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Queer Youth Aotearoa <Queer-Youth>

"Queer - Inclusive of all sexual identities and attractions to humans."

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Winter Queer Youth Update

130 days ago

Tūngia te ururua kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke
Clear the undergrowth so the new flax shoots will grow

Tēnā hoki koutou i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. Anei te panui mō ngā takatāpui taiohi o te motu o te Roopu OUT THERE!

This Queer Youth Update is all about pulling together. In the new year that Matariki heralds, it is a great time to embrace change in the queer youth sector.

OUT THERE! Ch Ch Ch Changes

A few words from NZAF and Rainbow Youth
As many of you are aware, funding for OUT THERE! ended on 30 June and further funding for the immediate future has been evasive. In previous updates we have kept you informed about OUT THERE!’s funding issues and have expressed optimism that these will be overcome. However, the present economic circumstances have taken their toll and we have been informed by the Minister of Youth Development, Paula Bennett, and the Ministry of Health that there will be no new funds available. This comes on top of our present funder, the Department of Internal Affairs stating that they too are unable to temporarily extend our funding as had also been hoped.

Since these developments, NZAF and Rainbow Youth have met regularly to discuss the future of OUT THERE!. The outcome of these discussions has been a plan for OUT THERE! to continue on a low-key basis and without staff, while options are explored for both funding and an effective representative structure at the same time. Rainbow Youth will play a facilitating role in this process. The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) will continue any core project work already underway, namely Curious and some research projects. However, NZAF has decided that it will take a more low-key role in any new OUT THERE! that emerges. This is related to NZAF’s desire to focus on its HIV prevention work.

OUT THERE! Staff on the move
The sad consequence of having no funding is that your stunning OUT THERE! staff, who have worked so tirelessly for queer youth over the past year on successful projects such as the Kaha Queer Youth Hui, Curious TXT, and Youth’07, must now regretfully finish their employment with the project.

Elizabeth Kerekere - Kaimahi Takatāpui Taiohi
Elizabeth finished her employment with OUT THERE! on 30 June. To see Elizabeth Kerekere in action is an absolute privilege; the expertise and knowledge that she has brought to the project has been an enlightening experience for everyone she has worked with. From the heart of OUT THERE! it has been an honour to have such a strong and visionary presence with us. Elizabeth and whānau have plans to move to Gisborne later in the year. In the meantime Elizabeth will continue her studies at Victoria and has also offered to continue in a voluntary capacity to help facilitate progress around future plans for OUT THERE! Elizabeth is also available to offer trainings to queer youth networks on OUT THERE!’s Takatāpui Guidelines. Elizabeth can still be contacted on: 027 404 8277 - elizabeth@outthere.org.nz

Laressa Donaldson – Queer Youth Development Worker
Laressa finishes with OUT THERE! on 31 July. Laressa has been our youthful and impassioned queer youth advocate over the past year. Her energy has helped us stay focussed on the issues effecting queer youth such as the on-going issue of same sex partners at school balls. Laressa’s empathy with young people has encouraged many to feel connected to the work of OUT THERE!. Things are looking really exciting for Laressa. She has recently been appointed to an exciting new role as Health Promoter for Family Planning based in Wellington and will start with them in August. Laressa can still be contacted directly until July 31 - laressa@outthere.org.nz

From August 1 inquiries regarding queer youth or OUT THERE! can be directed to Rainbow Youth:

thomas.hamilton@rainbowyouth.org.nz
Phone: 09 376 4155
Fax: 09 368 5596
Mobile: 021 529 778

www.rainbowyouth.org.nz

Simon Harger-Forde
Director Prevention & Communications
New Zealand AIDS Foundation

Tommy Hamilton
Executive Director
Rainbow Youth

National Queer Youth Leadership Training
23-24 May 2009, Hamilton
The Youth’07 Leadership Training Hui was a huge success. A special thanks goes out to Waikato Queer Youth who assisted with funding and support to make it happen. We had 30 representatives from:
¨ Same-Difference, Dunedin
¨ Q-topia, Christchurch
¨ Q Youth, Nelson
¨ School’s Out, Wellington
¨ WQY, Hamilton
¨ Rainbow Youth, Auckland

According to the positive evaluations we received:

-This really made me think about a lot of things and question things. The statistics motivated me to make a change for more specific things.
-I loved how everyone was connected and comfortable together and I wish there were more of these opportunities
-OUT THERE! is amazing; they practise what they preach!
-The session covered so many different perspectives and was helpful for people with different experiences personally and their involvement in queer youth development
-It was a real eye opener and I loved the experience and love how I was able to relate so easily
-Very organised! Lol, They covered great topics and were caring and attentive about what we had to say. Elizabeth, Laressa and Hannah, we love you guys! Hug.

