughter's gay. But my son is, um, my eldest son, anyway, is very anti gay. He's, um, claims to be a Christian, And so it was really interesting at a few years ago when they were doing that march and my daughter and her friends were watching from a house and she said it was quite frightening all the hate that was out there and, um but it has changed, you know? I mean, when she was just a kid, long before she recognised that she was gay, or long before I recognised that she was gay, she'd go into a public toilet and and girls would bash her up. She'd be 12, you know, it was just horrific. But the worst damage that has ever been done to my daughter has been done by her own family. So, uh, you know, I just hope that when these people's families can see the solidarity that they're they, they're not hurting anybody. They're just being they're just being that maybe they'll come to an acceptance. No. Yeah, yeah. Uh, my name's Liam. I just come to support, um, the local community was going to go to the other event, but then obviously got council, so I'm glad that they're still going ahead. Yeah, it's just nice to be part of something like this in Wellington. So is this the first kind of pride event you've been to? And I've been to some in the UK, um, which was a slightly bigger scale, but, um, yeah, it's still nice to see, um, what people are doing here in Wellington as well. So So why are these things important? And I think it's good to show support. And, um, have your voices heard. Um, yeah, and to just show support for the community here. So So, um, when you've been to other events, have you been participating or just just watching on, um, no, not joining any parades or anything, because, um, they've been on a lot bigger scale. Maybe like music and things going on. Um, so, yeah, but not not like this. So this is different. Can you just tell me what you what? You can see in front of me. Um, lots of people dressed up lots of different colours and everyone looking pretty flamboyant, but yeah, it looks like it's going to be good. And your favourite person of it? Um, I don't know. Everyone looks like they've gone to town, to be honest. So all the all the beautiful drag queens looking in there pretty impressive. Must have got up pretty early this morning to get ready thing. We need to start our parade very shortly. We're gonna have a little from the organisers. What we're doing is, as you can see on the left hand side to me, we've got the New Zealand Police Department. Say hi to them. No, say it properly. Say hi to them people. Thank you so much. What they're gonna do is they're gonna coordinate our walk. So as we go across the road leaving from the Michael Fowler Centre, we're gonna cross that road. What's over here? I don't know what it's called. It's a big road, but the police are gonna stop people from running What? Wakefield Street. The police are gonna stop people from running all over us. Then we're gonna carry on straight up through the centre of Cuba Street. Do you all know this? Did you all get your email? Did you? Thank you. You've got to be responsive, please. Or else? Yeah, the lesbians did. They were the only ones that answered. Thank you so much to the lesbian community. We're gonna go from there straight up to the centre of Cuba Street where the umbrella is carry on Slowly. The people that are in the front are gonna be following Georgina Baer and, uh, one of our lead sponsors from the New Zealand from the A NZ. What? What does that stand for? Does anybody know Australia and New Zealand, is it? Oh, you're so clever. But, um, everyone's gonna follow Georgina Baer and Marella and everyone say hi to Dan from Bicycle Junction. He's provided their transport so they don't have to walk. Then I can I just ask Dan that you take it slowly goes slowly so that people can get visualised. Can we do that? OK, then we're gonna carry on up past the water fountain, and we're all going to the left hand. No, that's the right hand side here to the right hand side. Does anyone know where meta horn is it? Stay towards the meow horn side. Once we get to the very top of Guney Street, everyone is going to stop And all the girls that have got capes We all line off that all the girls that have got caps, we're all gonna line up and there's gonna be a media pitch on Gus Street. So as you're walking towards, um, Gas Street and there's a little laneway that'll let us get into the park as you're walking down Gas Street smile a lot and make as much noise as you possibly can on the way up. Does anybody have any questions? No rage. Hi, I'm Georgina Buyer. And I was kindly asked if I would, uh, please join this wonderful love parade to, uh, for as part of out in the square and oh, sorry. Out in the park car park, in fact, it's going to be today. And, um, it's just a nice way to be part of the community. And I'm, you know, really glad to be here. Can you describe what you're wearing? Oh, well, there is a, um, an ensemble of us who are depicting Grecian goddesses. and that's what we're wearing today. So I've got a beautiful, vivid blue cape and, um, a Grecian style dress on with a fabulous mirrored head dress. It's just incredible. Thank you so much. Cheers. We, uh we're about to start, but first, uh, we have Jen Logie from the Green Party here to say a few words before we get going. Good morning, Wellington. I've gotta say you look gorgeous. And today yes, you should know how can you miss that? And today is a day about love. This is the love parade. And it's about love for our community, love for ourselves and love for the beauty of diversity. And that when we come together and we see ourselves in all our variants and our everydayness and our extremeness and in our fabulousness then I think Wellington should be bowing down and saying Thank you. Quiz. You make this city beautiful. And I suspect we may be a slightly smaller group today than we would have been originally, but I believe we are perfectly formed. You look absolutely gorgeous. And I was on the parade the last one here in Wellington. I was 20 years ago, and so much has changed since then. Back then, I was in a black tutu with a leather collar, and now I'm a politician. The city has come a long way, and your gorgeousness just speaks to how far this country could still come in terms of acknowledging all our fabulousness and what that has to offer everyone. So I hope you all enjoy today, and I'm gonna enjoy being with us through the streets of Wellington showing off you. OK, so I'm gonna count us down, and we can start 9876. Bye we go. What we have here is the Wellington Queer Community coming together and celebrating the relocation of out in the Square to, um what is this year gonna be out in the car park? Uh, new And, uh, hopefully a new start for, um, for further inclusion and and celebration. So what? What