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Funding for the Auckland Pride Parade in 2015 and 2016 was recently confirmed by ATEED as part of its Major Events Portfolio.
Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated Co-chair, Megan Cunningham-Adams, says ATEED’s support is a real vote of confidence in Pride.
“It speaks volumes about the future potential of the Parade as a vehicle for expression and celebration for our Rainbow Community,” says Cunningham-Adams.
ATEED’s sponsorship of the Auckland Pride Festival aligns with Auckland’s Major Events Strategy, delivering both social and economic benefits to the city.
ATEED Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley, says ATEED is delighted to support the Pride Parade, which has helped establish Auckland as a vibrant events city.
“The Pride Parade has quickly established itself as an important event for Aucklanders and visitors to our city, and is a colourful celebration of our diverse Rainbow Community.
“Events like the Pride Parade contribute towards our vision of creating the world’s most liveable city, and we look forward to watching it go from strength to strength.”
The Auckland Pride Festival and Parade was one of 47 applicants to ATEED’s Major Events Baseline Portfolio for 2014-2015.
Auckland Pride Festival and Parade 2015 Dates Announced
Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated is delighted to announce the dates for next year’s Auckland Pride Festival 2015.
The annual programme of events for New Zealand’s Rainbow Community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Takatãpui, Intersex and Fa’afafine) will be lengthened by one week in 2015 to accommodate the increasing number of events that are proud to be featured within the Festival.
The Auckland Pride Festival 2015 will commence on Friday 6 February and will conclude on Sunday 1 March. Now established as a landmark Auckland event, the Auckland Pride Parade 2015 will return to Ponsonby Road on Saturday 21 February.
The Festival will officially open with a Waitangi Day Dawn Ceremony on Friday 6 February and the glittering Auckland Pride Gala at Q Theatre on Saturday 7 February. The ever-popular LYC Big Gay Out has been confirmed for Sunday 8 February at Coyle Park in Point Chevalier. Internationally renowned Bear New Zealand Week 2015 will run from Sunday 8 to Sunday 15 February. The Heroic Gardens Festival 2015 takes place on the weekend of 14 and 15 February. The Festival will close with the much-loved PROUD Party on Saturday 28 February.
Dates are also being discussed for the return of the inspirational, United States Embassy funded Youth Leaders Conference, NXT:15, among other favourite Festival events.
Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated will continue its work with Rainbow Communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and beyond to facilitate participation in the 2015 Festival and Parade.
“We know that Auckland is a hub for our Rainbow sisters and brothers from around the country and from the South Pacific region, especially those from places which are less tolerant of diversity and differing sexual orientations and identities,” says newly appointed board member Phylesha Brown-Acton. “We want to embrace them and let them know that they are welcomed, they are celebrated and they are respected. Pride is not just a Parade and Festival, it is about enhancing the mana and wellbeing of our Rainbow Community.”
New Board Members Appointed to Auckland Pride Festival Inc.
Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Board members – Phylesha Brown-Acton, Heather Carnegie, Daniel Mussett and Paul Patton.
Born of Niuean decent and raised in Auckland Central, Phylesha Brown-Acton is a “proud Aucklander and promoter of this great city” and a respected advocate for Pasefika LGBTQI communities.
“When I think of Pride, I think of people,” says Brown-Acton. “I think of the rich and diverse community we all belong to. People are what I am most passionate about, and this is what brings me to the Pride board, not only to support a great vision which embraces our Rainbow Community, but also to offer my skills to connect people through culture, identity and celebration.”
Brown-Acton has worked for LGBTQI communities regionally, nationally and internationally, for over two decades. She currently manages a support service developed for Pasefika LGBTQI peoples and their families.
Heather Carnegie is a previous executive member of GABA (Gay Auckland Business Association), overseeing events including the GABA Glamstand at this year’s Auckland Pride Parade. Carnegie has strong relationships throughout New Zealand’s Rainbow Community, having run LGBT businesses such as Footsteps Nightclub in Auckland and Glamz! Cabaret in Hamilton. She is also the proud winner of a gold medal in sparring and a bronze medal in self-defence at the 2002 Sydney Gay Games.
Daniel Musset is active in the institutional investment community and currently heads up the New Zealand consulting division of a global investment services firm. He consults to the boards of large investment funds nationwide and has published on both strategic investment issues and governance. Daniel has had wide-ranging involvement in the not-for-profit sector since he was a teenager. He brings management experience, strategic thinking, an emphasis on inclusion and diversity, and a sense of fun to the Pride Board.
Paul Patton is an experienced strategic PR and brand professional, having worked for 25 years as a consultant and in-house communications director in the UK and New Zealand. He was recognised for his communication work for Manchester Pride by being awarded an Institute of Public Relations Silver Award for the Best Charity or Not For Profit Campaign. Paul is looking to engage his communications skills and experience to help make Pride 2015 an even better experience for the whole community.
Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated congratulates and welcomes its new Board members onto the team. “We are thrilled to have attracted applicants of such a high professional calibre and proven community experience,” says Megan Cunningham-Adams, current Board Co-Chair. “There is no doubt that their input will help raise the bar for 2015!”
Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated wishes to thank outgoing Board members David Coltman, Andy Jalfon and Gurv Singh. Linda Heavey will also step down as Treasurer to take up a non-voting advisory role, representing the Board as part of the Auckland Pride Festival management team.
The post appeared first on Major events funding confirmed for Auckland Pride Parade .

