Monday, March 14, 2011

Born This Way Blog

I came across this blog which makes compelling reading! The stories of growing up LGBTQ and making it though to adulthood out and proud are great to hear.

"Born This Way" Blog
borngaybornthisway.blogspot.com
A photo/essay project for gay adults (of all genders) to submit childhood pictures and stories (roughly ages 2 to 12), reflecting memories & early beginnings of their innate LGBTQ selves. Nurture allows what nature endows. It's their nature, their truth!

Note from Chris our co-chair

This note is from Chris, our co-chair:
Many thanks to everyone who was part of the Strathean planning weekend. I enjoyed the whole experience and think we did good work looking at what we are doing and how we could work differently. It was great to have Vaughan come down from Auckland and hear how we could get more inv...olved with the national queer helpline 0800 phone service.

I was left with the feeling that he saw us with a different culture and way of operating than Auckland, but as a strong skilled group of people that could be part of a new national queer helpline, each group maintaining independence.

The next month is going to be busy with Outgames… lets make sure we give ourselves visibility during the week. Make sure you come to our annual fundraiser sausage sizzle - part of Out in the Square is in two weeks time (Sat 12th).

Big hugs to you Brendan – sorry it happened and here’s hoping you mend physically and emotionally… the hardest bit I suspect… soon.

Note from a School's Out attendee

“I was once a 17 year old that felt that I had to solve all my problems by myself. Then about half a year ago, I showed up to School’s Out, not knowing what to expect. When I was there I discovered not only did I find a group of people that I could relate to a...nd find support in, but I discovered a group of friends so unique, that I had to come back. School’s Out isn't just a place I go to for help but, it's a place I go to for friendship.

When there, I can be myself. I don't have to hide anything and I don't feel judged in a negative way. That's why I go to School’s Out.” Keith

Brendan

Early on Sunday 27th February WGWG member and Schools Out co-ordinator Brendan was bashed on his way home from S&Ms and required hospitalisation.

Brendan is out of hospital now. When I checked in with Brendan on Monday he said "I'm doing fine all things considered, I'm not in too much pain and have had quite a steady... flow of visitors and plenty of messages on FaceBook."

At a time when everyone in Wellington is watching the horrible stories unfold in Christchurch, it’s hard to understand this act of unprovoked violence in our own city. Sometimes we take the safety of our city streets for granted. We shouldn’t. Violence can come from many different sources.

Back in July two of Wellington’s Diversity Liaison Officers from the Police talked to us about their role dealing with bulling and homophobia. If you know anyone who has had a similar experience to Brendan, encourage them to contact a DLO. They’re there to help.

Monthly co-chair update from George

Here's the monthly co-chair update from George:
At the February meeting we discussed many of the things that were 'blue-skyed' in the planning sessions at Strathean.

There was some lengthy discussion about the proposal to work closer with OUTLine. We provisionally agreed to pursue the idea and Chris and I have been maki...ng some headway. We are scheduled to meet with Vaughan Meneses during the Human Rights conference mid-March.

We are looking forward to another fantastic Out in the Square, and Cruz is this year's no. 1 sausage-sizzle organising guy. If you enjoy sausages, (meat or vegetarian), or you just want to catch up and say hi, make sure you come over to the Gay Wellington stand! We will have amazing t-shirts for everyone helping on the day as well. George

"Mates & Lovers"

Gay Wellington is proud to help financially support "Mates & Lovers" at Downstage from Tuesday 8th March to Saturday 12th March. Look out for our ad in their programme. Hopefully we'll see you there!
MATES & LOVERS 2011
www.youtube.com
Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand Presents Mates & Lovers The untold stories of our brothers, sons and fathers Wellington 8 -- 12 March 2011 Downstage Dunedin 22 -- 26 March 2011 Fortune Theatre Based on Montana Book Award Winner Mates & Lovers: A history of gay New Zealand by Chris Br

Earthquake news

OUTLineNZ and GABA set up a database of glbt-friendly accommodation for people affected by the earthquake. If you want to volunteer accommodation, check out the below link.
GayNZ.com Glbt-friendly accommodation for quake victims
www.gaynz.com