Bits people really loved…

-The language and stereotype discussions among all the other discussions.
-Connecting with everyone
-Hearing others’ experiences and perspectives
-Talking things through with everyone and hearing the diverse range of thoughts.
-The sense of environment and self-understanding I got from this environment
-All of it! It was so much fun making new connections across the country and being reminded that we’re all in this together!

Youth’07 - The Health and Wellbeing of Same and Both Sex Attracted Youth

The full report OUT THERE! commissioned Auckland University to produce is expected to be available by the end of the week.

Affirming Gender & Sexual Diversity in a Year 12 health classroom

This invaluable research, commissioned by the New Zealand AIDS Foundation for OUT THERE! was aimed at developing strategies that support gender and sexual diversity in the classroom. This study highlighted the benefit of improving the learning environment for diverse students by providing an environment that is inclusive of and validates queer sexualities and gender identities. To check out the summary go to www.outthere.org.nz.

WIN an iPod by being a Young Participant for depression research

SPARX is a new form of therapy on CD developed by experienced researchers and health professionals at Auckland University. It explores ways of dealing with depression using a computer on your own.

Auckland University is looking for volunteers to use SPARX: The Rainbow Version to help them overcome sexuality related depression. To be part of the study you need to be questioning your sexuality or attracted to the same sex, aged 16 to 19 years old (up to your 20th birthday), living in the greater Auckland region, and be experiencing some depression from time to time.

If you'd like to know more about SPARX, or you'd like to try it out, check out the website.

You can also win a prize by making something for their website (first prize is an iPod Nano and additional prizes include $40 Westfield vouchers). All you have to do is produce something visual, or a poem, or a brief written piece.

To participate in the research contact Mathijs: m.lucassen@auckland.ac.nz

Find us on...

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...
Curious TXT Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...

Nā māua noa, nā Laressa māua ko Elizabeth

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April Queer Youth Update

209 days ago

Ngahuru, tōnui te kai, tōnui te tangata
Harvest time, great in food and great in people
– when we all share in the work, we all get to share the harvest

Tēnā hoki koutou i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. Anei te pānui mō ngā takatāpui taiohi o te motu o te rōpū OUT THERE! The Queer Youth Update is all about TAKING PART this month.

National Queer Youth Leadership Training, 23-24 May 2009, Hamilton

What is it for?

•Developing queer youth leaders for the future
•Training participants to facilitate groups and workshops in their own area
•To use queer youth leaders to disseminate the findings from the report on same-sex and both-sex attracted young people from the Youth 2007 research on 10,000 school students nationally
•Run a national queer event for Youth Week

Who is it for?

Up and coming queer youth leaders from established queer youth groups – to be nominated by the group facilitators. All nominations to go to Laressa by Friday May 10th so we can organise transport and finances; laressa@outthere.org.nz, (04) 381 6648.

How do we get there?

We will provide transport for up to two nominees from established queer youth groups. Our preference is for participants to travel by van so the team building starts early!

Why is it in Hamilton?

The stunning people at Waikato Queer Youth have offered to host this training. Thank you WQY, you rock! WQY will arrange accommodation and kai.

What will the training cover?

•leadership qualities
•facilitation skills
•takatāpui guidelines
•how to run workshops on topics including identity, homophobia/transphobia, mental/sexual health and others
•specific planning on running a workshop in your region for people who work with young people

Who are the Facilitators?

•Elizabeth and Laressa, OUT THERE!
•Hannah Ho, School’s Out/TranZform

Update on OT! Funding

Most of you will be aware that OUT THERE!’s long held funding arrangement with the Department of Internal Affairs is due to end on 30 June, due in part to a restructure of its Community Development Scheme. We have been working hard to secure new funding for what is an important project for queer youth in Aotearoa. Unfortunately, our endeavours have coincided with a change of government and a major economic downturn. As a result, permanent funding has not yet been secured. However we have been working closely with officials from the MSD, DIA and particularly MoH, and feel comfortable that they are doing everything they can to ensure funding continues. The Minister of Youth Development, Paula Bennett, has granted us some funds to complete our important Curious Online initiative and we are exploring ways of bridging the project until Government is able to commit to a new funding arrangement. However, it is almost certain that OUT THERE! will need to reduce its capacity after 30 June, since the project has enjoyed an expanded previous 12 months. This was because of an earlier surplus which we had originally hoped would be able to continue through increased funding. Rest assured however, we are confident that there is a willingness from the Government to ensure that OUT THERE! and its work supporting the development of queer youth continues.

Dancing with the Stars! Congratulations to Rainbow Youth!

Congratulations to the team at Rainbow Youth in Auckland, and especially to the wonderful footwork of their supporters Tamati and Samantha! We’re really excited about how the show has helped to raise the profile of queer youth in Aotearoa. Check it out on GayNZ

Agender National Conference, Wellington 29-31 May

There’s still time to register for the 2009 Agender National Conference, but spaces are closing fast! This year’s conference kicks off in Wellington on 29 May at the West Plaza Hotel, and the theme is “Beeing Who We Are!”

