Gisborne rainbow crossing restored after Destiny Church protest
Gisborne’s rainbow crossing has been restored after Destiny Church members defaced it in protest of a drag queen story reading event at the city’s library.
Destiny Church members painted the rainbow pedestrian crossing white on Monday night after issuing an ultimatum to shut down the LGBTI●+ fixture.
The Gisborne Destiny Church branch had said if the mayor did not cancel the reading the central city rainbow crossing on Gladstone Rd would be painted over.
The library event went ahead on Tuesday, but outside about 350 protesters and counter-protesters were gathered with police monitoring.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz yesterday said the council would seek reparations from those who painted over the rainbow crossing.
“We’re thrilled the rainbow crossing was repainted overnight.
“The bill for repainting the crossing will be handled through the police, who we also thank for their support yesterday.”
Stoltz said the event took place at the library and was enjoyed by about 30 people.
“Support has come from around the country for the stance we’ve taken as a region. We thank everyone who has reached out to support us.
“Tairāwhiti is a region where you can be who you are.”
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki took to social media to express his dismay at the return of the painted crossing.
“So the Mayor of Gisborne, a drag dancer by night, has already spent ratepayers [money] on repainting the rainbow crossing back over what we painted over yesterday.
“Well, I think it’s quite obvious that we’ve been very clear why we’re doing this.we don’t agree (with) the drag queens that are allowed access to public libraries to be able to teach,” Tamaki told the Herald yesterday.
About 10 people blocked Gladstone Rd while they painted and held signs urging people to “protect our youth”.
Similar protests have been seen at drag events in the United States and United Kingdom, often attracting farright activists pushing “a decades-old attempt to baselessly associate the LGBT●+ community with paedophilia”, according to a Guardian report last year.
A rainbow library storytime event in Hastings was cancelled this week due to “public safety risks”.
“Disinformation being spread about an upcoming library programme has forced Hastings District Council to cancel a children’s storytime event, and a teen event, due to concerns the young attendees cannot be kept safe,” the Hastings District Council said.
The council said the events were designed to make young people feel good about themselves, to promote positive self-image, to celebrate diversity.
“There is no sexual content in these programmes, they are ageappropriate, and designed to be entertaining and fun.”
The creator of the library “Drag ●ueen Rainbow Readings” is a former member of Destiny Church.
Police said they are investigating the incident.