For the first time, MPs won’t be taking the stage at Auckland’s Big Gay Out this year. Instead, event organizers are rethinking how they engage with politicians to better advocate for the rainbow community and ensure its safety.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities, running during Pride Month in February, is a major highlight for over 10,000 attendees. This year’s event, hosted by the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, takes place on February 16.
Why the Change?
Burnett Foundation says the decision allows the mainstage to focus entirely on talent while still encouraging politicians to attend as guests.
“Politicians are more than welcome to come, and we’ll brie
f them on our advocacy priorities for the event,” said Alex Anderson, the foundation’s interim general manager. “But this year, the stage is just for performers.”
Advocacy efforts will continue through direct engagement with MPs, along with stalls set up by two opposition parties in the ANZ Big Gay Marketplace.
Anderson added that the foundation’s priorities for the event have been developed in collaboration with the Rainbow Support Collective and other community organizations, but he didn’t reveal specific details yet.
Past Controversies
This change follows years of heated debates about political participation in Pride events. Last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon left the Big Gay Out early after being confronted by protesters. When asked if that incident influenced the decision, Burnett Foundation declined to comment.
In previous years, political parties were given stage time to speak directly to the crowd. Labour MP Shanan Halbert, the party’s spokesperson for rainbow issues, expressed disappointment at the shift.
“Pride is political,” Halbert said. “It’s a chance to hold politicians accountable and hear their plans for our community. That said, I respect the decision of the Burnett Foundation.”
Labour plans to attend the event and the Pride Parade to keep the conversation going about positive change for rainbow communities.
Current Political Climate
The coalition government is already making changes that affect LGBTQIA+ communities. Some notable moves include:
- Public consultation on regulating puberty blockers in gender-affirming care.
- A review of transgender inclusion in community sports led by Sport NZ.
- A rewrite of the relationships and sexuality education curriculum, the first update in nearly 20 years.
While politicians won’t be taking the mainstage, they’ll still have plenty of opportunities to engage with the community throughout the day. For now, the spotlight at Big Gay Out is firmly on the performers and the vibrant rainbow spirit that makes the event so special.