New Queer Youth organisation in Nelson

Q-Youth is a new social support network for queer youth in the Nelson area.
They provide a safe environment for queer and questioning youth to hang out, get to know each other and have fun doing all sorts of activities like watching movies, playing video games on a big screen, making YouTube videos, and heaps more! Their first meeting was held last Wednesday, and had an amazing turn out. At least twenty and thirty people were there all times during the three hour drop in time. This was a great and exciting start for Q-Youth and they can't wait to get even more out youth from out there in the Nelson region!

Q-Youth social group info:

Drop in between 4.00pm and 7.00pm every Wednesday, at the Independent Theatre on Church Street (beside Dick Smith). Check their bebo page to see what they'll be getting up to.

Family Planning offers gender and identity training

Family Planning is offering training on gender and identity issues to teachers and other professionals, or groups working with young people. For more information contact Lesley Ann Guild at Family Planning Lesley.anneguild@familyplanning.org.nz

Ellen fans score all expenses paid trip

America’s number one talkshow host and lesbian icon, Ellen DeGeneres happened to see a message on the social networking site Twitter, that the group “Team Ellen” had a 5 year goal to make it on to her show. So, she called the team up and offered to fly them over to the show the following week!

Queer Nation episodes online

Queer Nation was a magazine show made by, for and about queer New Zealanders, which screened for 11 seasons over nine years from 1996 till 2004. Some episodes are now available online. Queer Nation was the world's longest running free-to-air TV programme dedicated to the LGBTI community.

Queer dates to watch out for:

# Candlelight Memorial 17 May
# Youth Week May 23-31
# National Queer Youth Leadership Training, 23-24 May, Hamilton
# Agender National Conference, Wellington 29-31 May
# Out Takes Reel Queer Film Festival
Auckland 21 May-1 June
Wellington 28 May-7 June
Christchurch 4-10 June
# UniQ National Conference, Wellington 4-7 July

Me mutu pea i konei. Noho mai rā i roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa.
Enough from us, look after yourself and we’ll catch up soon!

Nā māua noa, nā Laressa māua ko Elizabeth

www.outthere.org.nz

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March Queer Youth Update

253 days ago

He ika kai ake i raro, he rāpaki ake i raro
As a fish nibbles from below, so an ascent begins from the bottom
– success depends on sound planning and doing the groundwork

Tēnā hoki koutou i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. Anei te panui mō ngā takatāpui taiohi o te motu o te Roopu OUT THERE! The Queer Youth Update is all about PLANNING this month – where to from here.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Media Release on recent BEHAVIOUR SUMMIT http://www.outthere.org.nz/home/

KAHA ’07 – We Need Your Photos!
For those that went to KAHA - Yes, we know you took hundreds of pics of you and your friends. If you’re happy for them to go on our website or in our Hui Report please email them to us. Thank you!

Also, as you know many people were recording people and parts of the Hui. To hear yourself and others, listen to:
oAccess Radio podcasts of several interviews and Alison Laurie’s queer history presentation
oRadio NZ Te Ahi Kaa programme THIS Sunday 15th March, just after 6.00pm – in te reo Māori about Takatāpui for the podcast after the show.

No Funding For OUT THERE!
Our funding finishes on 30 June 2009 and the best we can hope for is a skeleton project until more funding becomes available. Thank you for the letters we’ve received so far – if you want us to continue, please write a letter of support to us.

Of course we’re not taking this lying down, not even gracefully on a chaise lounge, so we held a ‘Where To From Here’ strategy hui with reps from Rainbow Youth (Auckland), Q-topia (Christchurch), School’s Out and Wesley Community Action (Wellington). The main points from the hui were:
oUsing a Youth Development framework so queer youth know what’s going on and get to have a say about it
oKeeping in better touch with each other across the country
oDeveloping and increasing queer youth groups through support and training
oLiaising with other agencies/organisations such as the National Youth Workers Network Association and CYFFS to take responsibility for diversity and queer issues.

Detailed notes will be included in the Hui Report Elizabeth is compiling. Email Elizabeth at elizabeth@outthere.org.nz for more information.

Youth 2007 & the National Queer Youth Day of Action
OUT THERE! commissioned the University of Auckland to produce a report on same-sex and both-sex attracted young people from the Youth 2007 research on 10,000 school students nationally. Since the draft statistics are not looking so flash we’ve decided to take a strengths-based approach and create a National Queer Youth Day of Action during Youth Week, May 2009. We will convene a national training workshop for representatives from queer youth/diversity groups from across Aotearoa who will then go out to run workshops in their own areas. More details to come. Email Elizabeth at elizabeth@outthere.org.nz for more information.

Spreading the Love at Te Matatini
Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Competition is the largest Māori gathering in Aotearoa. Thousands of people came to watch the top 36 kapa haka groups battle it out. OUT THERE! shared a stall with NZAF, Family Planning, Te Puawai Tapu and Te Aitanga a Hauiti Hauora to promote diversity and safe sex. Elizabeth distributed about 4500 of our new Takatāpui resource which was a very positive start to her work in reducing homophobia and transphobia amongst Māori.

