Cissy Rock - Auckland's Pride Parade

In this extensive interview between Cissy Rock and Kim Hill, the conversation focuses on the controversies surrounding the uniform ban implemented for the 2019 Auckland Pride Parade. With multiple sponsors pulling out in response to this decision, the interview delves into the core of the issue – balancing sponsorship and costs with representation, inclusion, and the broader community's sentiments.

The Auckland Pride Board, with Rock at the presidency, chose to stick with the uniform ban, signaling an intention to ensure that previously unheard voices within the community are recognized and not abandoned. This decision comes despite the financial implications, notably the loss of sponsorship from entities with the Rainbow Tick, a symbol of inclusivity for diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.

The interview explores the financial ramifications and the possibility of hosting a scaled-down parade emphasizing grassroots community involvement. Cissy Rock emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, highlighting that individuals who have never felt represented in the parade are now coming forward and expressing a desire to participate in an event that aligns with their values.

Kim Hill challenges the ideology behind the ban, referencing the various groups within the community that are expressing opposition, including the transgender community, young people, and specific minority groups like Maori, women, and the economically disadvantaged. Hill also points out the potential divisiveness within the community due to the decision and probes into why certain institutions, like the police, are being singled out.

The board's firm stance reflects a broader conversation about the discomfort many have with the institutional representation of the police given the continued work needed within the institution, as acknowledged by police authorities themselves. The idea of wearing police uniforms was debated, with some suggesting it would not be a step forward or conducive to fostering the inclusivity the Pride board envisioned.

The interview addresses the complexity of advocacy and representation in the LGBTQ+ community, raising questions about the intersection of majority sentiment and the need to hear the minority voices that often go unheard within their own communities. The tension between accommodating the institution of police, traditionally seen as oppressive, and recognizing the progress and visibility of LGBTQ+ officers within the police force remains a point of contention.

Rock conveys a strong position on the importance of visibility and inclusion for marginalized voices, implying that the police institution's involvement in the parade could overshadow other significant issues. Furthermore, the conversation touches on broader trends in identity politics and their impact on organizing events like Pride, with questions raised about potential exclusion of other influential institutions like the banking sector.

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.

Cissy Rock

2010s, aotearoa new zealand, auckland, auckland pride festival, auckland pride festival (2019), cissy rock, emilie rākete, external resource, kim hill, people against prisons aotearoa (formerly known as no pride in prisons), pride parade, pride parade (auckland), protest, radio new zealand, rainbow tick, sponsorship, transgender

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