In this panel discussion, moderated by David Farrier, featuring Louisa Wall, Welby Ings, Ngahuia Te Awekotuku and more panelists to be announced soon, we celebrate the laws passed in our country’s history and acknowledge the firsts that have shaped our inclusive LGBTQI society.

The protection of LGBTQI rights is advanced in Aotearoa, relative to other countries in Oceania, and is one of the most liberal in the world, with the country being the first in the region to enact same-sex marriage.

We are not living in a post-queer world and we should not assume that the few freedoms LGBTQI individuals have achieved in Aotearoa are replicated in other countries or that they will remain intact. We are seeing a shift, but there are still countries where being queer, gay, bisexual or transgender is a criminal offence or worse, punished by death. In certain countries LGBTQI people aren’t “free to live their authentic lives”.

Following the panel discussion will be a screening of Welby Ings short film Sparrow. This award winning film is the beautiful story of a small boy who is teased because he thinks he can fly. When a family myth about his war veteran grandfather is exploded, he discovers the strength to stand up to the school bullies in a very unusual way.