Rainbow Times – Community Event Photo & Film Screening Social (c.1994)

This page documents a community social event following a film screening in New Plymouth. The text describes a happy hour at Flicks Bar after the movie, where male bar staff were in drag and drinks were half price for anyone dressed up. The group socialised outside the cinema, with tourists taking photos “to show the folks back home how New Zealanders get into the spirit of things.”

The page is signed off by Ash and Tiny (Stella and Betty), suggesting drag personas used during the event.

Photograph Description (Specific)

Black-and-white photograph of six people in drag and costume, posing together indoors after the film screening event. The group includes individuals presenting in flamboyant outfits, wigs, makeup, and theatrical styling typical of drag performance and costume parties of the 1990s. The image captures a moment of queer community celebration and visibility in New Plymouth following the movie screening.

Event Context

The page refers to a screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), a landmark Australian film celebrated within LGBTQ+ communities for its portrayal of drag culture. The post-screening gathering at Flicks Bar highlights:

• Drag performance and costume culture in Taranaki

• Social safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people in New Plymouth

• Community celebration through film, dress-up, and nightlife

• Public visibility and engagement (tourists interacting with attendees)