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The OGT is now available in Invercargill

The Otago Gaily Times (OGT) is now freely and publicly available in Invercargill.

Stephen from Public Health South has been in contact with, and consequently supplied two Invercargill stores - Sounds and Play It Again, both on Esk St - with copies of the OGT for members of the public to grab.

The OGT is a newspaper produced quarterly (4 times a year) in Dunedin and distributed around the country. It contains topical articles, artwork & opinions, event details, support & recreation contacts, and loads more.

So pop in to Sounds or Play It Again and pick up your copy. And don't forget to support those who support us :)

Pride Bracelets available from SGNLS

SGNLS' first fundraising venture. Celebrate your lifestyle, and remind yourself to be proud of who you are by wearing a Pride Band. We're selling them for $3 each, with proceeds being fed back into the group to help fund the phone line and other methods of support.

And you don't need to be gay to wear one - we've had a lot of bands bought by straight people who want to support their friends and family.

Bracelets are $3 and available by emailing us at sgnls@woosh.co.nz or contacting Stephen at Public Health South - (03) 211 0900.

Dunedin Pride Week

Dunedin Pride Week 2006 is on 26 August - 3 September. Loads of activities!

"Pride proud prim passion prod prude - whatever your perspective on Pride, we hope you'll enjoy something of the plethora of events happening over the week. Pluck up your diaries, pencil in the dates .... we look forward to the pleasure of your company. With passionate pashes & prim pecks, love from the Pride Week Working Group xxoo"

Awards, exhibitions, parties, workshops, plays & family outings - something for everyone.

Check out the latest OGT for a Pride Week Brochure or visit the Pride Week website.

20 years since Homosexual Law Reform!!!

20 years out! We've compiled a list of websites celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform.

• Radio New Zealand have prepared a programme to be broadcast on Sunday 9th July at 4pm. The documentary has been split up into eight streaming audio segments that are available on the website. Radio New Zealand Website >
• GayNZ.com are running a series of articles on life before and after reform.
  GayNZ.com website >
• LAGANZ is sponsoring a one-day conference to celebrate 20 years of Homosexual Law Reform in New Zealand. The conference will be held on Saturday 2 December 2006 in Wellington. Papers are now being sought for the conference. They can be on any topic related to law reform. Email alison.laurie@vuw.ac.nz for more information.

Lesbian research project

Michelle is conducting research towards an MA in Anthropology at Massey, and she has set up a blog at www.nzlesbianresearch.blogspot.com that will run for three months. Have your say about what the ´lesbian community´ is (wherever you are). Raise questions, comment on other women's thoughts. A summary will be placed on the blog at the completion for all to read. You can participate anonymously or by creating a user name.

Support network long overdue

The Southland Gay and Lesbian Support Network is up and running after the first meeting was held earlier this month.

In the safety of an undisclosed venue over 30 people gathered at a central city location to attend what will now be known as SGnLS, a support network for gay, lesbian, trans-gender or simply questioning their sexuality to be involved in.

The structured organisation aims to promote safety and acceptance to gay people living in Invercargill with an emphasis on youth.

A spokesperson for the group believes the high turnout affirmed the need for a constitution of this sort in Invercargill and the positive response from those who attended was outstanding. They said "We're ready for this, we want this," the spokesperson said.

The majority of those who attended were under 25 and the spokesperson said with this in mind a support line and monthly meetings will continue to run to offer support.

The ability for people to be able to talk with a like-minded group is important and young people need resources to help them.

"If you are gay and you can't be out and you are being bullied, that is incredibly wrong. We want to make it acceptable for people to identify whatever their identity is and be OK with that and if they are OK about it, other people will be too," the spokesperson said.

The mission of the group is to make a difference for those involved, promoting safety and education discreetly and confidentially so that gay people can say when they choose to, "Yes I am gay," the spokesperson said.

"We're making it safe to be honest and safe to be out if you choose."

The network is set to become an incorporated society in the next few days and the spokesperson is aware of some of the negative attention this may attract in Invercargill. However, she said they would carry on.

"We will battle away at the prejudice to create a more inclusive society," the spokesperson said.

Southland LGBT Group Thrilled with Turnout

Organisers of a new Southland LGBT support group are thrilled with the local response, with almost 40 locals attending the inaugural get-together, including a significant number of under 25-year-olds. The new group, Southland Gay and Lesbian Support (SGnLS) has since held their first trust board meeting, and formalised outreach plans for gays and lesbians of all ages.

“We’re thrilled with the response,” says the group’s spokesperson. “The need is huge, therefore, the potential is huge!”

The group was set up in conjunction with Public Health South “out of a concern that non-heterosexual Southlanders were are risk of being socially isolated, and of living in fear of homophobia and prejudice.”

“They hit the nail on the head!” says their spokesperson, adding that while the focus will be on LGBT youth (16-25 year-olds), “we won’t be leaving anyone out. We want to cater for all ages, all stages.”

Six people have put themselves forward as members of the inaugural trust board, and the group are hoping to attract two more board members, preferably under the age of 25. SGnLS have formalised their constitution and assigned portfolios in areas including education and awareness, Support Line coordination and funding.

The Support Line will be established within the next few weeks, to tie in with the 20th anniversary of homosexual law reform. The group will work in conjunction with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and local schools to provide ongoing youth education, by raising awareness of LGBT issues and distributing resources.

People interested in becoming members can contact the group directly on sgnls@woosh.co.nz or via Stephen Jenkins, Public Health South, on 03 211 0900.

First Meeting a success

After many planning meetings which began in February, we finally got underway with our first support meeting on Friday 9 June. And a good night it was! All of the Board members present were blown away by the number of people who showed up. We counted 30. And it was good to see a lot of new faces that we've never seen before, alongside those who've been part of the 'gay scene' for many years.

The group definitely benefitted from the article below which featured in the Southland Times the Wednesday before the meeting. Stephen Jenkins was approached by the Southland Times reporter following his submission of our ad into the Public Notices.

At the meeting Board Members put forward what we expected the group to be for and about, and asking for comments from those who attended. An indication of those willing to 'man' the Support Line phone was also asked for, and it was good to see a large number of people putting up their hands.

A follow-up meeting is in the works, scheduled for early July.

Gay support group to meet Friday for first time in city

Campbell Henderson knew from an early age he was different. At 15 he told his closest friends so.

Today he doesn't care who knows he's gay.

"I haven't had an adverse reaction to it yet ... but if people have a problem with it then that's their problem," he said.

The 19-year-old is throwing his weight behind a newly formed support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, takataapui and fa'afa-fine communities of Southland. Southland Gay and Lesbian Support, or SG'n'LS as it is known, will have its first meeting on Friday and will be run with support from Public Health South.

Public Health South health promoter and instigator of the group Stephen Jenkins said non-heterosexual Southlanders were at risk of being socially isolated and being unable to express their sexuality because of a fear of homophobia or prejudice.

The establishment of a group for non-heterosexual people was a way of promoting the well-being of the community, Mr Jenkins said.

Mr Henderson said the group hoped to be able to set up a support line and make resources about being gay and lesbian available in Southland secondary schools in the future.

Those wanting more information about the group can contact Mr Jenkins on (03) 2110900.

Upcoming Events

6 December 2006
Youth (16 - 25) Meeting
7pm, Invercargill Library Meeting Room

9 December
SGnLS Christmas BBQ

22 December
Breakfast with Tim Barnett
7.30am, Southland Community House

10 February 2007
Southland Pride Picnic
11 - 4pm, Venue coming soon!

Full Calendar >>