can you see who's in front of us? Um, queer people. I'm not members of, uh, lesbians. Uh, we've got, um, uh, representatives of the, um, public service Association. There's, um I hope to see some military people later on, Uh, just a cross section cross sectional representation of pretty much Wellington's queer community. Uh, uniq just coming past now, Uniq is, um, the queer support group for you, Victoria University of Wellington. Um, and the students association Rainbow Pride for passing through now, uh, celebrating their community honours. Um, yeah, just to hold diversity. And of course, um, Lily loudmouth parading as a gorgeous self as well. So keep a little on, sweetheart. So tell me, what's it like to be in the parade? What's it like to be in a parade in this parade? It's very honourable to be in this parade, actually, because, like, you know, I would say in a lot of other places around New Zealand that there's a gay scene or there's a GL BT I scene. But in Wellington, there's a GL BT i community, and it's very tight. And as you can see, you know, everybody's just made an effort, and it's Yeah, yeah, very privileged. Very privileged to see you as well, my love. So can I ask you why you're marching? Uh, well, to celebrate diversity and queer culture, And, uh, you know, it's a great opportunity that the march is going on, uh, after it was postponed. And yeah, it's just great energy with Cooper. Cooper? Yeah, all the people. And so who are you representing? Who are we representing? The Lesbian community Radio programme, which is Sunday morning on radio. And Cree made this? Yeah, I wanted it to look like it come from the eighties. I don't want any screen printed banner cos it's a community programme. It's got no ads. Why would our banner look like an ad? Yeah, at least be DIY all the way. So, um, what do you think of the breed? Um, I think it's really colourful it. It's nice. It's nice to see all the people out. Yeah. Is this the first pro you've seen? No. I've been to quite a few in England. Yeah. Yeah. Why are they so important? Um, because it lets everybody know in the general community, Like how lots of people, whether they're gay or straight, um can come together and support equality and celebrate love. Yeah. Kind of exposes it to the wider community. Can you describe to me what you're seeing now? Um, pink balloons, gay pride, flags, people dressed in multiple colours or a unicorn? Lots of people. Kids, um, adults, old people, young people they all just come together. Yeah. Um, that's pretty good. Um, what's it like marching in the parade like this? I was just thinking that it was a really special thing to be doing in Wellington after so many years of not marching. Yeah, and Auckland get to march. So it's great that Wellington are marching. I think you missed all of that. Is this the first time you've marched? Yeah. Why do you think these kind of parades are important about visibility? And, um and just about, uh, being part of the Wellington community. Yeah, It was a pity that we didn't get to march in February, as you know, as part of our own fear, but it's good that we're still going ahead with it. Hey, guys. Hey. So I'm doing a little documentary about the pride parade. Um, can I interview you and just, uh, So what? What? What do you think of this? Um I think it's fantastic. It's wonderful. Everyone should be part of the Cuba fest. And it's great that they're involved and supported. And yay! Go the gay pride. Is this the first time you've seen a pride parade? Um, no. I've seen them occasionally when they have their out in the park or out in the Civic was the last one I went to. So what's the What's the vibe? Generally love LOVE love. It's a good vibe. It's the only thing that's just too little of it. Yes. Hi, Wellington. Hey, make some noise. Well, we finally did it and, um, played nice and we've got, um some blue skies blue skies da da da da What did you think would happen if you gave a drag queen a microphone? She gonna start singing? Um, so I'd like to welcome everyone, uh, to out in the car park. Yeah, the car park. Yeah, I was, um I was born in the 19 seventies, and I had some, like, real, like life moments in vans in a car park, you know? So this is like coming back to my nasty, nasty roots, you know? Of course, I'm talking about the roots of my hair because there are Children present, and this is a family event. Um, I'd like to thank all of my sisters. Um, hi, darling. What's your name? Lily. Loud mouth, darling. The one and only Lily love. Give it up for Lily. What's your name, dear? Be fabulous, girl. Beefy. Fabulous. Oh, look at you all. I love you. Actually, I love the attention, but that's close enough. Hi, darling. It's my best sister in the whole world. How are we feeling, Wellington? How is this, though? How is she though ya? You turn to the floor to yourselves. You are all sickening. Oh, my God. Oh, and it's Marcela the teller. My sister in crime from one of our sponsors. A NZ. She's come down from doing her balance sheet to hell. Hey, Marcella. Have thank you very much. And we've got cash over in our stand, which is just on the road. If you need cash, we've got facilities there. Um and it's wonderful to be here representing a NZ. And of course, we've got lots and lots of sponsors. And of course, this queen forgot to print her sponsor sheet out, so Oh, I know, girl, I know there's no disorganised like a drag queen. And finally, we've got Georgina Ban now. Georgina, you may not remember this. Who? Take a bow. Enjoy your attention, girl. You've earned that. Oh, my goodness. In a flat in Hamilton in the 19 nineties. You were You were staying there with Elena and Vicky. I don't know if you remember this and it it's OK. This is no secrets. No secrets. Please. What did I do? Well, I was doing drag for the first time, and I said, Georgina, do I need a wig? And you said yes. Oh, and look at what we've got here. Is that our mayor? Our fabulous mayor. Cecilia. Maybe she'd like to come up on the stage. Ray Brown, Everyone. I'm not sure what the honorific is. Your worship worship? Definitely. And, um, I understand you. You might like to say a few words to our fabulous audience. I'd love to welcome you all here. Um, everybody. And it's just wonderful to have the rainbow community in Wellington. I'm Wade Brown, So I wore brown. But you do all of the rest of the rainbow so well, awesome. And Cuba duper looks set to go off. And I love the combination. Maybe that rain came for a reason the other day. So, to all the gay, lesbian, transgender, intersex far and any other combination that we haven't even invented yet What have I missed. What am I in trouble for? Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! You add so much talent and colour and creativity to the capital. I am so proud that the Love Parade has arrived here in this amazing magical space. So I love the Lilo Library. I love the Rubi. I think you're absolutely awesome of all ages and a million and one genders. Kiara, Everybody. Thank you. You don't really have to do the worship, but it's OK, really. But don't you like it just a little bit? And Georgian? Would you like to say a few words as well? Thank you. Yes, I would. You know what? 40 odd years ago when I used to do the streets around here, just one block over. I never thought that I would see a day when we could come together as a community and share our fabulousness, uh, with our city and our country. And I am so proud and humble really to have been one amongst many fought the good fight to find us here sharing who we are and being loved for it. I think, uh, we have a fabulous mayor of Wellington who has embraced our community always in her political career. And, um, I, of course, have been fortunate enough to be a representative, not only of the but in parliament, but of our gay community and particularly our transgender community. For me, we what? And while we have substantially gained more rights than we thought we could earn, uh, there is still some way to go, uh, for some of our sector of our community, and we ask you to stand in solidarity with us as we continue, um, those we fight that we have coming on to us. But more importantly, since we have been a country that has led the way in so many ways, uh, we need to help our brothers and sisters and others around the world who are not enjoying the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy here. So thank you all for showing your support. Uh, thank you to everyone who's, uh, had us as part of the Cuba thing, but this is out in the car park. And that was the love parade. Uh, so my name is Maggie Shippen. I'm here with inside out. And the reason why that I'm with inside out is because, um, I really enjoy uh, youth based work, especially in the, um, queer community. Um, and I'm also, uh, starting with schools out as well. Um, and I think that it's, um, quite important to, I guess, further, um, queer support in the youth community. Yeah. So what does it inside out Do? Um, So they run, um, Q SAS around New Zealand. Uh, we also do the day of silence. Um, and a whole bunch of different that we have. Um, yeah, that's what we do. What is the day of silence? The day of silence is where we recognise transphobia and homophobia. And, um, it's a way of saying that it's not OK. And, um, I guess because silence is more, um, it's not. It's more of a peaceful protest rather than overtly, you know, being out there. Yeah. So is this the first pride event you've been? No. No. Um, I've been to two out in the squares. Um, I've been to the next conference up in Auckland. Um, I'm pretty involved. Yeah, I. I really enjoy it. It's a good environment. So can you, um, give me a taste of the kind of vibe? What? How does it feel at this one here? Um, I, I think it's quite bubbly. And, um, because it's got a whole bunch of different things here. Um, I just I I love it. It's plain and simple. Yeah. What do you reckon? The, um the biggest challenges facing rainbow people are in New Zealand in 2015. I'd have to say, um, for myself, it would be internal homophobia and transphobia and that sort of thing. Um, because, you know, coming out to yourself is the biggest part. Um, and it can take even after you've come out to all of your friends and that sort of thing. You're still continuing that, um, coming out process to yourself. Um, and it continues throughout your life. Um, I think that's the biggest biggest thing. Yeah, Um, I'm Daisy, and I'm here because I'm here because I'm queer. That's pretty much all there is to it. Yeah. So, Daisy, um, which group are you involved with? Uh, so I go to schools out? Yeah, on Thursday after school. What is that? So it's a group, and it's for, like, queer youth, and we come along and there's food and we talk about who we are, and you know, all that stuff, and it's just kind of a nice place. And it's really supportive. And everyone's really nice. And yeah. So how long have you been going? Um, not that long, actually. Only about since the start of the term. Maybe a little bit later. Yeah. And how did you find out about it? Well, a friend of mine went and they were like, It's really cool. So I was like, I'll come along and find out for myself. And so is this your first kind of like fried event? Yeah. Yeah, it is. Yeah. And have you found it? It's It's really nice. It's a really nice atmosphere. Everyone's, you know, really happy. And I like the performance earlier. Can you describe what you're seeing at the moment? Um oh, that's there's a lot of people and they all look really happy. And it seems like everyone's just kind of, you know, enjoying themselves, and everyone's got the same idea in mind. We're all here to have fun, and yeah, So would you have, like, a message for somebody that hasn't found somewhere like schools out? You know, um, why, Why go? Uh, well, it's just It's really good for support and just to see, meet lots of people who are like you and are going through the same stuff that you are. And, um, you know, just have a fun time with people who are like you. I'm John and this is my partner, DES, shortly to be my husband. And, um, we've always been associated with the gay lesbian Fair. DES, in fact, was one of the prime movers when it started in in the Newtown School. And it was a wonderful opportunity to reassess where we are and to take advantage of the fact that this country has come such a long way since 1986. Well, I'd like to thank all the people who work very hard to get all this together. I think it's great what they've done. And we do feel both John and myself. Visibility is important, and this is a way of being visible and also having fun. And this is not only for gay lesbians or GL BT community, but for all our friends as well. And I think that in itself is worth supporting. So De you are part of the founding, uh, gay and lesbian fear in Wellington, You're the founding father. How does this compare to then? How? How have attitudes changed attitudes from, uh, because I can remember very clearly the very first fear when we did have opposition, Uh, coming from what we call the t-shirt boys. These were muscle boys who wore T shirts Gay plus gay eagles, AIDS. And this is, uh, prior to homosexual law reform. So the first fair was in 1986. Uh, that was in March, and the law was actually passed on the ninth of July 1986 that the event was called a fair for fair law. And but we did have a fun day, but it was all held in the Newtown School Hall. After some years, that would be expanded out to the playground. And it grew and grew. And finally, on the 10th fair, Uh, John did say, Well, uh, might be divorce if we go on because running it on my own, it