FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tēnā koutou katoa,

We write and act to bring further attention to the injustices that the practice of Pinkwashing brings about.

Tonight we have repeated the action of ‘Queers Against Injustice’ that took place on Thursday night with the symbolic Pinkwashing on ANZ’s GayTM on Ponsonby Road.

We continue to draw attention to the acts of Pinkwashing that these institutions we have targeted are complicit in.

As has already been outlined: Pinkwashing is a term used to describe how the LGBTQIA struggle is co-opted by corporations, institutions and governments to whitewash over unethical behaviour.

Examples of Pinkwashing that we hope to bring attention to through this action follow:

1) Israel uses a pro-LGBT stance to distract attention from its military occupation of PALESTINE.

2) We see it in AOTEAROA when corporations (such as ANZ) strategically use gay-friendly marketing to increase profits by exploiting their workers’ rights.

3) We saw it at PRIDE parade on Saturday when a Māori transwoman was tackled by security guard, her arm broken, and she was refused medical attention for 25 minutes while she was protesting the inclusion of a POLICE float in the parade.

Furthermore, we have the deepest respect for the gains made by the LGBTQIA struggle, yet do not believe the identity should be used to enable and distract from the same discrimination and oppression outside and within the community.

We seek the eradication of Pinkwashing practices, the de-corporatisation of Pride, and discourse concerning how true change can be brought about beyond tokenistic ‘diversity’ and ‘tolerance.’

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