50 Plus People Still Awaiting NZ Visa to Attend the ILGA

With just days left for the historic International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) meet in New Zealand, a first in its 40-year history, more than 50 people are awaiting for their visas.

Andre du Plessis, the ILGA executive director, said hundreds of people from all over the world are expected to mark the historic gathering on March 18 in Wellington. Plessis said scholarships, about 120, were granted for the event, from 87 countries with 75 per cent coming from developing countries like Africa and Latin America. Mani Mitchell, Intersex New Zealand Director, said the reality of processing 300 plus visas in one lump is probably quite hard. "Some of the countries that people are coming from are not countries that typically come to New Zealand so I think that's part of the problem." Mitchell said they were running out of time. "We want everybody here, we want everybody to fly across that 'beautiful rainbow' at the end of the airport and be together as whanau, as family."

ILGA says New Zealand has already been incredibly welcoming. A marvellous welcome sign has been painted by the Wellington Airport, and this has already started the world talking. Plessis said they request the government to process the outstanding visas as quickly as possible.

The event will run through March 18 to 22 and is expected to coincide with the Wellington Pride Festival.