Paws with Pride, at Leazes Park, Newcastle, will feature a whole host of animal-based attractions, with activities running from 11.30am until 4.30pm on Sunday August 3.
This includes a fun Companion Dog Show, […]

Paws with Pride, at Leazes Park, Newcastle, will feature a whole host of animal-based attractions, with activities running from 11.30am until 4.30pm on Sunday August 3.
This includes a fun Companion Dog Show, where entrants compete in more than a dozen categories, including Waggiest Tail, Feeliest Fur and Cheekiest Expression, and the annual Gay Walkies parade, with dogs of all breeds donning fancy dress for a walk around the park in aid of various animal charities.
The Paws with Pride event, part of leading LGBT festival, Newcastle Pride, will also feature agility and flyball displays by the North Northumberland Dog Training Club, as well as pony rides, alpacas and birds of prey displays.
A small animal petting zoo will also be in operation throughout the afternoon, alongside a Wild Things Roadshow by Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre, a reptile house and the chance for children to take a ride in a small carriage drawn by Shetland ponies.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, which organises the event, said: “Northern Pride is all about inclusivity and the Paws with Pride event offers people the chance to enjoy a fun day out with all the family, including their beloved pets.”
For more information about Paws with Pride, including timings and entry charges, visit http://www.northern-pride.com/event/paws or follow @northernprideuk on Twitter.
The post appeared first on Paws With Pride At Unique Pet Show .

Ruth Hunt has been Acting CEO of the charity since February this year and before that, was Deputy Chief Executive. She joined the charity in 2005 as a Senior Policy Officer, having begun her career at the […]

Ruth Hunt has been Acting CEO of the charity since February this year and before that, was Deputy Chief Executive. She joined the charity in 2005 as a Senior Policy Officer, having begun her career at the Equality Challenge Unit. Her appointment concludes a comprehensive and transparent search, throwing up a strong set of candidates from which Ruth emerged as the clear winner.
During her time at Stonewall, Ruth has been instrumental in developing Stonewall’s work to change hearts and minds – beyond legislative change – helping to establish a strong evidence base for activity and developing pioneering campaigns including Stonewall’s Education for All campaign. As Acting Chief Executive, Ruth has demonstrated her strong commitment to ensuring all LGBT communities, both here and abroad, are included and involved in Stonewall’s work going forward.
Jan Gooding, Stonewall’s Chair of Trustees, said: ‘Ruth is an outstanding choice for Stonewall – a bold leader with a naturally collaborative approach and a clear vision. Stonewall is 25 this year and at an exciting time in its evolution. We are justifiably proud of our achievements in equal rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the UK and now the charity is ready to begin a new chapter. Ruth has amply demonstrated that she has the right skills and experience to take us forward, helping us achieve real and lasting social change.’
Ruth Hunt said: ‘I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead Stonewall, a highly-respected organisation that is synonymous with achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. It is full of committed, intelligent and creative people and I am very pleased to be heading up such a talented team.
‘There are so many opportunities ahead, as well – of course – as challenges. I look forward to working with Stonewall’s many partners to develop what the team and my predecessors have already achieved, to advance equality and challenge discrimination both throughout the UK and abroad. These goals we share with the lesbian, gay and bisexual community and it’s fundamental that we work together to achieve them.’
Ruth Hunt will take over as Chief Executive immediately and succeeds Ben Summerskill, who stepped down from the post at the end of January 2014.
Stonewall was set up in 1989 as a lobbying group to fight discrimination against lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. Since then, Stonewall has secured the most comprehensive legal rights in the world including marriage and adoption, as well as developing comprehensive programmes of work to achieve social change in spheres including education, health, employment, the criminal justice system and international equality.
The post appeared first on Stonewall announces Ruth Hunt as new Chief Executive .

