It’s been a long time coming for Nelson’s very own Pride Week.
When Nelson Pride coordinator Aimée Borlase first arrived in Nelson in late 2016 she struggled to find an established group of like-minded and queer-friendly individuals.
Now she’s organising Nelson’s first Pride Week with Nelson Pride.
Nelson Pride is a safe space for adult locals and travellers of all genders and sexualities who would like to meet new people and be part of an LGBTQIA+ community.
“Nelson Pride is really important to me,” says Aimée.
“When I came to Nelson, one of the first things I looked for was a queer-friendly place and we didn’t have much.”
Q Youth, a local support and advocacy group for young Nelsonians and their whānau, were eager to start a pride week a few years ago. Though after some deliberation they realised they didn’t have the funds or resources to put that plan into motion.
Now in 2021, Nelson Pride has taken the reins and from Wednesday Nelson joins the likes of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Whangarei in hosting a pride week.
“It’s important to remember that pride is about celebration but also about protest,” Aimée says.
“We’re the people around you, we’re not out in the fringes. It’s about making sure that we feel visible, it’s about waving a flag and saying ‘we are here’.”
Pride Week kicked off with a Pride History night with Nelson’s “pride pioneers” Peter Finlayson and Pete Banham as part of Tuku 21 Whakatū Heritage Month.
Peter Finlayson has been active in the queer community since the early gay liberation days in Auckland and Nelsonian Pete Banham now operates Autumn Farm, a queer accommodation venue in Takaka.
Q Youth Nelson is hosting an open night on Thursday and to anyone who wanted to meet the team, ask questions and get resources. On Saturday night, Nelson will be treated to a Drag Bingo night with renowned drag queen ‘Felicity Frockaccino’.
Felicity says she is equally excited as she is surprised to hear the event sold out last week.
“I wasn’t even expecting to get bingo happening, let alone sell-out. It’s not a big city and because Nelson is considered, dare I say, ‘conservative’, I thought it would be a long shot, but I’m so grateful and I’m really excited to come down.”
Felicity says contestants can expect “a lot of laughs and expect to leave with sore cheeks” this Saturday at Nelson Musical Theatre, who have gifted the venue free of charge.
The festivities end on Sunday with a Pride Potluck Picnic at Tāhunanui Beach - a free event open to all rainbow community members and allies.
Aimée says this week is just the beginning for Nelson Pride Week with the aim of a pride parade in coming years.
“It’s super exciting to start something for the future, we want to see pride week get bigger and bolder every year.”
