Surprise under the rainbow
Star guest Ardern says 20th Big Gay Out reminder of work still to be done
It was a day full of sun, rainbows and even a politician’s surprise baby announcement for the 20th annual Big Gay Out in Auckland. Thousands of people streamed into Auckland’s Coyle Park in Point Chevalier yesterday to celebrate the rainbow community and raise awareness about the push to end HIV by 2025.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern proved a hit with the audience as she returned for the first time since becoming the leader of the country.
“I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve felt proud to stand on this stage,” Ardern said in a speech on the main stage to a cheering audience.
Coming back for the 20th anniversary event as Prime Minister was “very special”.
“It is one of many events that shows the incredible diversity of New Zealand, and that is something to be celebrated.”
Ardern had planned to attend last year but the festival was cancelled due to heavy rain.
She said the day was a chance to celebrate but also a reminder of the work to be done for the rainbow community.
Ardern highlighted the work done to reduce HIV over the past six years, and work the Government had done in the area, including funding the HIV-prevention drug Prep since March last year. They had also lifted the cap on funding for gender reassignment surgery.
“As a country we must continue to strive for inclusion, diversity, to ensure the LGBTQI community in school, education, work, are in safe spaces. We know as a Government we have work to do there, and I can assure you we will keep doing that work.”
She highlighted the bill of Labour List MP Marla Lubeck seeking to put an end to so-called conversion therapy — a controversial practice which uses psychotherapy to reduce or stop same-sex attraction.
Ardern said she had an announcement to make regarding LGBTQI and mental health, but she would save that for the “mental health-focused Budget”.
Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day came when Labour MP Ta¯mati Coffey announced he and his partner Tim Smith were expecting a baby.
“I wanted to seize the opportunity at the biggest gay event in the country right now to share the news me and my partner over there are expecting a baby in July,” Coffey said.
The MP for Waiariki’s words were met with huge cheers and applause from the packed audience.
Coffey said he applauded the modern families out under the “rainbow umbrella”.
“What I love about this is, it is a day to all come together. There are all kinds of modern families going on today, and I applaud that.”
The former TV host and his partner Smith have been together for more than a decade, and entered into a civil union in 2011.
Coffey told the Herald the surrogate mother was a “friend of a friend”, and she was about 20 weeks along.
They knew the sex of the baby, but would be keeping it secret “for a little longer”, Coffey said. For those in the crowd it was about having fun in a safe and inclusive environment.
Rainbow costumes, drag and plenty of glitter made up the dress code for most in what was a stifling hot Sunday.
Peri Bailey and Jade Blaine were perhaps the festival’s best dressed for the weather after visiting a body painting stall. “I like the fact . . . people can come together in this safe space, and just enjoy their time together, with music, dancing, and . . . get their tits out if they want to,” Bailey said.
It was the 13th festival for Daphne Bush. “I have been going drag for 13 years and have been coming each year since.”
Bush was impressed by the Prime Minister returning, and sticking “to her roots”. “She is down to earth.”
As a country we must continue to strive for inclusion.
Jacinda Ardern