Hubbard makes amends at gay community festival

Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard gets a kiss from drag queen Queenie Aotearoa at the Big Gay Out in Pt Chevalier. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Mayor Dick Hubbard managed to bury the hatchet at his first outing in the gay and lesbian community yesterday after falling out of favour for signing a letter criticising the civil unions legislation.

Yesterday he joined the crowds at Pt Chevalier's Coyle Park at the Big Gay Out, and told the crowd it was appropriate to have such a day in Auckland's calendar.

He has already apologised for signing the letter, which stirred up anger in the gay community.

Amid a full day of entertainment, Mr Hubbard said he was impressed with how well it was organised.

"I was received very well and with warmth ... I would certainly be delighted to be along there next year and I understand I am the first mayor to have gone to such a function in some time."

Rachael de Mesurier, executive director of NZ Aids Foundation, which organised the BGO, said Mr Hubbard had received a "lukewarm" reception at first, but she was pleased he had supported the event.

"It was a first step for him, coming to Big Gay Out. But the next 12 months will be a time when the lesbian and gay community will be watching him carefully."

While Mr Hubbard might have been willing to put aside his old beefs, other Christians were not.

Justin Pearce and his wife had come from Titirangi with placards and stood in the midst of the crowd while Mr Pearce, a born-again Christian from the Independent Baptist Church, preached.

Their presence met with some anger. He was pushed and his signs ruined.

He told the Herald he knew he would be unwelcome. Holding a placard with "God Hates Homosexuality" on it, he said he was there to preach the Gospel rather than to protest against homosexuality.

"We take offence at what is going on here. This is a family park and we believe the Bible says explicitly that homosexuality is a sin."

In a reverse protest, the Labour Party tent included a fundraising game called "Drown a Bigot".

Inside was a rough caricature of Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki atop a replica Harbour Bridge which people could try to tip into a paddling pool by tossing a coin.

The crowd around Mr Pearce jostled and yelled, but tactics were entertaining rather than violent.

An accordionist tried to drown Mr Pearce out by striking a discordant note whenever Mr Pearce opened his mouth.

Others, including the Topp Twins, tried scare tactics such as hugging Mr Pearce.

Cries of "shame, shame" and "go home" failed, and when people tried to crowd him over to the edge, he began singing "Jesus Loves Me".

Paul, an HIV-positive gay man from Hamilton, said he was not annoyed at Mr Pearce's presence, but was hurt that the day was disrupted.

"This day is just a vessel for gay and HIV-positive people to feel a bit wanted. I just want him to see me as a real person, not something that is derided in a book that isn't even correct."