Join Us in Celebrating Our Community Heroes!

MEDIA RELEASE - for immediate release, 6 February 2015

Join Us in Celebrating Our Community Heroes!

Wellington’s rainbow* communities will celebrate their local heroes this week in the lead-up to the queer fair on Valentines Day.

Out in the Park chair Virginia Parker-Bowles said a glamorous event celebrating people’s contribution was long overdue for Wellington LGBTI communities.

“We all want to acknowledge the people who make our communities thrive.”

Nineteen groups have named about 40 individuals they want to recognise at the Rainbow Pride Community Honours ceremony, at Meow Bar, Edward Street Precinct, on Tuesday night.

Youth group leaders, volunteers with welfare and cultural groups, community event organ-isers, sportspeople, and singers are among those being recognised.

Post-humous honours are also being made to acknowledge Porleen Simmonds and Pat Rosier who both passed away last year.

Details of the honours recipients will be announced on the Out in the Park website following the event.

“Rainbow Pride will give us a platform to celebrate people’s contribution with a depth that hasn’t been offered before,” Parker-Bowles said.

“We want to shine a light on those whose efforts are important but may not be widely known, as well as people already recognised as community leaders.”

Rainbow Pride aimed to inspire volunteering and participation and a better understanding of groups working in the rainbow communities.

“We expect Rainbow Pride to grow in both significance and glamour over the next few years in the lead up to future Out in the Park fairs.”

The event is open to the public with a cover charge ($5 - $10), Meow Bar, Edward Street Precinct. Doors open at 6.30pm, the ceremony is from 7 to 10pm.

Out in the Park fair is at Waitangi Park from 11am on Saturday 14 February.

*lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, takaatapui, faafafine, queer and intersex

For information about the event contact honours@outinthepark.co.nz or see www.outinthepark.co.nz/honours.

ENDS

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