Rainbow Youth Dancing with the Stars!
Rainbow Youth is the selected charity for Tamati Coffey and Samantha Hitchcock for this season of Dancing with the Stars on TV ONE, Tuesdays at 8.30pm. Congratulations – the boy can move!! To support the wicked work Rainbow Youth does in the Auckland region and co-governing of OUT THERE! text Tamati to 8981 or phone: 0900 89 815. For more information check out www.rainbowyouth.org.nz.

Curious TXT is rockin’
We’ve had a phenomenal response to the TXT service provided for queer and ‘questioning’ youth that have questions on sexuality and gender. Check out our latest release http://www.outthere.org.nz/home/ If you or anyone you know has any questions they would love answered, text 3535 and the keyword ‘curious’ and any question on gender or sexuality and OUTLine NZ will reply within 48hours. TXT ‘join_curious’ to receive Queer Youth TXT Alerts.

Milk scores two Oscars!!
If you haven’t seen the film Milk then you’re really missing out! Filmed on location in San Francisco, Milk is Gus Van Sant's account of the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the USA, who was assassinated by another politician. A phenomenally inspirational film for all queers and activists alike! Check out Sean Penn (who plays Harvey Milk) receiving his Oscar!

"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."
-Harvey Milk

DOCNZ Festival on now!
The DOCNZ Festival kicked off a couple of weeks ago from which there are some awesome queer movies to check out!
To have a look at their line-up check out http://www.docnz.org.nz/2009/

The DOCNZ Festival 2009 has finished in Auckland, however is on in Wellington 12-22 March, and Christchurch and Dunedin 26 March to 5 April.

BULLYING STOPS HERE: Pink Shirt Day successful!
Pink Shirt Day was a day to stand up and say that as a society, Aotearoa is not going to tolerate bullying! Considering the two weeks SS4Q (Keeping Schools Safe for Queers) had to initiate the campaign, Pink Shirt Day drummed up whole lot of interest, and significant curiosity from the Rainbow MPs at Parliament. To check out some of the positive response to Pink Shirt Day check out the NZ Pink Shirt Day site http://www.pinkshirtday.org.nz/ We hope to make Pink Shirt Day even bigger and better next year!

New queer youth group kicks off in Dunedin
Same-Difference is the brand new group in Dunedin and is facilitated by the PFLAG youth coordinator and Youthline community education volunteers.

The coffee group started on Friday the 20th of February, and will continue on every 3rd Friday of the month. It’s open to queer and questioning youth, their friends and family. The coffee group is an unstructured informal space where youth can socialize, which will be facilitated by the PFLAG youth coordinator and Youthline community education volunteers.

The Same-Difference group happens the first Friday of every month, and is specifically for queer and questioning youth 20 and under. The group provides an opportunity to get together and discuss things that interest queer youth, develop a sense of community, meet new people, and offer peer support.

We are trying to expand our Queer Youth Update contacts so please encourage your networks to sign up and for those of you that are existing recipients to please update your details at http://www.outthere.org.nz/stepout.htm

Me mutu pea i konei. Noho mai rā i roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa.
Enough from us, look after yourself and we’ll catch up soon!
Nā māua noa, nā Laressa māua ko Elizabeth

If you wish to unsubscribe from the Queer Youth Update, simply do so by reply email with unsubscribe in the subject line, no hard feelings.

www.outthere.org.nz

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Same-Difference

277 days ago

hey everyone! there's a new group started up in Dunedin!

http://www.bebo.com/pflagsamedifference

http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php...

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Summer Queer Youth Update :)

289 days ago

E kore e ngaro, he tākere waka nui
We will never be lost, we are the hull of a great canoe – PRIDE in the might and numbers of a large tribe which can never be wiped out!

Tēnā hoki koutou i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. Anei te panui mō ngā takatāpui taiohi o te motu o te Roopu OUT THERE! The Queer Youth Update is all about PRIDE this month.

KAHA QUEER YOUTH HUI GOES OFF!!

• Pics on our Facebook page
• Podcasts by hannah Ho from School’s Out. For other School’s Out Podcasts click here.
• On GayNZ
• Sign the online guestbook for Tapu Te Ranga marae

Picture this: Tapu Te Ranga Marae, the sun is shining and awaiting the karanga are over 110 queer youth from Dunedin to Whangarei, representing 15 queer youth groups, with over 40 more queer folk from 20 other queer groups, there to support. It was a marvellous sight to behold. If you weren’t there, you missed out big time!

