Does one preface an immediate question with a history lesson ?
Or does one come to the discussion better informed, or similarly follow the pop culture of the today blindfolded. Having seen the early Obama Days being reflected by John Key’s performance, at this year’s Big Gay Out with an impromptu aerobics exercise. It was their year so to speak, although the Labour force on show failed to reflect the Camelot of Helen Clark iconic arrivals and stirring speeches, it seemed
To reflect philosophically what I have believed for some time. Throw it all in the air and celebrate it all.
‘Now you ask? What’s to stop us? First it would appear that we have to identify the ‘us’. Since legalizing everything, as a consenting act I dare to say that there is little to identify with. But where would St.Joan be without her voices. The pricks of one’s conscience that for the sake of argument beg one to give it the all time ‘kiwi’ go.
So for arguments sake, the lines are drawn as diversely and disparately as our very makeup.
[No, I’m not screaming .Good morning. Call Thin Lizzy on Morning television but high lighting the different worlds we live in as Gay ‘kiwis’]
It used to be somewhat easier when you could ask. Do you remember singing Tom Robinson’s toneless?
‘Glad to be gay’? Or feeling like an illegal alien in own country of birth.
[Prior to which .Comically, as it now seems men were allowed to be homosexual, but feared prosecution for their choir boy’s secret. Women during this period were seen as hardly likely to frighten horses, or flaunt their fancy at the carriage trade.]
Now, it would be reckless of anyone to disparage a generation who has the freedom to experience a homo/bi/tri/pan/metro.non/kink option to their sexuality, without creating a headline, or dismissed as urban myth. But it would be foolish to think that the disopriately proportioned number that attended, this year’s Big Gay Out reflect what it is to be a gay New Zealander .
A knighted actor of the realm standing on Mt Victoria was seen asking what manner of ship was leaving port. Oh piped up his youthful acolyte, It’s the inter island ferry. Which prompted sir knight into retorting? I knew you kiwis were organized. I didn’t know you had a f…ucking navy.
First things first. We’ve had the navy for years. Or what could be dispelled as another popular myth.
Full marks to the New Zealand Aids Foundation Big Gay Out. Over a decade of creating this national event must been commended for being a ‘flagship’ for all things gay and indeed of a rainbow flavor. Despite what appears to be carping in general about management styles, taking the safe sex message to a wider population has to be a priority, and of course is a much wider picture nationally.
For every New Zealander, regardless of where he might call his cock ‘home. The Aids Foundation and
Pride Organisations continue to put this at the front of their ‘kaupapa’.
Considering the diversity of what we assume to be a ‘rainbow’ community it must be ‘ a hats off’
To Hamilton Pride .After a couple of years establishing themselves as an inc. society, they are now set to continue fostering positive enterprises. In fact by thinking locally, it may just happen that this organization and its efforts may be seen on the international stage. This enterprising group have placed, Pride Festivals, Transgendered Remembrances, Waikato Gay Youth and World Aids Day commembrances
As priority events.
To further extend their activities, one particular project has caught my attention. To approach
Hamilton City itself, and its funding bodies to aid their mission in making the city aware of what
World Aids Day should mean. Now of course, when award ceremonies worldwide, saw the international community using red ribbons to denote Aids awareness. I doubt that it was envisioned that other charities saw the benefit of such and now it appears that nationally we have an appeal for every colour
Any rainbow might offer, and generally with a fair more extensive publicity campaign.
So if the red ribbon is now just one among so many then maybe it is possible to create a ribbon in some other form as a comemmoration. In lighting the Waikato’s iconic river red, as is planned, then not only is it
Something the city may take better notice of, let alone the international exposure from the likes of Google Earth. This aside, the funding would also create a street by street appeal within the city, as well as a marketing campaign to actively involve a wider population. With the city embracing this, this determined group will undoubtedly help a shake up to the Waikato long held reputation for a shake up.
Not exactly a drop match in a fireworks factor, but at start in the right direction one would hope. But the possibility that any ghetto like mentality,[ or is that not unlike saying to quote Michael Jackson ‘We are not alone’] has to be recognized when one discovers the’ swing generation’ are fast romping for their sexual delights through the pages of the Internet.
I am reminded in my rambling, at this point to draw a parallel with the question posed by my maternal parent.
‘Where did they tell you … you were ‘gay’ Can anybody line up. Is there a discount on bulk.
Now I have doubts whether in anyone’s life time that Hamilton would gather any sort of army to champion all things ‘rainbow’ but a stalwart bunch seem to have the bit between their teeth in trying to achieve what once was seemingly impossible.
For those with a yen to listening to community radio ‘Flat Out Pride’ appears to be going from strength to strength. Its one hour format bringing what’s current in national thinking and awareness with in depth interviews with local personalities and in some cases have found more under the carpet than dust.
A current University study has championed Waikato Pride, and is using it as a base for study. This is yet another solid piece of establishment for the little society that celebrates its rainbow status in the heart of the Waikato.
If one has to create a ‘map of the Waikato’ then first and foremost must be the continual existence
Of Gay Link. This long established service, and meeting place has done much over the last few decades
In bringing a gay sensibility to the city, and support for those wanting to find out the parameters of
A gay existence in the rural Waikato. Internet links to these organizations can be found readily, as can the more commercial ventures of Shine Night Club and Bar, and the Guyz Male Bathhouse which continue to to keep our ‘face ‘ in the picture so to speak.
So to the question. How does one define oneself in this new Millennium styled world. Surely the likes of Waikato Pride and other support networks have a lot to shoulder. But without such, the possibility that
The idea of ‘gay ‘or rainbow definition would slide further into the miasma that makes up New
Zealand Society today. The Question possibly is. Does that really matter?
Until next time.
Miss Gloriousole
[ add these and look to the future
www.hamiltonpride.co.nz
gaylinkwaikato@gmail.com
waquy@ihug.co.nz [ QUEER YOUTH]
www.agenderwaikato.co.nz
kate.duggan@hmss.org.nz [ PFLAG]
www.guyz.co.nz
www.shinenightclub.co.nz
www.glamz.co.nz
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