In co-operation with the famous party venue Gay Village Rome, the delegates will contend in different competitions for a whole week until one of them is titled Mr Gay World 2014.
Mr Gay World is more than a […]

In co-operation with the famous party venue Gay Village Rome, the delegates will contend in different competitions for a whole week until one of them is titled Mr Gay World 2014.
Mr Gay World is more than a beauty contest, it is the toughest job interview in the world! Mr Gay World celebrates the pride and rights of the International Gay Male.
Mr Gay World’s visionary pillars are friendship, diversity and respect! The man selected will be a role model and ambassador for young gay men of the world.
This year the following countries are taking part: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Syria, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela.
Previous host destinations: Whistler (Canada), Oslo (Norway), Manila (The Philippines), Johannesburg (South Africa), Antwerp (Belgium)
Previous winners: Ireland (2009), South Africa (2010), South Africa (2011), New Zealand (2012), New Zealand (2013)
Some of the challenges the delegates will face are a written test, photo session, sports challenge, swim wear competition, online popular vote, art challenge, speech and a strenuous “job interview” in front of seven judges from all over the world.
All the delegates arrive in the eternal city Sunday 24 August, and in addition to the competition and challenges there will also be time for sight-seeing, meeting representatives from the city council and a day at the beach.
“It is with my greatest pleasure we welcome the Delegates to the 2014 Mr Gay World competition. We are proud and happy to be invited to Rome and Gay Village; I can’t wait to see what they have prepared for this year’s competition”, Mr Butter, co-founder and president says. “I hope the delegates will have a great time in the eternal city, feel proud, be inspired, make global contacts and share their stories with us.”
“Gay Village in Rome, the biggest and longest LGBT culture and entertainment event and organization worldwide, is proud to host the 2014 edition of Mr Gay World,“ Gaia Logan, Executive Producer Mr Gay World 2014 Rome states. “Our 13 year experience in entertaining people and smiling all the way through the fight for our rights will surprise the delegates in a positive way and make them proud. We are sure their days with us will be the best time they can have in Rome and we will do all our best to make this happen.”
Visit Mr Gay World web site http://www.mrgayworld.com
Here is a complete list of all the delegates
The post appeared first on Mr Gay World 2014: Here are all the delegates! .

Special Launch, Screening and Panel Discussion
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) are delighted to invite you to a special FREE event that is taking place as part of this year’s GAZE film festival.
The […]

Special Launch, Screening and Panel Discussion
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) are delighted to invite you to a special FREE event that is taking place as part of this year’s GAZE film festival.
The special screening of My Transgender Journey will take place on Friday 1st August at 2.45pm in the Red Room, at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield.
This will be followed by a panel discussion, and we are delighted to announce that panelists include the documentary’s producer Cat Steel; Sam and Louise who were featured in the film; and Broden Giambrone, Chief Executive of TENI, who will discuss the importance of trans visibility. TENI’s Aoife O’Driscoll will Chair proceedings.
TENI are also delighted to announce that ‘I am’, a short film by award winning team Anna Rodgers and Zlata Filipovic, will be launched at the event. This beautiful and poignant film was commissioned by TENI and is a conversational piece which explores identity.
Positive Visibility Matters
This year’s programme contains a number of other trans elements of note. For instance, on Friday 1st August at 4.30, there is a screening of Gaze Gems. This eclectic collection of films primarily looks at trans* and genderqueer lives and loves through the medium of photography, animation, dance and music.
The festival’s gala closing film on Monday 4th August is the award winning 52 Tuesdays. This is a moving feature film that portrays the difficulties that trans people and their families face during the process of transition. TENI today strongly welcomed the visibility of ‘T’ in this year’s festival programme.
“Visibility is incredibly important,” said TENI Chief Executive Broden Giambrone. “Recent mainstream representations of trans characters, such as the depiction of Nuala on RTE’s The Centre, have been dehumanising, insensitive, and transphobic. The documentary My Transgender Journey is a positive representation of the lives of trans people in Ireland, and representations matter. Positive visibility matters, and we are delighted that the GAZE programme puts the T centre stage.”
For Further Information
You can find out more about this year’s GAZE International LGBT Film Festival here.
You can find out more about the special screening and panel discussion here. The event is FREE, and you can collect your tickets on the day at the venue.
My Transgender Journey
Irish Lives: My Transgender Journey tells the story of three people, as they search for a sense of their own identity, strive for acceptance and continue to battle against their own government to be recognised in their true gender. Ireland is currently the only EU member state that does not provide a mechanism for the legal recognition of transgender persons.
In the documentary Sam, Louise and Kay give an up-close and personal account of their transgender journeys and what it is like to live in a country that does not fully accept them.
The post appeared first on Positive Visibility Matters at GAZE Film Festival .