The goal of KAHA was to bring together queer youth and queer youth workers from across the country to share, connect, and build pride. Going by the overwhelmingly positive evaluations, we all achieved this:

Things They Loved:
• ‘I loved the people, the marae, the drag show, the artwork, the facilitators and just everything really. This has been a truly amazing experience. Thank you!’
• ‘Very inclusive & diverse, relaxed & open to have extra time to debrief about workshops & thoughts that arise’
• ‘Awesome people, beautiful place, getting to know heaps of diverse individuals’
• ‘The inclusive way trans and gender diversity or non-identifying people were brought together. The safe spaces which were created’
• ‘The house group leaders were awesome and keen to discuss what we had learned’
• ‘All facilitators, very good organization (sticking to schedule surprisingly well!) Wonderful food, support from all Hui leaders’
• ‘The intense feeling of belonging and love’

HUGE shout out to all our facilitators and volunteers with much love to the KAHA Project Team who helped Elizabeth and Laressa pull it all together; hannah Ho, Daniel Hayward and Carl Greenwood aka Kitchen Queen. An extra special shout out to Q-topia from Christchurch, last to leave and bravely cleaned toilets with Maddy – you rock!!! Elizabeth is whipping up a flash report with photos, quotes and the rest of the shout outs. Watch this space!

Queer Youth Worker Training Day
The Queer Youth Worker Training Day went fabulously with over 70 people attending and thanks to the wonderful people from the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa! So a big shout out to Ari, Jane and Antnz, you did a beautiful job! The training day gave lots for queer youth workers to think about, and was a really positive step in the direction of professionalising queer youth work in Aotearoa!

OUT THERE! Seeks new funding
Our generous funding from the Dept of Internal Affairs Youth Development Funding Scheme finishes on 30 June 2009. We are working hard to find new sources of funding from Government. If you loved the Hui and want OUT THERE! to continue, you can send us in a letter of support and we will include it in a package to Government Ministers. Email your letter by reply or post it us at PO Box 9247, Marion Square, Wellington 6141.

Curious Online Beta going live at Out in the Square: 28 Feb Wellington!
OUT THERE! has been so privileged to already receive some beautiful coming out stories for the Curious website which is so fantastic! So please keep sending them in, and if you didn't go to KAHA but would love to have your coming out story on Curious, then please get in touch with me, laressa@outthere.org.nz

Curious TXT
OUT THERE! was lucky enough to launch the Curious TXT service at the KAHA hui! Thanks to those of you have signed up to Curious TXT Alerts. To start receiving TXT Alerts you can text ‘join_curious’ to 3535.

Treaty & Takatāpui Training
This month Elizabeth provided training to Rainbow Youth on Treaty obligations as it relates to them, facilitation and takatāpui guidelines – all woven together in some beautiful, coherent and useful way! A trip to Christchurch is in the pipeline so if anyone else wants something similar, get in quick and email Elizabeth at elizabeth@outthere.org.nz

DIA funding for interns for community groups- closes March 9th
There will be an additional funding round for the Department of Internal Affairs Community Internship Programme - with applications closing on March 9 2009. This is an excellent opportunity for community organisations to 'borrow' the skills and knowledge of a person from another organisation/business or government agency for a period of 3-6months. The costs of employing the intern for that period are covered by the internship. At the end of the period they return back to their previous job, hopefully having increased the capacity of the organisation borrowing them, developed the relationship between the two organisations involved and enjoyed the challenge of utilising their talents in a different direction. It is an extremely useful programme.

Click here for more information

Research: Family behaviour key to health of gay youth
In a study by researchers at San Francisco State University it was found that young gay people whose parents or guardians responded negatively when they revealed their sexual orientation were more likely to experience depression than those whose families accepted the news. The study suggests that parents who take even baby steps to respond with equanimity instead of rejection can dramatically lift a gay young person’s sense of well-being.

One of the most startling findings was that being forbidden to associate with gay peers was as damaging as being physically beaten or verbally abused by their parents in terms of negative feedback said.

The Family Acceptance Project: http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/
If you would like to view the full article please email laressa@outthere.org.nz

Out in the Square: February 28 Wellington
Out in the Square showcases professional performers from the talented rainbow (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning) community and wider, features quality merchandise, fabulous food and sumptuous wine. It’s an event for all ages of the community, a whole day of fun and frivolity set against some great music in a great location!
(please note 1 March will be the rain date)

Universal Pink Shirt Anti-Bullying Day February 25th comes to NZ!
On February 25th wear something pink to symbolise that we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere. Last year over 128,000 people on Facebook signed up for the event and the hope is to double that this year! Wear a pink shirt, hat, scarf, glasses - or whatever! - while at school, work, etc.

Join the Pink Shirt Day Facebook Page and check why we should be supporting such an important day!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...

OUT THERE! Online
Please check out the following to hear and share news and events.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi.... If Facebook isn’t your thing, we’re still on Bebo! http://www.bebo.com/Queer-Youth.

