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Queer Youth Aotearoa <Queer-Youth>

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

	Winter Queer Youth Update	129 dni temu
	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
	opublikowane przez Queer Youth Aotearoa