was like I would start at about August getting out and you didn't have computers. So everything was by phone trees, and it was quite a lot of work, but worthwhile. Was it the same diversity of groups that were in the in the fear back then. Uh, well, we probably was, but not as visible. And, uh, there was distinctly gay men and lesbians, and sometimes we were bisexual. There were moments when you sort of had to play it cool politically. Yeah. And, uh, it was Yes, it was. Um, yeah, it was fun. We did have one fear with the top twins, and that that was a real bonus, because that drew a lot of people. And people like the top twins have created a a lot of goodwill for the GL BT community. And you said very briefly at the start that you're getting married on the 10th anniversary of our civil union. So civil unions passed in 2005. So right at the start, you were civil unions. And now now you're getting married. That's right. First of May. Our civil union certificate is CU one. It was the very first one in New Zealand. The ceremony. So are you planning anything kind of large or low key or? Oh, no. We're always discreet. Well, it was going to be it was going to be small. Uh, Yeah, I'm a volunteer guide at Zia, and I did feel that was a good idea to help Zaia with their funding by having it there So it will be held there on the first of May. And they have limited space, which is perhaps a good thing. So are you having performance? Or I think we'll sort of keep that under our hat at the moment. Oh, I don't know. We could say a little bit because it's growing and it could be a lot of fun. It will be a lot of fun, but the precise details have yet to be worked out. Why do you think? Uh, something like the parade and the fear is important? Well, as I said before visibility and also of us getting together and politically that that's also important. Uh, it's we still have work to do as Georgina by said, Who's a wonderful worker? Uh, well speaker. And as Georgina Baer said, there's still work to be done in our community. There's a lot of work to be done for transgender people, and by getting together and being visible and also hearing someone like Georgina Barr that all helps. Can you describe what you're seeing at the moment. What we're seeing at the moment is a lot of fun. Yeah, a comedia de la, the Italian type of theatre and a street theatre. And and the costuming is marvellous. And you got these people further down the road who look like Yeah, skeletons, They they've got these amazing costumes on. This is wonderful electric. Something rather contraption with them full of music. Fabulous. And that's rather nice chest coming up here, isn't it? Oh, yes, yes, yes. It's better to be a That always helps are males. So my name is Leslie Bola, and I'm here supporting very positive stall today. Yeah, I'm boy Roy Williams, and I'm the same. I'm here supporting the gay community. Wellington. Did you guys march in the street? No, no, no. We missed out my blood. My driver was very slow this morning because we had a big party last night, so we woke up late, But anyway, we're here. And so you're on a stall this afternoon? Yes, I am. We have a few friends already. Volunteers for body positive. So we're just rotating, trying to get out the message out to everyone to support people living with HIV. And how is that going? Is there still kind of stigma and discrimination in the community? I think one of the big problems we have in Wellington that's my own observation is there's still self self stigma within every individual just to walk through that door, to go up to the office to get the blood test. But people are slowly, slowly, slowly coming out here to be happy. Why do you think this kind of visibility is so important? I think it's an environment approach where we want to get everyone involved so that they can see the various organisations, what they are doing and also learning from the different and doing it in a creative way where we have fun with it and messages, short messages going out, their pamphlets, signboards, people dressing up to express themselves so various creative ways, which is really good. I'm Lin Payne. Uh, I work for New Zealand police. Uh, we are here today representing police as part of the Diversity Liaison Network that we have. What does it mean to to be in a in a parade or feel like this? Uh, from a personal perspective, It's bloody awesome. Um, I love the culture, the atmosphere, the diversity, everything. I mean, people are out there doing what they want doing, acting, how they want, being what they want and nobody cares. It's great. There's there's no no antagonism or anything. Um, from a police perspective, it's also bloody awesome. Um, because we're out there in the community showing the community or the the wider GL BT I communities that we are accepting. We we, uh, look after all of New Zealand, regardless of their background, their culture, their beliefs, anything. So, yeah, it's cool. A couple of weeks ago in, uh, Auckland, there was the pride parade where a number of protesters came onto the street. Um, and then there was some, um, media coverage around how they were dealt with. How did that make you feel personally, in terms of, um, I mean, people were quite down on police and corrections. How? How? How How did you feel about that? Um, I didn't actually have too much involvement with it myself. Um, so I can't really comment on it. Unfortunately, uh, the the fact that there's there's a little bit of antagonism out there for police is. It's It's one of those things that we have to get over. Um, we're trying to break down the barriers and get rid of, um, the antagonism and that and the the perceived hatred towards police. Uh, we're trying to make it get rid of it completely. Basically. So, yeah, it was a bit of a downer, but it's one of those things that we just have to put up with. Unfortunately, until there's more trust and confidence out there And how do you How do you kind of gain that more trust and confidence by being here today Basically, um, and just involving ourselves and and being more diverse, um, being more empathetic, being more accepting of everybody? I mean, we are the police as an organisation, is there to serve the community. And what better way to serve the community than getting out there and being involved with the communities? So have you ever experienced any kind of homophobia within the police itself? For yourself? Uh, personally, No. None? No. Um, there's the police itself. Is is very old school. Um, we do have a have a core of, uh, say middle class white male Butch homophobe. That's that's the understanding of how it is. That's how it how it always has been and how it always will be. We're trying to break that. Um, it's I've certainly not had that experience in my 10 years with the police, so yeah. Yeah. And