“We do have a very diverse and passionate rainbow community here in Nelson, but there are some who, fully or partly, still choose to have their identity remain a secret.”
The organisers of the Top of the South Pride Festival, which launched on 5 April and will celebrate identity until 21 April, wish to break that stigma by shining a light on the local LGBTQIA+ community to generate a sense of belonging for them.
Nelson Pride committee member Craig Bonnington says it’s still strenuous for affinity groups in Aotearoa’s provincial cities to make their culture visible.
“I have come from roles hosting the likes of Rainbow Auckland… there’s a lot of opportunities for [LGBTQIA+] people in those larger centres, but in the provinces in the past that has been lacking,” he says.
“There is a larger group than what is always visible, and that’s common in some of the provinces because while society has moved forward significantly around acceptance of LGBTQIA+, there is still some reluctance sometimes to come out.
“I know that, from speaking to a lot of people in our community, they still sometimes feel the need to internalise… and they will often test the waters to see what level of acceptance there is anytime they interact with a particular new group, whether it’s professionally or socially.”
Craig says the events throughout the festival will give local LGBTQIA+ people the chance to become comfortable with their identity, and particularly for youth that it’s a sign of acceptance and that they are not alone.
The events to date have included an exhibition of artworks by regional LGBTQIA+ artists and a drag garment display at the Refinery ArtSpace.
Craig says the anchor event will be Speak Out on 12 April, which plays host to nationwide speakers who have dedicated advocacy and grassroots community service to rainbow communities.
Go here for more information about the Top of the South Pride Festival.