With influences ranging from Fenech-Soler to Enya, and Sade to Roisin Murphy, the band is exploring everything electronically possible. Rob’s self-taught way of creating music and his obsession with Bjork leads […]

The duo once again pays homage to their NYC nightlife roots, featuring appearances by notorious party hosts Rob Ordonez, Kareem McJagger, Brian Mills, YouTube viral video sensation Chelsea Bearce (“Curvy”)…and a […]

Newcastle Pride, the second largest free LGBT festival in the country, is returning with three days of live entertainment from today (Friday July 18), including performances by Sinitta, Shayne Ward and the […]

Newcastle Pride, the second largest free LGBT festival in the country, is returning with three days of live entertainment from today (Friday July 18), including performances by Sinitta, Shayne Ward and the Vengaboys.
To help visitors navigate the extended three-day line-up, which will be spread across two city sites, event organisers Northern Pride have launched the festival’s first ever app.
The app, available to download for i-phone, android and tablet, will serve as a pocket guide to all things Pride, from the best places to eat, drink and stay, to a site map and full details of when and where to see all of this year’s big name acts.
It will also offer the opportunity for users to enjoy their own five minutes of fame, by taking a selfie or group shot to be displayed on the huge screens around the festival’s Main Stage at the Town Moor.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said: “This year is the biggest Newcastle Pride we’ve ever staged and we’re conscious that with the festival being spread across two sites and three days it may be slightly harder to navigate than usual.
“This app has been specifically designed to help visitors make the most of their Pride experience and ensure all of the necessary information is there, at their fingertips, wherever they go.”
As an added incentive for downloading the app, Northern Pride has teamed up with many of the North East’s biggest business to incorporate a range of exclusive offers and discounts, worth up to £1000.
These offers, covering everything from waffles to weddings, will be accessible via the app before, during and after Newcastle Pride, with many being valid for up to a year.
This includes a series of promotions from app sponsors, the Malhotra Group, who will be offering a different discount every month until spring 2015.
These exclusive discounts, which will be automatically updated, could include reduced rates on everything from dinner at Scalini’s to cocktails at Osbornes Bar and Kitchen or an overnight stay at the New Northumbria Hotel.
Atul Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer at the Malhotra Group, said: “Newcastle Pride is a huge event for the city and one which has brought business to our door for many years.
“We wanted to celebrate the festival’s expansion for 2014 by offering a series of special offers via the app, on top of the already affordable prices we offer.
“We hope that this year’s Pride-goers will make the most of those offers and continue to utilise them even once the festival has finished.”
The Newcastle Pride app, which will also include listings of other events being run before and after the three-day festival, is available to download from the Northern Pride website, http://www.northern-pride.com or can be downloaded directly onto android by searching Northern Pride or from the Apple store by searching NPride14.
Each download will cost 99p on android or £1.49 on iTunes, with all proceeds being used to help ensure Pride remains free in future years.
Anyone who downloads the app will be given automatic entry into a free prize draw to win a pair of tickets to the Saturdays’ Greatest Hits Concert at Newcastle City Hall on September 9, courtesy of AEG Live.
For more information or to see full details for this year’s Newcastle Pride, visit http://www.northern-pride.com or follow @NorthernPrideUK on Twitter.
The post appeared first on Time to Get ‘Appy’ At Newcastle Pride .

Sharing a kiss at a nightclub, the two men succumb to their desires, followed by a a lusty roof top encounter where they quickly fall hard for one another. But as their love intensifies, the challenge is not with them but with the unforgiving outside world they exist in… a world they so desperately want to escape from.

Preorder The Last Match at amazon.co.uk
Actors: Reinier Díaz, Milton García, Jenifer Rodríguez
Directors: Antonio Hens
Language: Spanish, Italian
Subtitles: English
The post appeared first on MySoCalledGayLife.co.uk.

Today Advocate General Mengozzi of the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered its Opinion in the case of Geoffrey Léger v Ministre des affaires sociales et de la santé and Établissement français du san […]

ILGA-Europe welcomes this Opinion and hopes the Court of Justice of the European Union will base its judgement on this Opinion.
Many European countries still ban gay, bisexual and men having sex with men from […]

ILGA-Europe welcomes this Opinion and hopes the Court of Justice of the European Union will base its judgement on this Opinion.
Many European countries still ban gay, bisexual and men having sex with men from […]