by Matai O’Connor,
Kaupapa Māori reporter
The rainbow community of Tairāwhiti feels unsafe after the rainbow crossing was painted white in a targeted attack by local Destiny Church members, which the Mayor strongly condemns.
This was in response to a drag queen story-time event set to take place today at the HB Williams Memorial Library.
At around 7 last night, members of the public reported seeing a group of people with placards at the rainbow crossing on Gladstone Road, and cones at the intersections of Peel Street and also Bright Street. They saw the group painting the rainbow crossing in white paint.
A video was shared on Facebook showing Gisborne’s Destiny Church leaders Leighton Packer, her husband Ernest Packer and others painting the crossing white.
Leighton Packer said, “As you can see our main street is lit up like a rainbow, and we want to let you know that the rainbow actually comes from God.”
“We have blocked all the roads because we are not going to tolerate this anymore.
“We are calling out the Mayor Rehette Stoltz and every councillor that’s agreed to these people coming here to read to our children.”
They are claiming the drag queens, Erica and Coco Flash, who are reading to teenagers at a 16-years and up event are “sex workers” and the story-time session is “sexualisation of children”.
She said “Yup we will be held accountable, it’s worth the cause, it’s worth it to stand up for our children.”
The video shows Ernest Packer and a couple of others painting the crossing in white paint.
The camera then pans around and shows the group of about 15 who are responsible.
The rainbow crossing was installed two years ago to celebrate, and raise awareness of, the rainbow community in Tairāwhiti.
Tairāwhiti Rainbow Collective (TRC), a group made up of local LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies, was involved in the creation of the crossing.
TRC chair Chris Shotton said radically painting over the rainbow crossing was an act of vandalism that can lead to violence.
“Standing up for what you believe in is a just cause and a given right of any democracy. However, to silence the voices of others who struggle to come to terms with their identities because they don’t fit your norm, is outright hate. It’s a shame we can’t all walk in others shoes to see how horrible it can be.
“To know you are hated so much by certain elements of society . . . even worse in my book is the thought some of these hateful people potentially could have LGBTQIA+ people in their own families who would be fearful of being thrown out of their families for being just themselves, which they can’t be.”
It was the latest in a series of events from those against the rainbow community, he said.
“The events over the last few days have me perplexed as to why certain factions of the community have taken it upon themselves to be spokespersons for the whole of Tairāwhiti.
“Education is where knowledge comes from, so how about educating yourselves a little, or is it easier to not be educated and just be dumb and make assumptions?”
The drag queen story-time event is going to be in a separate room, not the main library that most had assumed was the case.
“The stories being read are to show young adults, 16-years and up, who are going through times of uncertainty over their identity, that they belong, they are seen and they are loved and have a life to look forward too.
“This was to be expressed in such a way that they understand this, by people who have lived the path they are on, all age appropriate for people 16+.”
LGBTQIA+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, a study in 2020 concluded.
“The actions of others play a big part in these suicides,” Mr Shotton said. “These losses of lives affect so many people. It is just a horrid part of the community and the hate we must tolerate in our lives,” Mr Shotton said.
“I would have thought those in the Tairāwhiti community would have known better than to act in these ways. Shame on you all, and thank you for putting us back in the closet and back 50 years.
“We aren’t perverts, paedophiles, sexual predators, and we most certainly don’t choose this life. Why would we choose a life in society that hates us with such venom and ferocity.
“Hitler killed gay men because we were useless to him in his pursuit of an Aryan race. Have we not moved on from these times and thinking? Possibly not.”
Mayor Rehette Stoltz says last night’s destruction of the rainbow crossing in the CBD fuels hatred and division between people.
She said she accepts that people hold different views, however there is no place for hate or bigotry in Tairāwhiti.
“Gisborne District Council strongly condemns the vandalism done last night,” Mayor Stoltz said.
“They created a safety issue last night. We will be reinstating the rainbow crossing as quickly as we can.
“We absolutely object to individuals interfering with our road markings and the safety of people on our roads.”
The GDC will be working with police to make those involved accountable and seeking reparations for the cost of the work.
“We stand in solidarity with the rainbow community and strongly support the message of the rainbow crossing as well as the kaupapa of the library event.
“This kind of visibility of acceptance saves lives. We are very mindful of the struggle some of our young people face when there is no recognition for them as they explore their identities. Rainbows are representative of joy for everyone.
The planned event at the HB Williams Library will be going forward and GDC has done a full risk assessment of the venue.
Police will be present at the event and protesters have been warned they are not to prevent anyone entering the library.
“I would like to clarify that the library’s programming decisions are made with the intent to provide a wide range of educational and cultural opportunities that reflect the diversity of our community.
“The event in question was designed to offer perspectives on gender diversity and inclusion, topics that are increasingly being recognised as important areas of public discourse.
“Our aim is to foster a space for open dialogue, learning and understanding on a variety of subjects.
"It is also important to note that the day-to-day operations and event programming at the library do not fall under the direct purview of governance or involve voting by councillors or the public.
“Our staff are committed to selecting programmes that educate, inform and entertain while respecting the broad spectrum of views held by our patrons.
“We recognise that not every programme will align with the personal values of every community member, but we strive to maintain a balanced and inclusive calendar of events that serve the varied interests of our community as a whole,” she said.
This afternoon the council said the rainbow crossing would be repainted tonight.
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