Auckland City's row over the controversial 'Boobs on Bikes' parade has raised concern as plans are advancing to resurrect the Hero Parade in 2010.
An Auckland City councillor is seeking a court injunction to stop porn baron Steve Crow's Boobs on Bikes parade, which features bare-breasted women – and last year, several drag queens – parading down Queen Street on open-top cars and motorbikes.
The Council recently passed a bylaw to block events if there is any "objectively justifiable and reasonable grounds for declining consent – for example that the event will be or is likely to be offensive."
Several GayNZ.com readers have contacted us concerned that the new bylaw may block any future Hero Parades, where naked breasts or butts may be displayed. Even the tamest of LGBT events – including the annual Big Gay Out picnic day in Coyle Park – might be seen as 'offensive' by vocal anti-gay fringe groups and therefore outlawed, with Council staff able to revoke event permits at will.
Hero's Brand Management Group facilitator Frederic Guillemont says he's aware of the new bylaw, and understands that an event will not receive a permit if it is considered as offensive.
"We are currently working on the format of the 2010 parade and will approach the Auckland City Council soon," Guillemont explains. "It will be interesting to see if a GLBTT parade is seen as offensive. But we have to wait the result of the current Boobs on Bike parade to see if a precedent is set.
"If ACC identifies a HERO parade as offensive I am sure and I hope that a lot of our community members will react. But if we cannot have a partnership in place with ACC on this event, other councils will be approached.
"So at the moment I am not worriedand am sure a solution will be found," he concludes.
