OUSA Queer Support Teaming up with Q-Squared Trust for Dunedin Pride 2018 – 8 to 15 April 2018

As Auckland Pride Festival comes to a close you may be thinking ‘Why does Auckland have all the fun’. Well fear not, the new local organization, Q-Squared Trust and OUSA Queer Support are busy organizing Dunedin Pride 2018, April 8th – 15th.

This year at the Auckland Pride Parade there was an anti-transgender protest that has captured some social media attention. We want to acknowledge that the message behind this protest does not align with the values of OUSA Queer Support or Q-Squared Trust. Both organizations are affirming of gender diversity and support an informed consent process for our young transgender people wanting to access hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is an established process in Aotearoa New Zealand and strongly supported by evidence of benefit for people who transition (see https://genderminorities.com/database/resources/).

We have a vision to create an inclusive and affirming environment for LGBTQIA communities in Dunedin and surrounding areas. Dunedin does have some events that celebrate our queer culture, but there is a need to build on what is working well for LGBTQIA locals and to draw the whole city into celebrations of diversity. The 2018 Dunedin Pride Festival will be a week of fabulous, fun and educational events for people of all ages.

Q-Squared Trust is currently taking submissions for the Dunedin Pride Art Exhibition and Pride Poetry competition. The submission deadline for both events is on Friday 16th March. If you’re interested in submitting your artwork or poetry email qsquaredotago@gmail.com for more information.

We have had loads of support from the Dunedin community, we’d like to thank our sponsors and funders: Dunedin City Council, Dunedin City Creative Communities, Otago Community Trust, Rule Foundation, Urban Dream Brokerage, SCM Aotearoa, Ending HIV, New New New, Dunedin Public Libraries, Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, Otago University Press, University Book Shop, Phantom Billstickers.

We look forward to welcoming you to Dunedin Pride Festival 2018, which will be inclusive of the full diversity of our local LGBTQIA community members, as well as our whānau, friends and supporters.

Hahna Briggs

OUSA Queer Support Coordinator

Dunedin Pride sub-committee member for Q-Squared Trust

Mobile: 0274471426

Email: hahna@ousa.org.nz or qsquaredotago@gmail.com