Inclusivity vs ‘mountains of hate’

Erika and Coco Flash talking to rangatahi about what they do and thanking them for coming to the event. Picture by Paul RIckard

Rainbow story time in Gisborne went ahead, albeit with a group protesting the event and another showing support for the rainbow community.

Rainbow story time is an event created by drag queens Erika (Daniel Lockett) and Coco Flash (Sunita Torrance) who are invited by libraries and other organisations to read stories, lip sync and sing for youth aged 16 and up.

They read the book Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae.

These events have been targeted by Destiny Church members. In Rotorua and Hastings they were cancelled because of threats of violence. In Gisborne, it went ahead with Gisborne District Council, police and community support.

About 15 members of the rainbow community and allies set up at the Bright Street side of HB Williams Memorial Library on Tuesday and faced off with a similar number of Destiny Church members with placards that had messages like “save our children” “don’t let drag queens perform for kids”.

Gisborne Destiny Church leader Leighton Packer told the crowd the drag queens were “sexualising children”.

They also spoke about other issues, like the Israel and Palestine conflict, Covid-19 pandemic and the wages of Gisborne District councillors and mayor.

Those who supported the rainbow story time and community, which included Haley Maxwell, said the rainbow community was supported by Tairāwhiti, that they were important and should feel safe.

Those who supported the event were in their own form of drag —dressed in rainbows, with painted faces and placards that had messages of support.

As the protest continued, more supporters started to show up until there were about 100 people in support of the event and about 40 against it.

Those in support were from all sorts of backgrounds — old, young, gay, straight, trans, cis, pākehā, Māori, tauiwi. Those against were made up of Destiny Church members, other church members and others.

The groups stood close to each other, those in support yelling messages such “they are born this way” and a chant of “rainbow rights”.

Some of the people against the event pushed those in support. One was a teenager, whose sign was pushed down as she was yelled and sworn at by an older woman.

A man who supported the event was pushed over by a Destiny Church member.

Members of the public who were registered to attend the event made their way into the library.

Shari Kimberly, Liam Duncan and Dani Hegarty attended the story time event and also counter-protested against those who wanted it cancelled.

“I’m here for the youth who are supposed to be represented today, but instead are receiving mountains of hate.

“Gisborne is supposed to be a really inclusive place and seeing stuff like this really sucks. I am a bisexual person. I feel deeply for our rainbow community,” Shari said.

Liam said, “I’m here to support love and fight back against hate. I feel bad for them (against the event) as they are misinformed by social media and whatnot. I think it’s important for people in Gisborne to show support for the rainbow community.”

Irirangi Te Kani stood in front of those against the event with a large rainbow flag, standing silent most of the time and not moving.

“It’s simple really, I’m here for my family. I’m here for what’s right. People should be allowed to have the right to love whoever they want to love; that’s what’s right.

“It’s not up to me, you or Tom Jones down the road to decide. I’m not sure how Destiny Church falls into the line of being Christian,” Irirangi said.

Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga was there, along with other GDC staff who wanted to show support.

Mr Wharehinga said the library was for the whole community, including the rainbow community.

“Some outside influence wants them to not access it and that’s wrong,” he said.

“I’ve come here as a human being and member of Gizzy to stand alongside the Rainbow community, and show they are welcome here.

“As a council, as a community, we are inclusive and diverse. It’s important that they see themselves in the community. A lack of representation has taken lives in our community and country.

“To our rangatahi, you are beautifully and wonderfully made. We love you and there is always space for you in this community,” he said.

By 5pm the groups had dispersed and those who attended the event in the library left feeling supported and loved.