Two very different awards ceremonies honoured a variety of gay Christchurchers last night, as special events during Pride Week continued to pack out the Garden City's LGBT venues.
After a popular all-women dance party at Zinc Bar in the Civic Complex, Chch Pride Week's annual official Mr and Mrs Pride Week 2008 pageant in the Flamingo Bar saw drag MC Miss Mole introducing five contestants dressed for formal, swimwear and creative rounds. The judging panel of gay community stalwarts decided Paul Rutherford and Renee Mannering were the deserving winners in a close contest.
Rutherford, who wowed the crowd showing off his chest in the swimwear round and then appearing in a spooky 'pirate in rehab' outfit in the creative section, said he was thrilled to win the Mr Pride 2008 title. "I entered because I wanted to show that it's great to be gay in Christchurch," he told GayNZ.com.
Miss Mole released her audience at 12:30am, where Cruz nightclub's inaugural Awards Ceremony was already underway, hosted by Steven Gray and Jacquie Grant. The outrageous event featured drag shows from local talent and the brief return to New Zealand of favourite Wellington drag star Pollyfilla.
Voting papers were handed out around the busy nightclub, and the final tally awarded Tomy as best Teen Queen, beating four other teenage Cruz regulars to the title. Eular became the shirtless Sex God, and the dubious honour of Person Most Likely to Wake Up in a Stranger's Bed went to Stella. Speed Queen – the gay guy fastest to new trade was announced as Keegan, and after much staggering around on stage and other drunken antics on stage by Biggest Lush contenders, Leigh took the title.
The night's official proceedings on stage finished with Jacquie Grant gifting Cruz owner Bruce Williamson with a large mounted picture of New Zealand drag icon Carmen.
Chrischurch Pride Week continues tonight with a performance from the Gay Playback Theatre group at the Southern Ballet Theatre's Arts Centre, and a PolyQ & UniQ Heroes and Villains Party in the Civic Complex.