Pride board moving on after vote

After surviving a ‘‘no confidence’’ vote, the Auckland Pride board is here to stay – so what now?

Members of Auckland Pride last week discussed the board’s decision to ban police in uniform from its Pride Parade.

A motion of ‘‘no confidence’’ in the board was lost, 273 to 325.

Looking back on the meeting, Auckland Pride board member Zakk d’Larte´ said it was a ‘‘beautiful moment’’. ‘‘It feels so right to keep our Pride festival and parade in the hands of a community with a vision of a truly inclusive Pride, one that doesn’t leave behind those who are vulnerable or considered minorities.’’

The debate exposed a rift in Auckland’s LGBTQIA+ community. Those in favour of police marching in uniform said inclusion was a long-standing Pride value, while those opposed cited police mistreatment of trans people and people of colour.

Going forward, there were ‘‘so many ko¯ reros to have’’, d’Larte´ said. ‘‘We are planning more community hui and will revisit discussions with the police.’’

‘‘We are committed to strengthening our relationships and helping those who have never felt like they have a platform or voice within Pride to feel like this is for them.’’

People Against Prisons Aotearoa (Papa) was a key player in the push to ban police uniforms.

Spokeswoman Emilie Ra¯ kete said the result ‘‘ratified that the people want repoliticisation of Pride, not just a hollow celebration of state and corporate power’’.