just personally, in terms of, um, being in, uh, places like this, like in the stores and, uh, in the parade. I mean, what does it mean to you personally? Uh, personally, I find it great. I mean, I love I mean, being gay myself. I love being out with with everybody in the community, seeing what everybody else has to offer not only themselves, but the groups, all the little stalls. It's just great seeing everybody here enjoying themselves. And that's the main part of today. I think just getting out there and enjoying yourself doing what you like. Hey, Cool. Hi. I'm Emma Anderson, and I'm from the electoral Commission. I'm also from Wellington, and I'm just here enrolling people to vote, making sure people's details are up to date and really happy to be out here march in the Pride parade. That was super fun. And yeah, just here to here to show my support. So is that the first pride parade you've marched in? It is Yes, it's great. And how was it? It was fantastic. Yeah. What kind of feeling? What's what vibe? Um joyful. Happy? Um, yeah. Joy, joyful and happy and just proud to be happy to be out there. And why is it important? Do you think for things like pride parades or or the fear? Uh, I think it's important. So we can show, uh, So, like, we can show that we're an inclusive, tolerant society. Um, where diversity is welcomed. And, uh yeah, and this is the sort of thing that, um, we we support as a society, which is a great, by the way. So you'll be marching next year. Of course. Of course. Naturally. Hi. My name is Ron Irvine, And, uh, I'm from body positive, and we have a selection of, uh, information on HIV. Uh, but also, we're actually selling some rainbow coloured, um goods just as a fundraiser for body positive. Why important to be at something like this? I think it's very important to to be at something like this because it's part of the rainbow community. we, uh We, uh, support the rainbow community. Of course. Um, a lot of our members, uh uh, together with, um uh, to do with HIV, uh, come from the rainbow community. And, uh, I think we we need to be out there and be proud of being gay by lesbian, transsexual and intersex. Yeah, I think I was talking to one of your colleagues before and they were talking about I said, Well, you know, one of the biggest things in New Zealand at the moment, um, around HIV aids. And it was about, um, self stigma. Would would you agree with it? Absolutely. Uh, self stigma is one of the, uh, uh, bad things within our community. Um and, uh, yeah, I. I certainly found that when I came to Wellington by, um when I, uh when we first had our centre, uh, opened and I decided that I would forget about, uh, all the all this, uh um being secret and, you know, keeping in the closet regarding HIV. So I put a huge, uh, sign a illuminated sign across, uh, Courtney place, and, uh, several of our members said, Oh, we can't do that. We can't do that. And I said, Well, times are changing, And, uh, I think it's very important that, uh, we do, uh, stand up and be proud of who we are. Uh, and, uh, so, you know, within three months, they were back in the centre, and, uh, you know, I talked to them, and I said, You know, that is all self stigma, and we need to change that, and we're here to help you change that. And, um, yeah, within two or three months, they were back in the centre and over it. Um, and, uh, yeah, I think it's very important. Yeah, we do. A range of we have a range of services at body positive from, um you know, when someone's recently diagnosed, we support them. Uh, we, uh, very important to have people that are HIV positive talking to newly diagnosed people. Uh, that peer support is crucial. Uh, and certainly, you know, coming from Auckland, where we've been there 20 years and, uh, you know, coming. We've been here now in Wellington for 2. 5 years. It's, uh it's great to have a centre for positive people and their friends and supporters to come in, Have a coffee. Have a chat, uh, newly diagnose people to come in and get that support, Uh, and, uh, to basically move on with life. I think it's very important. Um, in the old days, it was like a death sentence, no longer a death sentence. Nowadays, uh, it's one pill a day that you take. Eventually, it might take 5 to 7 years before you actually do get onto that pill. But, um, you know, once you if you are IV positive or diagnosed HIV positive. It's no longer that that death sentence and, um, yeah, it's It's great. There's no, certainly no, Um um no. No problems being HIV. The toxicity of the medication nowadays is, um, um is less, uh, and also the side effects are less. Um, eventually, we'll have, uh you know, I've I've heard that, uh, we'll be having one injection, uh, every six months. Uh, that's on the horizon. So, um, you know, and then, of course, you know, we're waiting for the cure vaccination first and then cure. Uh, I'm little Miss Cinnamon, and we're here today with love your condom. So we're all about promoting safe sex within the the gay men's community, and we're giving away free condoms. And we've got a photo booth here and we're just about celebrating diversity and and safe sex and having a fantastic day here in Wellington. Can you describe what you're wearing? Um, I'm wearing a lot of sequins and a lot of red and a lot. A lot of makeup. You look amazing. Thank you very much. So is this the first pride event you've been to? Uh, no, I've just come from Christchurch Pride. Um, and we had Auckland Pride as well. Um, so no, I do a lot of pride work around the country. It's all about being proud. Yeah. So can you compare What? What What is the What are the prides like in the various centres? What? How how are they different? Um, I think each community is is very unique. Um, Wellington is obviously very artistic and very diverse. And, um, very, uh, ground roots. Um, Christchurch is obviously a wee bit more conservative, but we're doing really, really well. Um, venues are a big thing over, uh, a big issue there. And Auckland is just fabulous, as always. Yeah. So talk to me. about LYC. So where does that come from? Um, it's a safe sex campaign, Um, via the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. So we are all about love, your condom, and we distribute condoms, um, around New Zealand, Um, and just promoting safe sex and testing. Um and well, being within our community for you personally. What? What does it mean to be part of these kind of events? Um, it's about visibility and celebration and awareness as well. So there's a lot of awareness and still needs to be made, especially around HIV. Um, so, yeah, it's just about being visible and spreading the word and yeah, informing people. Hi, I'm Shane. I'm from Wellington, and I worked for a NZ. Been working for them almost a year now. They're an awesome company to work for. Awesome