We are trying to expand our Queer Youth Update contacts so please encourage your networks to sign up and for those of you that are existing recipients to please update your details at http://www.outthere.org.nz/stepout.htm

Me mutu pea i konei. Noho mai rā i roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa.
Enough from us, look after yourself and we’ll catch up soon!
Nā māua noa, nā Laressa māua ko Elizabeth

www.outthere.org.nz

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Freedom & enthusiasm at Kaha '09 Queer Youth Hui

300 days ago

Meeting last weekend at Wellington's Tapu Te Ranga marae, 2009's KAHA Queer Youth Hui was a chance for queer youth leaders to connect and network, with workshops and activities to help inspire and motivate their work in their communities.

Over one hundred and forty queer youth gathered outside the marae in Wellington excitedly chatting about what the weekend ahead would hold.

"Where are you from?"

"Who is that hottie over there?"

"What queer youth group are you from?"

After the powhiri welcoming the youth and volunteer helpers onto the marae it was time to find a place to sleep… perhaps with the new found friend from the bus ride to the marae. The magical history of how the marae came into being was provided with plenty of initiative and passion which was to signal how Kaha would continue. A broad talk was given about the history of the queer community, somewhat sobering to realise the hard work that generations before this youth had undergone to allow such gatherings to happen and the freedom with which queer youth have today.

Saturday saw Wellington show off its finest with a balmy start to a full on day of workshops focusing on issues facing queer youth of today. What we call ourselves? Youth groups, what works and what doesn't? Relationships, sex and self care. Robust discussion was opened up surrounding these issues with strong feelings and people happy to voice their opinions in a supportive environment. The sexual health workshops facilitated by staff from the New Zealand AIDs foundation and sexual health workers was excellent. It answered the many questions surrounding HIV-AIDs and the details about this issue which can often be pushed to the side for many young people who have the mentality "it won't happen to me."

The evening's concert was a display of the varied talents from those present and was hosted by the always entertaining Ellie Kat. Kapa Haka, poetry, spoken word and music performances were on display. Afterwards those who were old enough headed into town to be shown about the queer hotspots and perhaps having a change from the orange juice.

Sunday morning was full of bleary eyes with not so many hours sleep taking its toll. It soon dawned on everyone that today was the last day of Kaha 09. The morning's workshops looked at how the youth could continue to be queer and live life to the full in their respective communities whether it is in school, tertiary education, home or the workplace.

The Kaha Queer Youth Hui was an amazing weekend with such a variety of queer youth present. Thanks must go to the team at Out There and their band of merry volunteers and facilitators who organised Kaha, fed us so well and woke us up oh so gracefully. It is evident there are some fantastic youth groups working in our community who often go unrewarded other than to see their members grow from strength to strength. New friends were made and the youth present felt a renewed sense of community. Personally the freedom and enthusiasm which was felt during Kaha was something very special. Due to the awesome group of young people who had come together, it made me proud to be part of this community.

With the next Kaha queer youth hui planned for 2011 in Wellington to coincide with the Outgames to be held in the capital it is certainly a case of watch this space as undoubtedly it is set to be another massive event and will build upon the foundations of Kaha09.

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Freedom & enthusiasm at Kaha '09 Queer Youth Hui

300 days ago

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Kaha Queer Youth Hui proves popular

309 days ago

This weekend's KAHA National Queer Youth Hui in Wellington is almost at capacity with nearly 140 queer young people from all over the country registered to participate.

"Registrations began slowly in December as people focused on the holidays, but now the registration forms just keep on coming. We have had to beef up preparations to make sure we can cope with all the young people that will be attending" says Elizabeth Kerekere, Out There! Kaimahi, Takatāpui Taiohi, and organiser of the event.

The last KAHA Queer Youth Hui organised by the Out There! LGBT youth support network took place in January 2007 and was attended by seventy young people from eleven different queer youth groups and high school groups from across New Zealand.

Recently released findings of the Youth 2007 Study confirm that one in twelve high school aged young people do not describe themselves as heterosexual. This figure is similar to the findings of the earlier Youth 2000 study.

"Same sex attraction is a normal and colourful part of our community and is here to stay. Schools and families need to openly support their same-sex-attracted students and children so they feel worthwhile, accepted and included," explains Kerekere.

"This hui is about encouraging young leaders to take a stand against homophobia, transphobia and prejudice in schools and in our community."

KAHA will begin with a training day for youth workers who work with queer young people, known as queer youth workers, about safe and effective support for queer youth. The session will be facilitated by the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa which recently produced the first Youth Work Code of Ethics for New Zealand.

KAHA is a three-day event taking place at Wellington's Tapu Te Ranga Marae this weekend, 23 -25 January 2009. The cost for queer youth is $25 and sponsorship and transport opportunities are available. More information can be found on the Out There website, www.outthere.org.nz

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November Queer Youth Update

358 days ago

Mate atu he tētē kura, whakaeke mai he tētē kura
Continuity: a fern frond dies but another frond takes its place

Tēnā hoki koutou i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. Anei te panui mō ngā takatāpui taiohi o te motu o te Roopu OUT THERE! The Queer Youth Update is all about continuity this month.

