Auckland Council is encouraging Aucklanders to come together to support and celebrate rainbow communities across Tāmaki Makaurau for Auckland Pride Festival month in February.
As part of its Pride Pledge commitment, Auckland Council community spaces are Proud Centres – places that celebrate and champion takatāpui and rainbow communities throughout the year.
During February, 45 Proud Centres are hosting Pride activations, making Pride celebrations accessible to local communities region wide. There will be 130 free Auckland Pride Festival events and activities at Proud Centres, from Albany in the north through to Takaanini in the south; Botany in the east to Te Manawa in the west.
Councillor Julie Fairey, Chair of Auckland Council’s Community Committee, says Auckland Council strives to champion respect and inclusivity.
“We know that giving everyone a sense of belonging and connection, and chances to participate, improves mental and physical hauora. Auckland Council has a responsibility to make our city safe and inclusive for all our residents, and Proud Centres help us to fly a flag of solidarity for our queer community members,” said Cr Fairey.
“All Aucklanders should be able to be themselves in Tāmaki Makaurau and be treated with dignity and respect. I look forward to supporting Pride events across our city this February.”
This year, Auckland Pride Festival has gifted Proud Centres the usage of its theme of Ngā Uri E, “which acknowledges ancestors’ journeys and struggles and the whakapapa that binds us and acknowledges that we are all tangata whenua, tauiwi, and manuhiri together”.
“Proud Centres are spaces where those relationships are strengthened, celebrated, and carried forward,” said Partnership Manager for Auckland Pride Inc, Blaise Clotworthy.
“As we commemorate 40 years of Homosexual Law Reform in Aotearoa, for the first time Auckland Council and Auckland Pride have formally acknowledged their continued partnership that unequivocally recognises the unique social and artistic contributions of rainbow communities throughout Tāmaki Makaurau and their undeniable impact on the social wellbeing and cultural identity of this city.”
Proud Centre activities:
- Clothing Swap at Highland Park Library, 10.30am, 1 February. Free tickets here.
- Express Yourself: Badge Making for the Whānau at Botany Library, 3-5pm, 3 February (all ages) and 10 February (for ages 12+). Free. All materials provided.
- SOMEWHERE FRUITCAKE: a queer*trans movement experiments workshop at Grey Lynn Library, 6pm, 11 February. Free. Tickets available here.
- Flow with Pride: Te Atatū Peninsula Yoga & Pilates presented by PrideFest Out West at Te Atatū Peninsula Community Hub, 7pm, 2-23 February. Free. Reserve your spot here.
- Author Talk – Douglas Lloyd Jenkins interviewed by Stephanie Johnson at Remuera Library, 6.30pm, 26 February. Free. Please register to attend by calling Remuera Library on 09 890 8607, emailing remueralibrary@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or speak to one of the friendly librarians at the desk.
Visit aucklandpride.co.nz for the full Auckland Pride Festival programme.
