Arts & Entertainment
New Zealand shopping center displays ‘gender-busting’ Santa
Ponsonby Central merged Mary Poppins into their holiday season
Santa Poppins on display in Ponsonby Central. (Photo via Facebook)
A shopping center in Auckland, New Zealand put their own twist on Santa Claus with a “gender-busting” statue.
Ponsonby Central introduced “Santa Poppins,” Santa dressed as Mary Poppins, for the holiday season. Santa dons a red robe and fishnet stockings and is holding Poppins’ magical carpet bag and umbrella.
A Ponsonby Central spokesperson told Newshub that the statue is in response to Leader of the New Zealand National Party and Leader of the Opposition Simon Bridges’ comments on “The AM Show” on Monday. Bridges said he thought only men should portray Santa.
“I think it’s just PC gone – I don’t know if it’s mad, but too far. You guys this morning are telling me that man didn’t walk on the moon, now you’re telling me Santa’s a woman – I just want a few things I can believe in,” Bridges said.
He continued that “just as Mary Poppins is a woman, Santa Claus is a man.”
Ponsonby Central decided to send a message with their statue.
“The team at Ponsonby Central and Blunt umbrellas believe that our representation of Santa can be Mary Poppins or whatever race/gender/persuasion we prefer and can imagine,” the spokesperson said in a statement.”The Coca-Cola Company doesn’t have a monopoly on what he/she looks like.”
The spokesperson continued that they hope Santa Poppins will bring “a fresh perspective on the gender diversity conversation.”
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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