Hundreds gathered in the Octagon on the 3rd of May in a loud, proud, and unrelenting show of solidarity against New Zealand First’s proposed gender definition bill. It was reportedly Ōtepoti’s largest ever trans-rights protest, with rainbow umbrellas against drizzly weather giving a poetic picture of defiance. Speeches and chants were led by the Dunedin branch of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO), and local activists.
The protest was triggered by a controversial members’ bill submitted by New Zealand First to the parliamentary ballot. The bill seeks to define “man” and “woman” in the Legislation Act 2019 strictly by biological sex. Though still awaiting a draw from the ballot, the bill has already stoked serious backlash across the motu, as Critic Te Ārohi reported in Issue 10.
With the estimated turn out ranging from 300 to 500, the upper part of the Octy was fully packed out. Around seven cops circled the protest, and there were no noticeable incidents or negative reactions from the public. Local drag performer and community leader Ann Arkii (she/they/he) delivered a stirring speech during the event, showing the real stakes behind the legislation: “Transition is life saving. I would not be standing in front of you today if I was unable to live my life the way that I needed to […] who I am as a person is not something that can be debated, legislated, or defined by the state.”
Another speaker from the day, Syl (she/her), told Critic, “We really weren't sure how many people were gonna show up today. It's just really beautiful to see that down this far south in the country that Dunedin can be such a safe space for the community, and everyone will come together in solidarity and make a real go for the politicians who just aren't doing enough.”
The crowd was made up of not only uni students and local queer icons, but filled to the brim with queers and allies of all ages. This protest has so far been the only tertiary protest against the bill. Surprisingly, our woke Wellington cousins have not organised a similar protest, with crickets on Cuba Street.
From chants of “when trans rights are under attack, stand up fight back” to hand-painted signs reading “biology was never binary” and “aroha is inclusive - your bill is not”, the event mixed political urgency with community. As Ann put it: “It's time we remind the people in charge that they work for us, and that there are more of us than there are of them.” And Ōtepoti made it clear that this is a community unwilling to be silent.