rainbow youth

Hate-peddling US pastor Steven Anderson blocked from New Zealand

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Extremist Baptist pastor Steven Anderson has just been blocked from entering New Zealand, making us the 34th country to reject his hate speech-filled sermons.  American pastor Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church has been denied entry to New Zealand on character grounds, putting a stop to his plans to preach sermons in Christchurch … Read more

An afternoon spent plastering the streets with trans love

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Alex Casey spends a few hours with some rainbow volunteers shining a light on the trans community.  It’s a sunny Friday on Karangahape Road, and rainbow activists Sam Orchard and Toni Duder are nervously waiting outside adult store Peaches and Cream. “Can you do the talking?” Orchard asks. “Sure,” says Duder. Wielding armfuls of colourful … Read more

I can’t believe we haven’t already, but we need to ban gay conversion therapy

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Aotearoa must follow the lead of Britain and legally prohibit this pernicious practice, writes Toni Duder of RainbowYouth “Do you have anyone we could talk to who has gone through conversion therapy at RainbowYouth?” As the Communications Manager at RainbowYouth, part of my job is to make sure that we have people from queer, intersex … Read more

My privilege checklist

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Shout Out, presented by RainbowYOUTH and part of Auckland Pride Festival, is an open-mic dedicated to the talents of young queer individuals. This piece on privilege, written by The Spinoff’s Sam Brooks, will be performed at the event. Privilege, at its core, is power. Privilege is something that’s on everybody’s mind as we move into … Read more

‘It’s deeply disappointing, but it’s not gay’: About that Rainbow Youth ad

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Last week LGBTIQ organisation Rainbow Youth released their first ever TV spot to combat homophobia. Sam Brooks does a close read of the ad, what it means, and where the conversation goes next. “If it’s not gay, it’s not gay.” Rainbow Youth’s viral ad has a simple concept and a simple message. We’re in some … Read more

Marriage equality and human rights through the eyes of a child

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In Australia, there is currently a fight for marriage equality. A nationwide survey is asking for Australians to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the rights of rainbow families. This has had a huge impact on children of gay parents as well as LGBTQIA+ children. Katherine and Roanne have been together for 17 years. They live … Read more

A youth worker to New Zealand parents: You need to help our young people

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Connor Mcleod is a youth worker and activist with InsideOUT, an organisation that is trying to make New Zealand a safer place for our children. He’s calling on parents to help in this vital and important work. Young people of minority sexualities and genders need our help and support. Our young people are out there … Read more