History

A Potted History of MaLGRA

The story goes that a fellow called Vernin Tyle put an add in the paper to see if anyone was interested in setting up a gay/lesbian support group. Twelve enthusiastic people turned up to the first get together of the soon up and running M.G.R.A (Manawatu Gay Rights Association, as it was known then). By the end of the year, M.G.R.A had a newsletter, a constitution, and was attended the first of many conferences.

Robin Duff - the co-ordinator of National Gay Right Coalition - visited, with newspaper and radio coverage. First birthday Party! Played the song "glad to be gay" which was later banned due to the "homosexual" content which might be offensive to listeners - M.G.R.A members were involved in protesting the banning of this song.

June Began holding B.Y.O monthly socials at "the Lady Fair Salon". Pub night was Friday night at the back of the commercial Hotel, much to the fascination of many of the patrons who would often come for a look at "those people". Later increasing numbers allowed the use of the upstairs house bar.

First Gay Pride Week! A blue jeans day was held on the Friday. Brave M.G.R.A members handed out info in the Square and two half page adds on M.G.R.A and gay pride week were printed in the Manawatu Evening Standard.

M.G.R.A members were frequently called upon to provide speakers on homosexuality for all sorts of groups including Massey University, youth line, Samaritans etc.

December The start of Vinegar Hill with an attendance of 12 people! Also joined the Wanganui equivalent group on a river trip.

Social trip with the Hawkes Bay group to Waipukurau - staying in a hotel with just one double bed. Management were not impressed with a request for more double beds!

People frequently wrote in wondering what the word "gay" meant in the M.G.R.A advertisments published in the Manawatu Evening Standard. The term "gay" was not well understood and the word "homosexual" was not allowed to be used, as this was a "family" newspaper. However, after the use of the word "homosexual" 12 times in an article (and a 30 minute battle at the public counter) the Manawatu Evening Standard finally agreed to replace "gay" with "homosexual" in the M.G.R.A add.

M.G.R.A wrote to Mr Freer with regards to the infamous Freer Bill, which proposed to legalise Homosexual acts between consenting adults aged 20 or more. The view of M.G.R.A was "equality or nothing".

September M.G.R.A reaches 50 members - and a very social bunch at that. Monthly dances still raging as well as fortnightly "at home" get togethers. Another busy Pride week.

Lots of media coverage. The homosexual film "Squeeze" was released; Police raided an Auckland Gay sauna; Dr Ian Scott selected as the openly gay candidate for Labour in an Auckland electorate. Started advertising in the Kerridge Odeon Theatres.

First mention in the M.G.R.A newsletter of a new lethal sexual disease affecting the American gay scene. Several "Queer Bashing" incidences occurred in Palmerston North

Monthly disco's at P.D.C Staff Social Club Rooms were started and well attended throughout the year. Many members travelled round the country networking with other gay groups/venues.

Amidst much controversy the membership age limit reduced from 18 to 16. M.G.R.A flew down Bruce Burnett (the driving force behind Aids awareness and education in NZ) to talk to members and the public.

A bill to decriminalize male homosexual acts and outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual preference was to be introduced to parliament... so the battle commenced! M.G.R.A. formed a subgroup dedicated to this cause. They advertised, fundraised, wrote submissions, liased with other groups and arranged pro-bill public meetings with Fran Wilde as the main speaker.

Emotions ran high throughout the country. The Fielding Gay Task Force was formed for a day (on the day of the salvation army's centennial celebration in Feilding) to protest the appalling stance of the Salvation Army. Members and members' families wrote into M.P's in support of the bill and endless time and energy was spent until the bill was partly passed in 1986.

P.D.C rooms were demolished and discos were moved to the Scottish Society Hall off Princess St.

June - Sadly, Bruce Burnett passed away.

A donation was made to the Aids Support Network, which had recently formed in Palmerston North and had several M.G.R.A members involved.

Moved to Square Edge.

Law Reform Bill passed with an age consent of 16. Human Rights Amendment defeated.

By July 31st, 20 cases of Aids had been officially reported in N.Z.

Closure of the Commercial Hotel... surely Friday nights will never be the same! To compensate M.G.R.A now operate Friday and Saturday nights each week.

M.G.R.A's own library is established. Began to give away condoms on club nights in response to the increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS. Friday nights temporarily ceased but were restarted after the new ownership at the Majestic Hotel made it obvious that previous patronage by gay crowds was no longer welcome.

Much toil and sweat by volunteers and the new club facilities were officially opened in February.

Gayline/Lesbian Line established, with volunteer counsellors available three nights a week. '88- '90 were politically quiet but the social scene hummed.

Players JFL Soccer team started its days called 'Winters JFL'- JFL standing for either Just for Lesbians or Just for Laughs.

Lesbian Nights and Gay Games Fundraising sub-committee established.

In a radical move, paper drink tickets were replaced with plastic tokens. Many fundraiser events over these years (floor shows/entertainment) raised money for HIV/AIDS support and Ward 16 at Palmerston North hospital.

B.L.Y.S.S (youth group) established.

Three M.G.R.A members participated in the Vancouver gay games.

Foundation Life Membership given to Peter, Kevin, and Ron for their 13 years of involvement in M.G.R.A

Fire doors were put in and we finally got our liquor licence.

Things went quiet. We started paying bar staff and things started to go down hill. Volunteers for committee were becoming sparse and enthusiasm was dying.

Things reached an all time low. The lease for Square Edge was handed in and the community were not involved or told what was happening. Luckily, the secretary told some concerned people and from this the working party was formed and the club saved. Yeah! This was done by an individuals credit card as at this stage there was no money to stock the bar, or pay the bills. She believes it was well worth the risk and has absolutely no regrets.

One of the best years financially that the club had ever seen. Club name changed to Club Q and bar extensions made. Started receiving Lotto funds to pay the rent for the club.

20th Anniversary... What a blast! More renovations and another great year.

A hard year. A new bar that competed directly for the gay population was opened. Club Q was kept running with the help of a dedicated few.

A huge lesbian ball was held, supported by lesbians throughout the country. Everybody thoroughly impressed. The boys seem to drift away.

Yay for the Players JFL! The lesbian soccer team won the premier division in the woman's soccer league. Club Far Out closed down, the gay crowds returned home to Club Q and the place started roaring again.

New Sound system and lights installed. Things started to get back to their best. New, younger committee. Was great to see the young ones getting more involved, UniQ etc. Started Housie to fundraise rent.

This was a big one - the 25th Anniversary. Closet Space youth group set up. Another young enthusiastic committee.

The club got a makeover! Lots of dedication and hard work resulted in the first makeover of the club for a number of years. Raised seating platforms and frosted glass windows are installed.