Auckland Pride Event Cancelled After Christian Group Storms Library
A family-friendly Pride event in Auckland, New Zealand, was thrown into chaos when members of a Christian fundamentalist group forced their way inside, causing fear and disruption. The incident took place on Saturday, 15 February, during Auckland’s annual Pride festival and has since sparked outrage and an ongoing police investigation.
🚨 Inside todays violent protest committed by thugs from Destiny Church’s Man Up & Legacy groups who stormed the Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre this afternoon in an unsuccessful bid to shut down a children’s show hosted by drag king artist Hugo Grrrl billed as a “musical,… pic.twitter.com/qhUaeGRIFJ
— Kelvin Morgan 🇳🇿 (@kelvin_morganNZ) February 15, 2025
The event, held at the Te Atatū library, was a celebration of diversity. It featured a drag king hosting a storytime for families and children. Things took a turn when around 50 protestors, reportedly linked to the Destiny Church, barged into the library, interrupting the event. Their actions led to the cancellation of the storytime and left the library staff and attendees scrambling for safety.
Those present, including 30 toddlers, young children, and adults, were forced to take shelter inside the library as the protestors refused to leave. According to local reports, the situation escalated further when a 16-year-old girl attending a nearby sports event was allegedly assaulted by a member of the group, resulting in a concussion.
Auckland Police are now investigating the scene, particularly the claims of assault. Inspector Simon Walker, Acting Waitematā District Commander, addressed the public, calling the protest’s actions unacceptable. In a strong statement, he said, “Nobody, especially children, should ever be made to feel unsafe.”
In New Zealand, the ManUp men and Destiny Church have had enough, showing up to protest a drag queen event aimed at children as young as 2 years old. 💢 pic.twitter.com/kQdlNdPpjq
— Snowflake_News (@Snowflake_News) February 15, 2025
Walker also reassured the community, noting that police and Auckland Council have been collaborating throughout the Pride festival to ensure safety. “We live in a diverse city, in a diverse country, and that is worth celebrating,” he shared.
To those affected by the violent behaviour, Walker encouraged filing a report either online at 105.police.govt.nz or at the nearest police station to take further action.
At the time of writing, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains in its early stages. However, the incident has cast a shadow over one of the city’s most inclusive celebrations.
We often talk about inclusivity and progress, but events like this remind us of the work still needed to create truly safe spaces. The Pride festival meant to celebrate love, freedom, and self-expression became a target of hostility.
While New Zealand is known for its open-minded approach, incidents like this bring up serious questions.
