今日吃瓜

AsiaPacific Outgames participants in Wellington were formally welcomed to the city on Saturday in a poignant ceremony at Te Papa Marae.

Following a triumphant procession through Wellington鈥檚 central streets, organisers, volunteers and competitors alike crammed into the marae for the opening ceremony.

Outgames co-chair Virginia Hopkins-Burns addressed the competitors directly, saying that Outgames is 鈥測our event, your community [and] your time to shine鈥�.

Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson said he stood in front of those gathered on behalf of the six gay and lesbian MPs currently in Parliament.

鈥淭hree in Labour, one in the Greens, one in National鈥� and one recently independent.鈥� This announcement was followed by laughter from many of the people present.

Robertson then introduced Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand (pictured), the patron of the Outgames, who said to the competitors, 鈥淭he way in which you are being welcomed is at the very highest level.

鈥淪ome would say it鈥檚 only appropriate that you鈥檙e being welcomed by the Queen鈥檚 representative,鈥� he continued, to further laughter.

The Governor-general outlined New Zealanders鈥� contributions to the advancement of human rights worldwide, such as being the first country to grant women the right to vote and, a century later, the addition of sexual orientation and disability to the Human Rights Act as grounds for unlawful discrimination.

He then declared the Outgames officially open 鈥� to thunderous applause.

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown was another whose speech was well-received by the audience, confessing herself to be a proud GLBT ally.

鈥淎s a redheaded mayor on a bicycle, I obviously share the values of diversity in politics and in personality,鈥� she told those present.

鈥淲hen we have diversity and tolerance, a culture and a city will advance,鈥� she said, before noting that 鈥渨e must move beyond tolerance into treasuring diversity鈥�.

The opening ceremony was followed by the triathlon medal ceremony 鈥� the first medal ceremony of the games 鈥� and a choir performance.

– Anna Loren, The Express