She has teamed up with Denise Damiani, the manager of CHB Business Association and owner of De’s Cavern and this week, launched a “safe shopping” campaign in Waipukurau so others in the LGBTQIA+ community feel comfortable.
“It’s aimed more towards the rainbow community, because there is still a lot of discrimination around transgender people not being able to use changing rooms and things like that.”
Pearce said there were common misconceptions and discriminatory behaviour that had made her uncomfortable when out in public.
“It’s hard enough for us to deal with it, without having people from the outside look down on you, especially when they don’t know what our journey has comprised of.
“De and I decided to put our heads together and think of how we could come up with an idea to give people in the rainbow community a safe environment to shop.”
He said there had been an amazing response from retailers who wanted to be involved.
“People have been reaching out to us. We have had businesses in Waipawa reach out ... I’m in awe of it, and I didn’t expect it to take off like it has.
“It just shows they are open-minded, they are caring, and they want to welcome anyone, whether they be gay, transgender, or cisgender ... they care about their customers, and that’s a huge thing.”
Damiani said thr campaign was set up due to the demand to clearly show which shops were happy to invite anyone into their shops.
“You might be thinking this is a bit over the top, however, health centres in Hawke’s Bay have expressed the need and concerns of safer shopping for their clients.”
She said the CHB Business Association felt it was something that the town could offer, and 17 retailers had signed up, with more eager to join.
“We wanted to design a sticker that was not just about LGBTQIA+ but also about anti-bullying, keeping it simple with the ‘safe shopping’ words with a rainbow heart.”
Damiani said pamphlets would be distributed within health centres and community spaces across the region, with businesses able to be added to the list.
Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley attended the launch of the Safe Shopping campaign, alongside Councillors Gerard Minehan, Kirsty Lawrence and Amiria Nepe-Apatu.
“It was really heartbreaking to hear Amber’s story at the launch,” Foley said.
“To hear how welcome people in Central Hawke’s Bay have made her feel, compared to where she had come from, it made us all really proud to live in a district that welcomes everyone.”
He said it was a great initiative and welcomed and supported anything that encouraged people from within and outside the district to support Central Hawke’s Bay businesses and do their shopping here.
Businesses involved so far:
- Cool Things and Accessories
- Ruataniwha Fast Food
- SPCA Op Shop
- E-Central Flowers
- Polly’s Toy’s and Gifts
- Guthrie Bowron
- Paper Plus
- Diahann Boutique
- Story’s Clothing
- Unichem Waipukurau
- Amarvia Blue
- Fishing & Shooting CHB Ltd
- Curtis Fabrics
- Food for Thought Organics
- De’s Cavern
- Peek-A-Boo
- Complete Flooring Group
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.
