Hamilton council accused of trying to tone down 'gayness'

A gay community spokeswoman says Hamilton city council is trying to tone down it's 'gayness' during the Rugby World Cup. File photo / NZ Herald

Hamilton city council is trying to tone down it's ``gayness'' during the Rugby World Cup, says a gay community spokeswoman.

The annual Gay Pride week falls within the Rugby World Cup tournament period, and organisers are in talks with the council over where public art in celebration of the event is allowed to go.

Hamilton Pride chairwoman and Waikato University associate professor Lynda Johnston said organisers have often used art to publicly mark the week, starting from September 17.

She approached the council about hanging rainbow-coloured ``knitted graffiti'' decorations along the main thoroughfare of Victoria Bridge in early August.

``I got a response saying because of the Rugby World Cup we can't allow you to use the bridge and they were trying to think of other places in town that would be a useful venue for us.''

The council has suggested the flags adorn a local statue Riff Raff, a bronze sculpture in the city centre's Victoria Street _ a less visible place for flags signifying the gay community.

She said the council had previously been very supportive of the gay community and its initiatives.

``I do think that the council is in a bit of a quandry because of their obligations to the Rugby World Cup. And probably too that they don't want international eyes on Hamilton and its gayness.

She said places the community had used before, such as Victoria Bridge and Garden Place, were pre-booked with Rugby World Cup activities.

``I think that it certainly feels like we're being pushed into our little gay zone of the city rather than occupying a much more open space where lots of commuters and walkers would go past on the bridge ... It feels like we're only allowed a little spot rather than a much more public space where it would have been.

``I think there may be a bit of squeamishness going on there about what to do with the gays and lesbians during the Rugby World Cup.''

Council transportation manager Phil Consedine said the appliation to decorate Victoria Bridge was ``unfortunately'' declined because it would not be a permitted activity under the council's traffic bylaw.

It would not meet the requirements of the district plan because it was likely to be classified as a safety and advertising issue.

``For example, a distracted driver gazes at sign/colourful knitting, and causes an accident.''

Mr Consedine also said the application had come in rather late _ just a couple of weeks from the planned event.

He outlined the council's support for the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community and its planned event.

``Although we would have put forward Garden Place as a location, it will not be available due to long-standing arrangements in place for Rugby World Cup 2011, and the installation of an ice skating rink coinciding with Rugby World Cup community days planned for the location.''

Mr Consedine said one suggested location for the decorations is on Victoria St. The council had urged Professor Johnston to contact its parks and gardens team about booking the site for its celebration.