WAYS TO JOIN THE QUEER YOUTH MOVEMENT!!
If you are a queer young person:
• Come to KAHA Queer Youth Hui 2009, 23-25 January 2009, Wellington – please see below for more information

If you are a queer youth worker:
• Come to the KAHA Queer Youth Workers Training Day, 23 January, Wellington
• Bring some queer youth with you to the hui

If you are someone who wants to support queer youth:
• Send a donation to help queer youth travel to the hui
• Come and volunteer in the kitchen!

KAHA brings together queer youth and queer youth workers from across the country to share, connect, and build pride. KAHA aims to increase awareness of the issues facing queer youth, develop positive new relationships and inspire community activism. It will be safe, fun, participatory and one of the best experiences of participant’s lives!

All food and marae accommodation is covered in the crazy fee of only $25 which is negotiable! Registrations close 15 December 2008.

You can now find the following at www.outthere.org.nz/kaha:
• Registration forms
• Draft Programme
• Beautiful Hui Poster
• Background information for funding applications

We have sent out posters to most of our networks and queer youth groups, if you would like some posters or postcards please let us know.

Please contact Elizabeth Kerekere at elizabeth@outthere.org.nz if you have any questions about anything else

OUTTHERE! has been offered a fabulous opportunity to take part in a fundraising event to benefit KAHA. .Goldfish Productions. an Auckland based events management team are putting on a party on 5 December 2008 at Galatos bar in Auckland. This is a ticketed event and tickets will cost $20 pre-sale. VIP tickets are available for $170 (5*Tickets+ 5*Cocktails + Spirit or Wine Btl). All guests will receive a free cocktail and it promises to be an awesome queer night filled with live music from Ladi 6, Ramon Te Wake and
DJ Wanda and other live local acts and DJs. This special gay friendly laid back night, will be supporting OUT THERE! and the KAHA hui.

Please feel free to pass on the information about this event to your friends that might be interested. To purchase tickets, text, e-mail, or call, to the following:

Mat: 0212948476 or mathieu_poisson@hotmail.com
Tarsh: 0277374876 or fragglenz2003@hotmail.com

As this is a licensed venue you must be 18+ to attend but GoldfishProductions are planning an all ages event for early next year.

Queer Youth Worker Training Day, January 23
Have you ever had a queer young person you work with flirt with you ? Have you had to talk with the parent of a young person you work with who doesn’t know that their child is queer? Ever had ’one of those days’ and said something to a young person that you regretted? Every one of us has had moments like these when we wonder what the best way is to work with queer youth. OUT THERE! in association with the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa presents an interactive workshop for youth workers who work with queer youth (queer youth workers). In this workshop you will learn how to improve the safety and effectiveness of your work with queer young people. One of the presenters for this workshop will be Antz Burgess, from the Manawatu Lesbian & Gay Rights Association (MaLGRA). Antz was one of the Youth Workers who helped write the Youth Work Code of Ethics. Sign up to this valuable opportunity now by registering online at www.outthere.org.nz/kaha

Curious Website
Curious is coming along fabulously! We have a logo, content, and backend development! We are currently testing the site, choosing our layout theme, and finding a designer to develop an amazing skin for the site also. Our soft launch will be at the Kaha Queer Youth Hui, so if you would love to be one of the first to use our site and get your profile cranking, then make sure you rock up to the Kaha hui as everyone there will have a chance to have a go at checking out Curious!

OUTLine launches ONLine!
OUTLine NZ is proud to expand its phone counselling services to the internet! This comes amid an increasing number of people using the internet for chatting and other such activities. OUTLine have therefore decided to launch their confidential online chat and counselling service this month.

Users will be able to anonymously enter the chat room using a link on the website www.outlinenz.com/chat and can join a trained counsellor for a private one-to-one chat where they can discuss issues safely and securely. The counselling service is mainly targeted at youth whose preferred communication method is through the internet but includes anyone who wishes to chat online.

The 0800 OUTLINE phone service will of still be available to provide their free, confidential and non-judgemental telephone counselling service. They are there to listen, provide information and to help young people with your issues. .

Free Counselling and at the Burnett Centre in Auckland
Narrative counselling is now available at the Burnett Centre in Auckland. The counselling team has expanded with a much smaller waiting list as a result. The Burnett Centre offers free and confidential counselling to anyone infected or affected by HIV as well as people who may feel that they are at risk for HIV or questioning their sexuality.

