Pride Festival ‘youth friendly’

It’s here, it’s queer and it’s proud.

The Wellington International Pride Festival officially opens tomorrow, heralding 16 days of events and activities that will celebrate Wellington’s rainbow diversity, as well as acknowledging past victories and future challenges.

The festival this year coincides with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) world conference visiting Wellington.

That will bring with it an even bigger celebration of pride to the capital, as it swells with members of the international LGBTQIA+ community as well as Kiwis.

The conference is being held at the Michael Fowler Centre from March 18 to 22, while the festival will run until March 24.

Festival director Drew Hadwen said the 2019 festival was focused on being youthfriendly and inclusive.

‘‘We’re really excited that one of the first events is going to be the youth quiz, ‘who wants to be a gayzillionaire’.’’

He said this year was special as it would welcome not just the local queer community and their allies, but members of the international queer community too.

‘‘We’re loving that because of ILGA being in town that Wellington City Council, Wreda, Tourism NZ and all sorts of other organisations, like the airport, have jumped on board to welcome people, celebrate and show off how fabulous our city is.’’

Mayor Justin Lester said Wellington had always been a strong supporter of the Pride movement and the next fortnight would showcase the vibrancy, creativity, multi-cultural, and inclusive nature of the queer community.

The Dominion Post has devised a special masthead for the occasion which will run for the duration of the festival.