Vodafone’s LGBTI employee network in New Zealand have announced that they won’t be marching in next year’s Auckland Pride parade.
The employee network announced it was hanging up on the Pride festival after the organisations board announced that they were banning the New Zealand police from marching in uniform. The police have subsequently pulled out the parade.
A statement on the company’s website said that Vodafone New Zealand’s Rainbow Whānau, their LGBTQI+ employee network, has decided not to participate in the Auckland Pride Parade.
The company said it remained hopeful that the board would reverse their decision about the police.
“We remain hopeful the Board will change their minds, and in that spirit of optimism are proceeding with our plans to be there on the day. If our hope is realised and the ban is lifted, we will be the first to congratulate and thank the Board for their willingness to listen and respond to the overwhelming call for inclusion. If not, unfortunately, we will not be able to march in February.” Vodafone said.
Vodafone said they were proud of their record of inclusion and highlighted that they had been recognised globally as a top employer of the LGBTQI+ community.
“We value and celebrate diversity and inclusion, and we partner with people, organisations and events who share that value.
“We have met as a Rainbow Whānau and consulted with our colleagues across the business, and believe we must walk the talk of our value of inclusion, which, in this case, may mean not walking at all.” Vodafone said.
The company said they would create other events for their staff to attend and celebrate Pride.
Auckland Pride announced they were restricted how police appeared in the parade based on feedback from community members, the decision however has also brought a large amount of criticism both locally and globally.
A community meeting held in Auckland on Sunday night reportedly descended into chaotic scenes.
So far Bank of New Zealand, Westpac, the defence forces, Ponsonby Business Association are among the groups boycotting the parade.
Actor Rupert Everett has shared his thoughts on the controversy telling Stuff that the gay community needs to move on from past injustices and recognise that ultimately it’s LGBT police officers they are hurting.
“There are also gay policeman and we can’t just pretend that they don’t exist. It feels to me that not making them wear their uniforms, is in denial. There’s so much violence towards us brewing up in places that we need to be friends with police as much as we can.” Everett said.
Auckland Pride have not responded to enquiries from OUTinPerth but the chair of the board Cissy Rock has told the media she has no concerns about the festival losing corporate sponsors or putting parts of the community off side.
The Pride chair said the local community has been asking for some time for the festival to become more queer and edgier.
“This might be the opportunity that allows some more community involvement to really shine through… I want people to participate in our Pride Parade. It’s really important. But they have to be people that want to support the kaupapa of the whole community.” Rock told News Hub.
OIP Staff