bank. Yeah, I'm just here in support of, you know, a NZ have been given the the gay sponsor tech for everything so massive achievement and massive, like, quite honoured to be able to represent and, um, represent and look out for the, you know, the gay community and just let's be there for everyone, you know, backing them. Their dream big save the cricket and everything. So So, Yeah, I'm quite proud to be an a NZ. Employee and customer. Yeah, so? So a NZ has actually supported quite a lot of, um, LGBT events or what other events have they supported? Um, the cricket, the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games? Obviously. Yeah. LGBT the gay ATM S, Um, obviously out in the park as well. Chinese New Year. So there's so many events we're holding, obviously the netball. And that's so small communities, large communities, New Zealand, national internationally. And it's about everywhere. Always there. Trying to help as much as we can, as I might do, is we live in your world, so we wanna try to be there for you. So why do you think, Um, having these events is so important. This kind of visibility, Um, just to show that we care that we are there for everyone. You know, we're not just a bank. We're out there trying to get them amongst the community and trying to work with them and help them grow and grow business. And just trying to be there. Yeah. Yeah. Hi. Um, I'm Chris Rogers. Um, and be Yeah, uh, we represent the Wellington Cats Protection League. Um, we have a shelter in Kingston where we look after between 40 50 cats that are needing new homes. Um, which, uh, you know, it takes quite a bit of money. So we like to get out and and fundraise, um, selling stuff that's been donated to us. Home baking jams, that sort of stuff. Um, that's us. So, uh, describe to me what you've got on your store. Uh, we have a selection of donated sort of brick Brack. Um, we've got books DVD S. We've got some lovely cards featuring some of our cats done by one of our volunteers. Who's an illustrator? Uh, we have jams. We have, uh, pickles, short bread, chocolate chip cookies. Afghans Fudge home baking generally, And you've got some very cute cats behind us on the on. The on the board. Molly, The third. Molly, The third got adopted yesterday. Yeah, but poor old Diego has been with us for well over a year. Still looking for his special someone. What do you think? Uh, like, days like this for, um out in the car park. Now, why are they important? Um, I think it's a really important way to to, you know, um, get the community out participating, seeing what's out there. I mean, you know, the the queer community in Wellington is incredibly diverse, and we're very proud to be, um, be a part of that. I'm Alan. Alan representing the Wellington front runners. And I'm Paul Rigby. Also representing Wellington. Front runners. And what are the front runners? Uh, they are a running group. They, um, sort of a gay and lesbian running group. Um, that runs on a Thursday evening and a Sunday morning. How long have you guys been associated with the group? Well, I've been running on and off for the last. You, um you're obviously from America. And you did a centre of time a few years ago, and then you've come back recently. I first joined nine years ago. We joined a few months back, and it has been a great group. You know, it's a wonderful group of people, you know. You can just socialise while you get fit and healthy and usually go for brunch afterwards. We kind of unofficial slogan is that we run to brunch. My name is Damien Stro, and I'm the executive director of the fourth Asia Pacific Out Games to taking part in Auckland 13 to 20 of February 2016, only 10 months away. Now it drop me of interest from the community here in Wellington to take part in the culture, the human rights, the sports festival once for a week. There's a lot happening. It's going to be great fun. So coming up to Auckland, I attended the 2011 ones here in Wellington and they just went off. I mean, there was such a buzz around the city, the same sort of sort of thing. I mean, Wellington's now two games ago. We've had the game games in Darwin last year and sort of building on the successes from both of those events. It's getting its own traction now and the international community is getting used to come to these events. We've got great buy in from Melbourne and Sydney Team Melbourne team Sydney. They'll be sending over a large contingent of people and we've got to go and beat those Aussies. We've got to bring the medals home in New Zealand, so yeah, get training, get out there and come and join in. If you can't join in, come and volunteer or just come and spectate. There's a there's not for everybody. So what kind of sports are going to be in prison? Uh, sports Running from bridge and chest through to the contact sports like touch rugby. There's hockey, softball, soccer. There's a full swimming competition, ocean swim, track and field events. There's lawn bowls, 10 pin bows. There's 20 odd sports in there, so there's something for everybody again. If you're not a sportsman, come and try out. Come and throw a discus. Come and throw a hammer and try the high jump, the long jump. Everyone can do something, and in terms of the kind of cultural activities around around the, um, the event on the cultural side, we've got a couple of stage shows, which we're running through the week specifically as part of the out games. Um, there'll be wine tasting tours to waihi. There'll be a Valentine's Evening dinner with the cultural um, show spectacular. It also be trips to the Auckland's volcanoes, come to the geography of Auckland and get some understanding of that. There'll be a whole lot happening. There's too too much to mention right now and in Wellington there was a human rights conference. Is that being repeated in Auckland? It is indeed. But we're kicking off with the youth, which is a get together of the youth of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Um, it's gonna be two or three days of youth directing themselves as as they want to to perform under, take an event not being directed by so called adults. And the human rights kicks off at the end of that festival and runs for 3, 3. 