Tue 31 Dec 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Tony Katavich (l) and John Kiddie One of the gay communities' historically most influential figures, businessman Tony Katavich, has died, bringing to a close one of the most colourful and dominant partnerships gay New Zealand has ever known. Katavich (78) had been unwell, fighting cancer, in recent years and had at times rallied, but grew progressively weaker. In June last year he lost his partner, in life and in business, John Kiddie. Katavich, Kiddie and the flamboyant Brett Sheppard formed a business grouping in the 1970s which saw them create a series of gay-focused businesses including a national magazine, saunas, nightclubs, a travel agency and gay male-oriented adult shops in the main centres. Sheppard was a highly visible campaigner for Law Reform in the mid-1980's but behind the scenes Katavich funded many expenses associated with the long and at times arduous campaign which ultimately say the law criminalising sexual relations between gay men in New Zealand struck down. Tony Katavich was farewelled this morning at Auckland's Purewa All Saints Chapel. GayNZ.com Daily News will publish more details as they become available. Tony Katavich: 11 April 1935 - 27 December 2013 If you would like to pay tribute to Tony Katavich, please email news@gaynz.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 31st December 2013 - 10:10pm