Jacinda Ardern has become New Zealand’s first prime minister to march in the country’s gay pride parade, joining thousands of people at the colourful event on Auckland’s Ponsonby Road.
This year’s parade was the largest yet. More than 70 floats and about 3500 participants, including ones made by the rainbow community, political parties, universities and businesses, supported the LGBTTQI community in Auckland last night.
The pride parade – now in its sixth year – marks the final celebration for the two-week long Auckland Pride Festival, which has showcased more than 85 musical, theatre and discussion events.
The Prime Minister said the parade was “fantastic” and “wonderful” and it felt like it was bigger than every before.
The event was a great opportunity to celebrate diversity and connect with young people. Ms Ardern said the parade showed there is a lot of support for the LGBTQI communities.
“And ultimately this is a parade about diversity and inclusiveness. And I’m really proud of the work the team has done to make that real over the years and in our laws.” she added.
“Those people are growing up all over New Zealand,” Ms Ardern said. They needed to feel “safe” and “supported” and the parade sent a strong message to those groups.
Several previous prime ministers have attended the parade, however parade organisers said it was the first time a prime minister had walked in the parade.
Organisers have urged Ms Ardern to include gender identity as an unlawful basis for discrimination in the Human Rights Act.
Chief executive of RainbowYOUTH, Frances Arns, said the parade was mostly now a celebration, but had a “dual purpose” of being a platform to spread important messages”.
Police also took part in the parade with a special Rainbow-decorated police car created to mark New Zealand Police’s commitment to diversity and to acknowledge the important relationship between police and New Zealand’s Rainbow community.
>Juthy Saha
Jacinda Ardern the First New Zealand PM in Gay Pride Parade
Will You Support Our Work?
People turns to WhatsOn to understand what's goingOn? We have been empowering through hope & understanding for the last forty years. We’re an independent social enterprise & our journalism is powered by our supporters. Financial contributions from our readers allows us to keep our journalism free for all & to change the world for better. Please support us, with your donation - no matter how small. Your donation makes a real difference, it empowers our activist & academy, and engages wider community groups, & universities - connecting more people. WhatsOn is a change maker, let’s get our future back together!
