Tonight I was fortunate to be in Auckland for the switching on of the rainbow lights to mark the closing week of the Auckland Pride Festival. This is my first New Zealand Pride after attending San Francisco Pride in 2012, and I am so thrilled to have been able to make it to now two events, and by the time the close rolls around on Saturday night I will have then made it to at least four. Not bad for a country bumpkin from the North!
Sometimes as a loud and proud out gay-man living in a rural community it can feel as though I am on a ship that is traveling down a river, against the current that is taking all of the other boats in the opposite direction. We’re all in the same stream but I just can’t seem to steer my boat the right way, and occasionally I’ll bump into other boats along the way and the Captain might point it out to me.
To say that it’s bothered me that people often see my sexuality before they see me would be an understatement. It’s often on the fringe of discussion and has made me uncomfortable because nobody really wants to feel as though they don’t fit in. I’m lucky to have found people along the way that accept me for who I am and all of my quirks. There have been times when I wished I wasn’t as loud as I am, or speak the way that I do, but over the years I’ve learned to accept myself for me, and that acceptance of myself came from finding other people who loved those things too.
This is what I love about the Pride Festival. Being here has reminded me that I am part of a large community that I have for the most part kept away from, mainly because of geography. Standing on the steps of the Auckland Museum tonight listening to history-maker Louisa Wall speak resonated with me, as did being there to watch as Tamati Coffey flipped the switch to light up the Auckland Museum.
This community feels welcoming, inviting and just like coming home. I feel so very full of Pride! No matter your sexual orientation, always hold your head high. In reference to a great lyric from the Heather Small song, “What have you done today to make you feel proud”?
Today Sounds Like…
In 2012 Ellie Goulding released her album, ‘Halcyon’. She then re-released this in 2013 with extra tracks and one of my favourites from this set is called ‘My Blood’. I hadn’t heard this song for a little while and then it just kept popping up over the past week so I definitely take it as a sign that it’s meant to be on the list. I love how her voice sounds different in the verses to that beautiful airy but powerful almost wood-wind instrument quality she usually sings with. Click the image to listen to ‘My Blood’ on Spotify.
The Ilum 