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What Are You Afraid Of? Photographic Exhibition
20th Anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform
An exhibition of photographs covering the fight for homosexual law reform is showing in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. The 9 July 2006 launch of the exhibition in Wellington coincides with the 20th anniversary of the passing of the law reform bill.
Christchurch Opening Night Function
Sunday 1 October 2006, 6pm
Drinks & Nibbles
Free Entry - Koha welcome to defray expenses.
Christchurch Exhibition Sponsored by Rainbow House Ōtautahi
For further Information contact Rainbow House Ōtautahi
Telephone (03) 381 7423 or Email Xristina@xtra.co.nz
Exhibition Dates, Venues
| Christchurch | Wellington | Auckland | ||
| Mon 2 - Thu 5 October | Mon 10 - Wed 12 July | Sun 16 - Sun 23 July | ||
| Mon to Thu: Noon to
4pm (Opening function Sun 1, 6pm) |
10am to 6pm | 8.30am to 5.30pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm weekends | ||
| Eastside Gallery, Cnr Stanmore Rd & Worcester St, Linwood Village, Christchurch | Large Gallery, Turnbull House, Bowen Street, Wellington |
Aotea Gallery, Level 4, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE® |
||
| Free entry: Koha welcome to defray expenses | Free entry: Koha welcome | Free entry |
The photographs cover street marches and rallies, and a few glimpses of behind-the-scenes activities in the mid-80's campaign which resulted in sex between gay men no longer being illegal. The law reform didn't come without action by thousands of gay men and lesbians and their supporters around the country.
The struggle came about following a decision by the Salvation Army and some wealthy businessmen including Keith Hay to oppose decriminalisation. A nasty campaign against the bill saw petitions opposing it taken into workplaces, schools and hospitals, with people pressured to sign.
The gay and lesbian communities fought back, and many of the photographs cover street marches and street theatre and rallies for the bill. Particularly interesting are photographs which cover anti-bill meetings which were infiltrated and taken over by gays and lesbians.
Exhibition organiser and photographer David Hindley says photographs of serious moments - police officers collaring gay and lesbian activists, for example - are matched by humorous shots such as Tighe Instone's extraordinary costumes.
A low point in the campaign was the attempt to destroy the Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre by fire. One photograph shows Phil Parkinson surveying charred and smoke-damaged books and papers; another shows the word "Fag" which the arsonist left scrawled on the floor.
Sponsor of the bill Fran Wilde, MPs such as Trevor Mallard and Ruth Dyson, and other supporters such as the late Sonja Davies appear in the images.
The exhibition opening on Sunday 9 July in Wellington marks the 20th anniversary of the reform. After a short Wellington showing, the photographs transfer to Auckland and to Christchurch.
More information:
David Hindley
(027) 274 6765
davekev@infogen.net.nz.
Supporters and Funders
Last updated: 1/10/2006
Kawe Mahara Queer Archives Aotearoa formerly Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand Te Pūranga Takatāpui o Aotearoa (LAGANZ)
Alexander Turnbull Library, 70 Molesworth St, Wellington 6011
NEW ZEALAND
Curator Tel: +64 4 462 3972 |
Trust Secretary Mob: +64 27 444 3961
curators@laganz.org.nz | facebook.com/kawemahara | instagram.com/kawemahara