5 days and be a full human rights festival with obviously speakers with key local speakers and local interest groups. And we're trying to get away from the sort of the classroom festival going to sort of more, um, groups, discussion groups, focus groups of breakout groups of people facilitated just throwing ideas around and getting some really active discussions and generating some projects and legacy projects to run after the Games. And so have you been competing in previous games like I've been in Wellington, um, the Darwin Out games also the Antwerp World Out games and the Gay Games in Cologne. So that's four events over the last five years, and I have medals, so if I can do it, anyone can do it. My name is Angela Wells. I'm a local face painter, body artist. And I'm just here because I've done out in the out in the square and then out in the park for the last three years. So yeah, we were rained out at first, and that was a bit of a bummer. Hey, now we're out, and the the weather is nice for now, so that's great. So just still looking forward to just painting and glittering people you can't tell on audio, But I'm currently covering my non dominant arm with rainbows and stars, you know, just for fun and for advertising. So this is a face and body, kind of, uh, what is the most extreme thing that you've done? What extreme thing I've done. Well, I haven't had much business yet today because we're only just starting out. Um, although I did give someone a rainbow mohawk, he had he had a nice, like, bald head, and we were just like, uh like, what should we do? You need more rainbows. Having like a rainbow Mohawk with like a heart in the front. He looks like a superhero. It's pretty awesome. Why do you think these events are so important? Oh God, it's just like because things are they are getting better. But like incrementally, slowly. And it's important, since the inception of Pride marches, that there is visibility because there is so much suppression in the modern era, well, contemporary era like societies across the world have had various levels of acceptance of queer trans gender, generally non conform people. And there was just a wave of, you know, conservativism and imperialism over the past couple of centuries. But what it was doing was it was suppressing not only a lot of traditional cultures, but it was also suppressing just human nature. Some people just you know, some people are queer. Some people are trans get over it, you know, so and it really should be no big deal. But I think until we get to a point where you know people who are, you know, queer friends, you know, different whatever are just seen as just just, you know, whatever. Some people are different once it's no longer a big deal. Maybe we won't need Faires like this. It will just be sort of just a thing of the past. You know, I look forward to a future where it's just sort of everyone's allowed to just do their own thing. I'm Ellen and I'm on the Lila store Lius Wellington's Lesbian Library, and each year we sell books. We sell them for $2 each, and then some of them get donated back to normal. We sell them the next year we've been. We've been doing this at the Queer Fair in Wellington since 1994. We also sell White Elephant, and it's wonderful selling lots of stuff to straight people who can buy stuff and give us money. We love it. Can you give me an example of some of the books that you've got? Well, all of the sort of hot, lesbian, erotic short story books gone already. Um, they come in early for that. The young women and grab them. Uh, we've got classics. We go back to just about the start of last century classics and lots of modern stuff as well, lots of plenty from the seventies eighties nineties classics and some of the not so hot ones. But that's all right? They worked at, but they tried. They wrote books and and you say This is Lina and what is Lila is Wellington's lesbian library. You can find out about us at dot lesbian dot net dot nz. We've been operating since 1994 in Wellington, so that's over 20 years as a lending library books DVD S Once we had videos, magazines. It's an organisation that members can join up, pay an annual subscription on a sliding scale, and then all borrowing is free. Nowadays, we also do events in our wonderful current room, such as speed dating, talks by interesting people like women and including trans women from the military, police, women, all sorts of interesting people. So why did it? Why was it established in 1994? Was there any particular reason? The impetus to start from the first agonising meetings were held in 93 which was women's suffrage, and lots of women were coming out like myself, and it was a year when things were getting moving. So two lesbians who worked in the National Library, Linda Evans and Glenda Gale, called a meeting at the YWC A and interested women, including all the lesbian library areas in town turned up, and we spent months plotting and planning a library. It's a great asset. Yeah. So my name is Elizabeth Marshall, and I run Rainbow Rider. And also colour me kitchen Rainbow is all about everything coloured so anything and everything rainbow that you can think of for your house, your pet yourself, A little bit of pride and flair and colour in my kitchen is my culinary venture doing cooking parties and classes and also specialty cakes and catering Take me through some of the things that you've got on display. Uh, so I've got quite a wide range, uh, some of the stuff I make myself. So I've got wooden letters, um, that have rainbow buttons and sock monkey kits and sock monkeys. Pet bowls that are hand painted with paw prints, rainbow paw prints and boxes, rainbow pet collars, pride bumper stickers, uh, mugs, rainbow mugs that I've hand painted and platters I've hand painted, uh, jewellery, lots of pride, jewellery, lanyards, flags. Yeah, there's a lot here, actually balls for the kids or for your dogs, but yeah, pet friendly, kid friendly, family friendly. So are you touring around the country with us at various prides. Um, no, I haven't been. I would love to right now. For me, it's a little bit more of a hobby. Um, my stuff is kind of taking over and taking a bit more of my time because I'm doing a lot of private classes and cooking classes and stuff and cakes. Lots of I did a vegan wedding cake over this weekend, which was massive. So, um, but I would love to I. I don't think there's enough pride stores in New Zealand. They're all based offshore so, and it's always great to get people involved that are local, like we're Wellington and our the woman who makes our dog colours. She's Wellington based. The sock monkey maker is Wellington based. So if there are artists or people out there who are doing rainbow things or making rainbow things that I can sell on their behalf, you know it's nice to have a little community feel to it. So my name is Neil Ballentine, and I'm with the group, which we're currently calling ourselves Faith communities united in love. And so we're a bunch of essentially different faith groups. Um, but and also different Christian churches coming together. Um, particularly in response to the guy, the Baptist gentleman in Auckland who was talking about killing the gays. Um, we thought that it was really important to have a group of people of faith coming together to say, Actually, we're much more pro the LGBT community than people think. And so, yeah, we come together, um, to have a