Auckland once again turned on its weather and charm for the LYC Big Gay Out on Valentine’s Day 2016. An estimated 10,000 people attended the iconic daytime festival for LGBTI people and their loved ones.

Valentine’s-themed celebrations included a ‘kiss cam’ and the LYC Summer Bang dance space. A fantastic line-up of entertainment culminated in a fierce performance by Samantha Jade of the X Factor Australia fame that had the crowds dancing until the very end.

LYC Big Gay Out is produced by the LYC team here at Burnett Foundation. Aside from celebrating our unique diversity, it is an opportunity to raise awareness of HIV and STIs and to promote testing as well as safe sex.  This year, 230 people were tested for HIV by the team at our Burnett Centre tent and LYC distributed over 10,000 free condoms.

“We're delighted with how they day went and have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback received. The event just keeps getting better every year and that’s because of the passionate and dedicated team who contribute to it, the volunteers and of course, the community that supports it by attending,” says Joe Rich, event spokesperson. “We’re grateful to everyone for once again bringing their best to the LYC Big Gay Out.”

Market stalls, community performances, a heaving harbour side dance zone, and a stream of live photos and tweets that were displayed on a giant LED screen throughout the day added to the spirit of love and inclusion, making a vibrant LYC Big Gay Out 2016.

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