Category: Opinion

Dec 11
All I Want for Christmas is… A Little More LGBT PDA

Dion Skinner wants to see more public affection displayed by LGBT couples this Christmas, and all year round. Coming out into the Auckland scene only three years ago, I realise I’m yet to see it all. One thing I haven’t seen much of Public Displays of Affection (PDAs) between LGBT couples. Anywhere. Currently, I work […]

Dec 06
Opinion: How Extremists Hijacked the Auckland Pride Board, Railroaded a Community and Demolished Our Parade

The uniformed police ban was phase one in a campaign to sabotage the Auckland Pride parade as we know it.  For the past six years, New Zealanders from across the LGBT spectrum have gathered along Ponsonby Road in February to celebrate our community and our achievements. It’s been a celebration of the right to be […]

Nov 21
Representing the Real Rainbow

Yesterday it was Westpac, today it’s Vodafone – as supporters flee the Auckland Pride Parade; Michael Stevens surveys the damage and explains why the Pride Board have gotten this so wrong. Sometimes people talk about the Rainbow Community as if we are one, but the current anger and distress at the Pride Board’s decisions around […]

Nov 14
Auckland Pride & NZ Police: Why Minority Opinions Matter More Than Ever

Codee MacDonald believes the Pride Board are trying to protect the most marginalised and vulnerable in our community and feels we should all be united with them. On the 9th of November, The Auckland Pride Board announced the decision that they would be banning NZ Police/Corrections from wearing their uniform while walking in the Auckland […]

Oct 13
It’s time to remove outdated discrimination against LGBT kids

Yesterday the Sydney Morning Herald released the 20 recommendations from the Religious Freedom Review headed by Phillip Ruddock, leaving LGBTI advocates and human rights experts concerned about future discrimination for LGBTI people. Anna Brown, director of legal advocacy with the Human Rights Law Centre and co-chair of the Equality Campaign, said: “Australians voted for fairness […]

Sep 29
Ask Agony Uncle Eli

Rainbow Counsellor Elijah Michel is here to help you I’ve just discovered my son is gay. That’s not a bad thing in itself, but he’s only just turned 12 and I’m lesbian. People will think I’ve influenced him because he’s been raised by two women. Surely 12 is too young for him to know if […]

Sep 29
Ask Agony Uncle Eli

Rainbow Counsellor Elijah Michel is here to help you. I wish my partner would understand I don’t want to talk when I get home from work. As soon as my car pulls up he comes out and starts telling me all about his day at home (he’s currently between jobs) and what he’s read on […]

Sep 29
My Pronoun Matters

Actor and Director Adam Rowe asks not to be defined by gender but respected as ‘me’. My relationship with pronouns is messy. In fact, I find language as a whole to be fraught with potholes. Stay with me for a moment – things might get a bit tricky. Words are the frames that we draw […]