Politics

Let’s Get Political – RainbowYOUTH Election Roundtable – Auckland – 7 August 2020

Let’s Get Political – RainbowYOUTH Election Roundtable – Auckland – 7 August 2020

RainbowYouth are calling all members of queer, gender diverse, takatāpui & intersex communities to join them for a cross-party roundtable with MP’s leading up to this year’s election. They’ll be discussing priorities for rainbow communities, have a chance meet some of the candidates, and a space for community members to ask the MP’s some questions. […]

Queer Men want to give blood, Queer Men want to save lives

Queer Men want to give blood, Queer Men want to save lives

A petition to change New Zealand Blood Bank policy has been organised by Troy Mihaka, co-founder of Integrity New Zealand; and Luke Redward, queer rights advocate. Both are based in Wellington, New Zealand. The background to the petition is below with the petition and more details on the petition website. To treat heterosexual blood as […]

Cook Island’s First Ever Pride Day Postponed Indefinitely

Cook Island’s First Ever Pride Day Postponed Indefinitely

This month’s Cook Islands Pride Day will not go ahead as a precautionary measure to manage the risk of coronavirus transmission. While there are no cases of COVID-19 in the Cook Islands, organisers of the event have made a decision to put their plans on hold indefinitely. “I’m sure people will understand the reasons for […]

Auckland Pride Decision Supported at SGM

The Auckland Pride Board survived a no-confidence vote at the Thursday SGM by 52 votes (325 against, 273 for). The result means the board remains, however, highlights the major divisions which remain. One the positives of this discussion is the visibility of issues been faced by marginalised groups in Rainbow Communities has increased. Now the […]

Petition: Ban Gay Conversion Therapy in New Zealand

Petition: Ban Gay Conversion Therapy in New Zealand

Sign the Petition now calling for a ban on gay conversion thearpy. Often called gay conversion therapy, it’s illegal in some parts of the world, but not in New Zealand. “Therapy” is being offered to “cure” people who find themselves attracted to the same sex, where their attraction is contrary to their own religious beliefs. […]

Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson – Pleased With Response to Folau

Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson – Pleased With Response to Folau

Grant Robertson, Sport & Recreation Minister was reported in the NZ Herald as been pleased with the response to Folau’s recent comments. NZ Herald reported him as follows: As a gay man who played rugby at the community level, Robertson was encouraged by the public’s reaction to Instagram comments from Wallabies fullback Israel Folau that […]

Queenstown Rainbow Crossing

Queenstown Rainbow Crossing

The Queenstown Rainbow Crossing has officially opened ahead of Winter Pride in September. The Otago Daily Times reported on the opening noting it was the first crossing in New Zealand just beating out the planned crossing in Wellington. Reporting from ODT notes that last night Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult officially opened Beach St’s new […]

Some Asian LGBT Find Refuge In New Zealand

Some Asian LGBT Find Refuge In New Zealand

The New Herald reported a rise in LGBT refugees coming to New Zealand from Asia. The article focused on individuals from two countries Indonesia, where there has been an increase in homophobic rhetoric by politicians and increasing arrests of LGBT people. The other country discussed was China. The article quoted AUT University Associate Professor Sharyn […]