NZAF Counsellor Paul Ashley is particularly interested in working with young men who are beginning to explore their sexuality with the view of supporting safe, responsible and supportive coming out journeys that lead to long and healthy lives.
If you are interested in this service, please contact Paul, 09 309 556

"Queer 101" hits High Schools!
In August, hannah Ho wai ling and Anya Satyanand, delivered the first pilot of their Professional Development (PD) around Queer Youth "Queer 101", to 60 secondary school teachers.
hannah Ho and Anya Satyanand created this brief programme aimed at secondary school teachers, to address homophobia and transphobia in schools. The programme delivers a knowledge foundation about queer youth and the difficulties they face in comparison to straight youth to teachers The teachers also acquired practical knowledge of the ways to challenge offensive language. The one hour programme is a brief overview that covers the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity, some terminology, and practical and effectiveways to address statements like "that's so gay" in the classroom.

The PD session delivered at Wellington High (lauded as a very accepting diverse school) brought to light some gaps in understanding, around the areas of language, homo/transphobia, homo/trans bullying, and sexuality and gender in general. It highlighted the importance of up-skilling, and keeping anyone who works with young people informed about diverse sexualities and genders.
Anya and hannah are currently looking for other secondary schools keen to have "Queer Youth 101" Professional Development, delivered to staff.
If you would like more information, please contact hannah, hannahho81@yahoo.co.nz

Rainbow Youth Update
There has been quite a lot going at Rainbow Youth over the last few months, most prominently featured is that they have started advertising for an Executive Director to help Rainbow Youth develop and expand. Rainbow Youth also recently had a stall at this year’s Grey Lynn festival on 22 Saturday 22 November selling rainbow merchandise along with Rainbow Youth-brand bottled water to raise funds.

Their social groups are going strong; there are currently four of these::

- GQ, is an under 20’s group held at the Rainbow Youth Centre for queer youth to meet and socialise with like minded people in a safe and friendly environment. This is one of Rainbow Youth’s most successful groups, and it continues to grow;
- ID, is an under 27’s group held in a cafe setting. It is popular with 18 – 27 year olds
- Q4S (Queer for Shore),is a North Shore group for high school aged queer youth and is held in a safe cafe environment;
- Gender Quest, is a transgender social support group held at Rainbow Youth for people aged 27 and under.
If you would like more information on Rainbow Youth or any of their groups please check out http://www.rainbowyouth.org.nz/ or email info@rainbowyouth.org.nz

Inform 08: Sexual Diversity Conference in Whanganui!
The aim of Inform 08 was to create awareness, highlight new ways of working together for change, and provide a safe environment in which to learn and share ideas that promote positive sexuality and gender identity, and it certainly done that and more!! Some of the staff at the NZAF’s Āwhina Centre in Wellington were lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to present at Inform 08 conference date in November. It was an enlightening experience as there is some absolutely amazing work being done in Aotearoa to make our country a more inclusive place! There were some fabulous workshops and presentations about the work being done to support queer youth as well as highlighting some of the really positive approaches aimed specifically at promoting gender and sexuality diversity among our youth which is just so exciting to hear!

OUT THERE! online
Please check out the following to hear and share news and events.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...
If Facebook isn’t your thing, we’re still on Bebo! http://www.bebo.com/Queer-Youth

We are trying to expand our Queer Youth Update contacts so please encourage your networks to sign up and for those of you that are existing recipients to please update your details at http://www.outthere.org.nz/stepout.htm

Me mutu pea i konei. Noho mai rā i roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa.
Enough from us, look after yourself and we’ll catch up soon!
Nā māua noa, nā Laressa māua ko Elizabeth

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Queer Youth Update Special Pānui: JOBS

379 days ago

Executive Director: Rainbow Youth

Rainbow Youth is Auckland’s premier queer youth organisation, which has been dedicated to providing support, information and advocacy for queer youth, their friends, family, whanau, and the community for almost 20 years. Rainbow Youth is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity, and operates predominantly within the greater Auckland area providing educational services and resources to secondary schools, and social/peer-support groups for queer and questioning youth to meet and socialise in a safe, supportive environment.

The Executive Director role has been created to develop and expand Rainbow Youth, and to meet the current and future needs of the community. You will be responsible for managing the operations of the organisation, including staffing, funding, youth support and education, in a largely autonomous role. You will become the public face of Rainbow Youth. You will report to and be supported by the Executive Board. This is a unique opportunity to lead and grow this dynamic and exciting organisation!

Please send your CV and Cover Letter or any queries to the Chairperson
chairperson@rainbowyouth.org.nz

http://www.rainbowyouth.org.nz/Execu...

Queer Support Coordinator

The Otago University Students’ Association works to support its members through the provision of a large range of services including representation, welfare, advocacy, recreation, events and media. Currently the OUSA Student Support Centre is looking for a coordinator to administer the queer support service in 2009. This includes; providing queer peer support, education, resources and information to students and staff on campus. It is a 20 hour per week position.

The application form and job description are available from OUSA Reception or Personnel, PO Box 1436, Dunedin. Ph 4795331. For further enquiries about the nature of the position, contact Amy Prebble OUSA Student Support Centre Manager; amy.prebble@ousa.org.nz

Applications including a CV and cover letter close 19th January 2009.

www.outthere.org.nz

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