Brian Tamaki, the leader of Destiny Church and self-appointed “Bishop”, has announced plans to take legal action against various councils and libraries throughout New Zealand, accusing them of engaging in “rainbow-washing”.
This declaration follows an incident where the church took credit for covering a rainbow pedestrian crossing with white paint. Tamaki, his wife Hannah, and their followers aim to challenge the alleged misuse of ratepayer funds, especially in Auckland, for supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives, including Drag Queen Storytime events.
Tamaki’s contentious stance has sparked responses from multiple city officials, emphasising their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown criticised the group for not contributing to ratepayers while causing damage. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, among others, have voiced their support for the LGBTQ+ community and their cities’ inclusivity efforts, dismissing the claims and actions of Tamaki and his followers.
Amid these legal threats, Tamaki has also accused councils of financial mismanagement, prioritising LGBTQ+ related events and symbols over essential services and infrastructure. This controversy comes when Tamaki faces potential legal challenges from drag queens Erika and CoCo Flash over alleged misinformation about their events. The situation highlights the ongoing debate over the use of public funds and the promotion of inclusivity initiatives in New Zealand.
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