Part 1 of an honours evening which celebrated people who have made outstanding contributions to the queer and takataapui communities of the Wellington region. The evening was split into three parts: part 2 and part 3 are also available online. A special thank you to Out in the Park for allowing us to record this event.
Summary
The Rainbow Pride Community Honours event, recorded in 2015 at Meow in Wellington, captured a momentous gathering that celebrated the contributions of various individuals to New Zealand's rainbow community. Held on February 10, the event featured a slew of prominent activists and community members who had played pivotal roles in advancing LGBTQI+ rights and visibility throughout the 2010s. The audio recording ran for 58 minutes, with an underlying intent to provide recognition and awards to those who tirelessly worked within the community.
The event, hosted by Amanduh la Whore and Carl Greenwood, commenced with an inclusive welcome and a karakia (a traditional Māori incantation or prayer) by Rangimoana Taylor, who emphasized unity, health, and the historical significance of such gatherings. During the event, various figures of the LGBTQI+ community, including several activists and a Member of Parliament, were recognized and celebrated.
In a particularly moving tribute, two influential members of the lesbian community who had passed away, Pauline Simmons and Pat Rosier, were honored posthumously. Their contributions transcended mere activism; they were integral parts of establishing community spaces and engaging in literary work that resonated with and represented lesbian experiences. Organizations such as the Armstrong and Arthur Charitable Trust for Lesbians spoke of their legacy and commitment to fostering lesbian culture through funding and support.
In another segment, Kathleen Winter and Kassie Hartendorp from Schools Out, a supportive space for queer and trans youth, acknowledged individuals like Cassie and Connor who had dedicated themselves to facilitating and educating within the community. These volunteers were showered with gratitude for their empathetic and relentless efforts in uplifting queer youth.
The recognition ceremony also included Box Events, which focused on inclusivity, particularly for people of color, and heralded those who had championed visibility and representation of Maori and Pacific peoples within LGBTQI+ spaces. Inside Out, represented by Joseph Habgood, extolled the outstanding work of Tabby Besley and Tan Billingsley for fostering safer school environments and advocating against sexual and domestic violence.
The event also took breaks, reminding attendees of the social and communal aspects, inviting them to mingle and refresh themselves. As part of the occasion, a commemorative booklet was mentioned, containing only 80 copies, likely encompassing stories and achievements within the rainbow community.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
Voices
Tags
2010s, amanduh la whore, aotearoa new zealand, armstrong and arthur charitable trust for lesbians, awards, box events, carl greenwood, community, connor meiklejohn, ellen faed, fetu-ole-moana teuila tamapeau, fuimaono karl pulotu-endemann, honours, ian anderson, insideout kōaro, jac lynch, joseph habgood, karakia, kassie hartendorp, kathleen winter, kevin hague, khali philip-barbara, ladyfruit, lesbian information, library and archives centre (lilac), louisa wall, margaret sparrow, mari north, maria macdonald, meow, michelle genet, out in the park (wellington), pat rosier, porleen simmonds, prue hyman, quilted bananas (wellington access radio), rainbow pride community honours (wellington), recognition, school's out (wellington), tabby besley, tarn billingsley, te aka, valda edyvane, volunteer, waitangi teepa, wellington, youth
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