Ngahuru, tōnui te kai, tōnui te tangata
Curious TXT is the name of OUT THERE!'s new SMS messaging service that answers questions about sexuality or gender identity. Now, young people from across the country can text in any question and receive a personalised response within 48 hours. People wishing to use Curious TXT can send CURIOUS(space)your question to 3535. The service also includes the option of receiving regular updates from Curious TXT by senging JOIN_CURIOUS to 3535. Find Curious TXT on Facebook.
National Queer Youth Leadership Training, 23-24 May 2009, Hamilton What is it for?
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?
Who are the Facilitators?
To check out more information on Youth Week 23-31 May, click here.
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 “Being Who We Are!” Follow this link for more information on Agender and the conference.
New Queer Youth organisation in Nelson Q-Youth is a new social support network for queer youth in the Nelson area. 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! To check out the footage of Team Ellen on their journey click here. Check out Team Ellen on Facebook
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.
Treaty & Takatāpui Training In February, 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
# Youth Week: 23-31 May 2009 # Candlelight Memorial 17 May
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*Queer is a reclaimed word that represents sexuality and gender diversity. We use it to encompass people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, fa'afafine, takataapui, queer, or questioning. |
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