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A logo has been designed for the inaugural parade, which will feature on T-shirts.
A pride parade celebrating the LGBTI+ community and encouraging inclusiveness will be held in Paparoa this Waitangi Day weekend.
The parade will be joined by the Circus Kumarani, a bluegrass band and a choir.
It will leave the Thirsty Tui pub in Paparoa at 5pm on Sunday, February 7, and make its way to the village green, where a picnic will be held.
Organiser Cissy Rock says all are welcome to join the parade and she is encouraging people to dress up and form a “walking float”.
She says people don’t have to be LGBTI+ to walk in the parade.
“Allies who want to stand with us play an important role, whether they are parents, siblings, children or friends of rainbow-identifying people,” Cissy says.
To her knowledge, it will be the first pride parade held in Northland and may even be the first rural pride parade.
She says people from the rainbow community who grow up in rural areas can feel isolated.
“Often they can feel like they have to move to Auckland to find a community. It’s important to build a sense of support where they live.”
Cissy says similarly, people moving from the city to regional New Zealand can feel uneasy about whether they are able to express themselves.
“They might not be certain about holding hands in public. The parade is about saying to people that they can live the rural lifestyle and be queer.
“It creates a sense of visibility and reassurance that this is a safe and welcoming community.”
Cissy says local businesses have been supportive of the parade and many will be hanging rainbow flags in their windows on the day.
There will be a prop-making workshop on February 24 to make things to wear in the parade.
To join the parade or register for the prop workshop, contact paparoapride@gmail.com
