Pride Month in Aotearoa (Auckland Edition!)
We have made it through the first month of 2023 and are now heading into Auckland’s pride month, so happy Pride month! Listed below are some free and ticketed events happening throughout the month of Feb. If you aren’t in Auckland, there is also Pride month for Wellington happening 4th-18th March, Tauranga has their Pride week 6th-11th March. Other cities across Aotearoa celebrate at different times, if you are interested in knowing more, check out this Stuff article. Regardless of where you are, it's time to bust out your flags and join the festivities!
It is important to understand why Pride happens and how it can help to create safe spaces for many queer people. Olivia Yates expands on this in her article, Celebrating Pride, Countering Shame: The Importance of Pride (Month) for Queer Christians. Particularly in the last year or so, the media has shone a light on the aggression and hatred many queer people can face: the burning down of a Rainbow Youth space, defacing a queer Church in Greymouth, anti-LGBTQIA+ documents and bullying at a school, harassment in many small towns, and the treatment of many transgender people in our healthcare system. This is not including the many shootings and horrific mistreatment queer people face outside of Aotearoa. It is in light of this environment that Pride is so important and special: it is a time of joy, celebration and safety. A time where those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community can come together be themselves, laugh, dance, and celebrate despite the hatred, ugliness, and discrimination many may face.
Events: (all events and more are listed on https://aucklandpride.org.nz/) Due to the weather in Tāmaki Makaurau please make sure to check individual event pages as to whether they will be going ahead or not.
Pride festival is being opened with Whakatūwheratanga. “The Auckland Pride Festival 2023 opens with a dawn blessing, acknowledging our locality to Tāmaki Makaurau, both in our contemporary urban experience and in the intergenerational reverence we hold towards the mana of the whenua; Rangipuke, Te Wai O Horotiu, Te Waitematā, Tīkapa Moana and the wider Tāmaki Makaurau rohe (region), on which our festival activates. “ - Feb 4th, 7am, Albert Park Caretakers Cottage
Art Chemist - Feb 2nd 5pm at the Studio One Toi Tū - Karangahape Pop Up site, as part of first Thursdays on Karangahape Road & every weekend of February 11am-5pm at the Albert Park Caretakers' Cottage
Queers and Wares market - Feb 2nd , 5:00PM, George Court Foyer
Glow Youth Pride Party for 12-24 years old - Feb 3rd, 8:00PM, Ellen Melville Centre
Rainbow book swap - Feb 4th 2:00PM, Parnell Library (bring a list of your favourite queer books)
Pride Family board games - Feb 5th 12:00PM, Ellen Melville Centre (bring your favourite board game along to play)
Inclusion: being disabled in the LGBTQIA+ community panel - Feb 9th 7:00PM, Ellen Melville Centre
Crafts: embroidery- Feb 12th 12:00PM, Studio One Toi Tū - Karangahape Pop Up
Big Gay Out - Feb 12th 12pm Coyle Park
Understanding Conversion Therapy - Feb 13th 6:30PM, Ellen Melville Centre & Feb 24th 6:00PM, Te Manawa
Pride march, this year focuses on solidarity with those part of the Intersex community - Feb 18th 2pm starting on Lorne Street
Pride in the Square, DJ’s, drag artists and musicians - Feb 24th 4pm & Feb 25th 10am Aotea Square.
There are so many more events than what is listed here, including many drag shows, comedy shows, magic shows, raves, dances and balls that tickets need to be purchased.
Many free events for pride can be watching movies, brunches, other crafts or checking out art exhibits. Check out https://aucklandpride.org.nz/ to see them all and get along!!
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Rosie Fleming is editor at Metanoia.