For Elliott, the fact so many straight men are comfortable being in a queer space is a positive sign of progress and the result of work from previous generations of queer people who fought hard for acceptance. This is this whole tolerance of everybody trying to live together, work together.
Before Family there were no mainstream gay bars in Auckland, Clark says.
What's with all the straight guys showing up at Family Bar?
Clark rejects the idea the space is not gay enough. Social media blew up. On the packed dancefloor on a Saturday night, it certainly feels like it.
At 19, Jess Raynor has already more or less given up on the venue. Other nights, men grope her and her friends, from the moment they walk through the doors, and ask them where their boyfriends are.
You can feel eyes on you. All this reflects a fundamental lack of respect being shown to the LGBTQI community, and women in particular, she says. So, whose responsibility is it to stop the bad behaviour? He has been part of several projects specifically targeting the gay community, including the gay and lesbian venues Twist and Candy Bar, all of which had to close their doors within a year.
Is progress really so cut and dry, though?
- find gay sex now Nelson New Zeland?
- Festival Registrations;
- The Sex Files: Does Auckland or Wellington have a better gay scene?;
- Auckland bar under fire for social media post about PM, 'gay dungeon bars';
- free gay male dating site in Timaru New Zeland?
One young gay man Metro spoke to on the condition of anonymity pointed out he and his friends have been spat on walking down Queen St. However in Wellington — no matter the suburb — I feel completely confident holding hands with my husband, day or night, everywhere I go.
Welcome to Immigration New Zealand
It seems like a small thing in terms of quality of life for straight people, but for us, it's one of the cornerstones of how accepted we feel by society. If you're single in Wellington, though, you'll have a tougher time than in Auckland. It's purely because of numbers: the gay community in the capital is mostly made up of university students under the age of 22, or those who have been coupled-up for almost a decade.
There are certainly very few single young professional types on the gay scene. While Auckland doesn't exactly have a plethora of dating options, the city's sheer population allows for many more opportunities.
Latest from Lifestyle
Whether you prefer app-dating on the likes of Tinder or Grindr or making connections with people at various central city hotspots, it's not too difficult to meet other LGBT people that might be your "type". I'd rate the nightlife scene for gay people in both Auckland and Wellington as "acceptable", yet neither city is really a party town for LGBTs. You can eat, drink, and be as colourful and fabulous as you want and nobody really bats an eyelid.
The same goes for Ponsonby Road in Auckland, except the vibe is more upmarket. The bars are fancier, the clientele has more money, and while it can feel a little more intimidating, I feel that's simply the Auckland scene in general. Auckland has the added bonus of K'Road, the red light district — with its bars, clubs, sex shops and other venues, and more for people of all sexualities. Donate Fundraise for us. Insideout A friendly and accessible learning resource to help increase understanding and support of sex, gender and sexuality diversity, so we can all belong.
- Gay Auckland | The Essential LGBT Travel Guide!.
- best free gay sex Richmond New Zeland?
- LGBTI support at the University of Auckland?
- popular gay dating app Ashburton New Zeland?
- gays with gays Khandallah New Zeland?
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender;
Rainbow Rights This website aims to provide accessible information about the legal rights of rainbow young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.