still here and also to deliver a petition asking the government to retrospectively pardon those men who are convicted for homosexual acts before law reform in 86. Um, this is also joining with, um, a British campaign as well that started, Um, especially in response to the movie. I can't remember what it's called the game. Yeah, the imitation game that was talking about Alan Turing. And so around that time, the queen actually pardoned Alan Turing. Um, but no one else. Funnily enough, um, and so there's a British campaign that, um, Benedict Cumberbatch actually started as Alan Turing in the movie is also pushing in in Britain to to get all the others um pardoned as well. So So we're sort of joining with that, um but we think as faith communities. It's especially important for us to be, um, giving this petition to the public because we recognise that religion would have had a significant part to play in those sodomy laws in the first place. So, yeah. So how far down the track are you with the petition? Um, so a gentleman called was the guy who put it together, and he started at, um, late last year and sort of, um I think it was September, October last year, and so we don't really have an actual goal in mind of how many signatures, but we're probably going to deliver it to parliament within the next couple of months, so we're just sort of collecting the final. Now, there is, uh, an online petition as well, so people can jump on board and and check that out. And so what will that mean for people with convictions? Um, I'm not sure The exact legal process. What's going to happen? Um, I think the exact wording of the legislation that would need to be passed in order to have it happen is still to be worked out. Um, but essentially, I was asking the government to look at it and then to figure out the process. From there, they have the legal expertise to figure out exactly what the process would be. We don't. And so would a pardon be, uh, something like it would be removed from their record. And yes, uh, that will be the case, but again, it's It's probably less about the actual practicalities of it and more about the idea of it, because it's it's about the government officially saying, Actually, this legislation was wrong. It should never have happened. And we're sorry that we put you guys through this. That's the main reason. Do you have any idea about how many people this will affect? No. Sorry. I don't know the numbers. We again we need the government to actually look through that and look it up, um, and work through that. And if you had people that have been convicted that are, um, kind of now putting themselves forward in the public as to get their conviction squashed, Um, no, but we'd love that to happen. You know, we'd love to have some role models to be able to sort of show the the face behind. What? What This is about Yeah, that'd be awesome. Why do you think? Uh, something like, uh, this pride parade and also the kind of out in the car park is important. Um, I think it's incredibly important to have pride events to keep it on the public's radar, that a R communities are out there and B that we actually have a lot of, um, stuff that we still need to be working for. There's there's still, um, injustice, um, out there and there's still, um I think a lot of how the public conceives the queer community still needs to upgrade itself, if you know what I mean. Um, so yeah, so we've got marriage equality, and that's really awesome. But there's there's a risk that with marriage equality, people go Oh, OK, that's all the rights you need. It's done kind of thing. And so events like this show that we're still actually a marginalised group and actually, as a marginalised group, we can come together and celebrate our differences, but also, um, act politically for further change in the future and to, um, really still integrate ourselves as as as a key part of wider society and and people appreciate and affirm that we are part of a wider society. And so it's kind of nice having it part of Cuba as well that it's not an isolated event on its own, that it is actually part of a wider thing. So what do you think the biggest challenges are for kind of rainbow communities in New Zealand in 2015? Great question. Um, I'd say there's probably two main areas which I would like to see further work done on. Um, one would be, uh, adoption law reform. Um, and that is happening, but at a really slow rate. Um, so I think that needs a real sort of kick in the pants in regards to a campaign around that. And secondly, uh, trans issues are still huge. Um, gender diversity is still not very well recognised in New Zealand, um, and, uh, support financially for transition surgeries. And that kind of thing is chronically underfunded. Um, and even schools can be incredibly impressive places in regards to how gender is represented and that kind of thing. Still very, um, binary ideas, gender representation that come through. So so as a society, we need to get a head around gender diversity way more. The full transcription of the recording ends. A list of keywords/tags describing the recording follow. These tags contain the correct spellings of names and places which may have been incorrectly spelt earlier in the document. The tags are seperated by a semi-colon: 1970s ; 1980s ; 1990s ; 2010s ; ANZ Bank New Zealand ; Adrienne Girling ; Alan Kwok ; Alan Turing ; Alan Turing law ; Amanduh la Whore ; Angela Wells ; Aotearoa New Zealand ; Asia Pacific Outgames ; Auckland ; Australia ; Bangkok ; Benedict Cumberbatch ; Bev Berryman ; Bicycle Junction ; Body Positive ; Canada ; Celia Wade-Brown ; Chinese ; Chris Rogers ; Christchurch ; Christmas ; Clynton Payne ; Colour Me Kitchen ; Coming Up ; Commonwealth Games ; Conrad Johnston ; Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Act 2018 ; Cuba ; Cuba Street ; CubaDupa (Wellington) ; Damian Strogen ; Day of Silence ; Des Smith ; Different Strokes Wellington (DSW) ; Diversity Liaison Officers (police) ; Drag Queen ; Electoral Commission ; Elizabeth Marshall ; Ellen Faed ; Emma Anderson ; Events ; Faith Communities United in Love ; Fifi Fabulous ; Fresh Fruit (Wellington) ; Gay-TMs (teller machines) ; Georgina Beyer ; Ghuznee Street ; 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volunteer ; vote ; walking ; water ; wedding ; wellbeing ; wind ; wine ; women ; womens suffrage ; work ; worship ; youth. The original recording can be heard at this website https://www.pridenz.com/out_in_the_car_park.html. The master recording is also archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.  For more details visit their website https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.1089644. Please note that this document may contain errors or omissions - you should always refer back to the original recording to confirm content.