A Big Gay Out for Auckland

9 February 2012

A Big Gay Out for Auckland

The sun may be setting on the Big Day Out but the country’s premiere gay event, the Get it On! Big Gay Out couldn’t be stronger and a top line up set to wow the crowds this weekend. The event returns this Sunday, 12 February to the familiar, picturesque corner of Auckland’s harbour, Coyle Park in Pt. Chevalier and the day promises to be the hottest event on the rainbow community calendar this summer.

Zowie and Manthyng, each appearing for the first time, will headline the Durex Main Stage. MTV 2011 Best New Band finalist Zowie is on the up and up; her “Broken Machine” video was a finalist in the 2011 New Zealand Music Awards. Manthyng, the country’s only queer boy duet, has garnered years of experience on the New Zealand scene and brought their brand of electro-funk to airwaves and clubs nationwide. Both are expected to attract huge crowds who will also be entertained by a selection of premium bands, solo artists, dancers, opera, comedy performances and selected stars from New Zealand’s drag scene.

Building on the success of past years, the Get it On! Big Gay Out 2012 is both a celebration of sexual diversity and of condom use. Get it On! spokesperson Joe Rich says “The Get it On! Big Gay Out is a chance for everyone of diverse sexuality and gender, their families and friends to gather and celebrate their communities in a safe space, and it’s an opportunity for us to share safe sex messaging with thousands of people.” The Get it On! Big Gay Out regularly draws together around 10,000 people, all of whom will hear the call to action to use condoms and lube when they’re getting it on; a timely opportunity following recent announcements on the rate of undiagnosed HIV among Auckland’s gay and bisexual men’s communities.

In previous years the weather has been scorching and in 2012 the Auckland gay community’s favourite watering holes will be there with cold beverages and shaded chill out zones. Popular venues Caluzzi and Urge will once again come to the party with the hugely popular beer garden and adjacent dance tent, complete with chandeliers, decadent furnishings and sexy beats. As in previous years, the event has attracted extensive political support with the Prime Minister, Mayor and many National, Labour and Green party members all confirming their attendance.

The Family Bar Party Bus also returns and will do a continual loop from Family Bar on Karangahape Road and Nosh on Ponsonby Road to Coyle Park and back again every 15 minutes from 11.30am to 8.00pm. “The bus was overwhelmingly popular last year,” says Rich, “This year we have five buses doing a continual loop so no-one should have any problems getting to the park in time for the festivities!” The bus fare is $2 each way. The 030 public buses also goes directly to Coyle Park approximately every 30 minutes – the schedule is available at 030 schedule.

The Get it On! Big Gay Out will run from midday to 7.00pm on Sunday, 12 February 2012 at Coyle Park, Point Chevalier Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland. Entry is by gold coin donation with the proceeds used to cover the cost of staging the event. For more information go to www.biggayout.co.nz

Get it On! Is the New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s social marketing programme aimed at reducing HIV among communities most at risk in New Zealand.

ENDS

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