The Dunedin Pride Queer Leaders Panel, held at Te Whare o Rukutia on Sunday, examined the question, "how do we shape Ōtepoti Dunedin into a city for all?".
Hosted by Otago regional councillor Elliot Weir, the panel of leading voices addressed a wide range of issues.
Green MP and spokesperson for takatāpui and rainbow communities Benjamin Doyle said merely being part of the rainbow community did not necessarily guarantee an equitable approach and that it was important to remain mindful of diverse voices.
"We have to keep focusing and refocusing on it, because otherwise we just end up perpetuating existing structures, patriarchy, cis-heteronormative structures."
Dunedin City Council central city plan project director Glen Hazelton emphasised the importance of creating public places everyone could enjoy.
When devising the new layout for the George St upgrade, providing informal seating for people of all ages was part of democratising the spaces.
"It is just one of those small things — I go out there every day and I see people having lunch, just sitting out there with their own lunch."
Singer-songwriter Keira Wallace said they hoped for more alcohol-free all-ages venues so young people would feel welcome at live gigs.
"I think it is supporting the spaces that do cater for all ages and breaking that tie between alcohol.
"That in itself creates a more positive experience with music in the city and makes it more sustainable."
Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association welfare representative and drag performer Lemon Hay said drag offered an opportunity for artistic expression and protest.
Drag provided a space for people to find hope and pursue their dreams.
"It is a place for people to step away from all that negative information they are receiving from social media and instead embrace the joy and pride of being queer."
Disability Rights Commissioner and Rainbow Rights spokeswoman Prudence Walker said those in marginalised communities, such as disability or rainbow communities, were "experts" of themselves.
"As people who share common experiences, or indeed as marginalised people from different experiences, we all know the best about ourselves and about the issues impacting us."
