A World AIDS Day fundraising drag show planned for Hamilton's Frankton Markets tomorrow has been cancelled after pressure from several local business owners.
Waikato-based 'gender illusionist' Barb Wyred explains: "This was going to be a first for Hamilton - going out amongst the public and entertaining during the day to raise awareness and share support for the NZAF and the New Zealanders with HIV/AIDS."
Wyred was advised late yesterday that the organizers of the markets could no longer approve the show to be there, due to pressure from other stalls and groups at the Market who were opposed to the production.
"It took many man hours to organise this - including visiting the local council for permits, approaching the organisers of the markets and organising supporters to come and help out and purchasing and making costumes, this was all organized, and performers including myself organised time off work to go out and organise this event," explains Wyred.
"I think this is shocking from the Market organisers and also the other groups involved for pulling this event for us, all our hours of work and organisation to be thrown out the window. It shows the prejudice and the stigmas attached are still strong in New Zealand."
Frankton Markets' organizer Vinod Bhikha says he was placed in a difficult situation over the event. A number of large businesses in the area were vocally opposed to having a drag show on a main public street which young children could witness, he explained.
"Personally, I'm not narrow-minded on these things, and I know it's a great cause, but I have to take into account the variety of opinions from the business community here.
"I'm genuinely disappointed for the group, and I don't know the correct answer in this situation, but needed to take action or the situation would have escalated. It's a 'damned if we do, damned if we don't' scenario."
Bhikha says will speak to the Hamilton branch of the NZ AIDS Foundation this afternoon to work on a compromise, which may mean fundraising for World AIDS Day is still possible at tomorrow's Frankton Markets.
Hamilton's Shine nightclub will host a Red Ribbon Party tommorow night from 10pm, with shows and DJs. Entry is via a gold coin donation to the NZAF.
