Lesbian Wellington

2nd Asia Pacific Outgames Wellington 2011

In 2011 the Asia Pacific Outgames will be hosted by Wellington. Visit the Outgames website at www.wellington2011.com, including their fundraising events.

The organisers want more women to get involved. You don't need to be an expert, but you do need to be passionate and have some time to donate. There is so much to do in order to make this a successful event. They need people to help with arts & culture, sports, human rights, and events as well as finance, sponsorship, marketing, media database management, PR, writing, cultural protocol (Maori, Asian, Pacifica), web development, minute taking and more. Check the website (link above), or to have a chat about possibilities please contact Hamish Allardice on 04 389 2220, 027 488 6255.

Armstrong & Arthur Charitable Trust for Lesbians

The Armstrong and Arthur Charitable Trust for Lesbians was established in 2001 by the late Bea Arthur for the benefit of lesbian community groups in the Welington region. The Trust is named to recognise and remember the 57 year relationship of Bea and her partner the late Bette Armstrong. The Trustees invite applications for assistance, as grants, for projects and activities that will benefit all or part of the lesbian communities in the Wellington region. The Wellington region is defined as the Lower North Island South of the Manawatu Gorge. Visit the Trust website www.lesbiantrust.org.nz for information about how to apply for grants, and how to donate or make bequests to the Trust.

Local lesbians on YouTube etc.

We are everywhere ... on the internet - some to look out for include:

• Local Wellington lesbian musician, Dr Falconer, has the ambitious goal of getting 10 million views of her new song on youtube - a song that would be illegal in 85 countries because of its promotion of gay love and commitment.
• The Lesbian Elders Village video made at their Winter Hui is also on youtube.
• and on Mash Pit Comedy some Christchurch lesbians - The world is turning gay

Creative studio residency for lesbians

A room of one's own

The free use of this day-time studio space is offered to lesbian women to follow creative goals. It offers solitude to write, study or follow any kind of artistic or creative endeavor or simply the space to gather ones thoughts. This year it has been used to write, study, read, chill-out, paint, and as a quite space away from it all to create vows for a civil union.

Situated on the Paramata inlet, is comfortable, sheltered and sunny with doors opening onto the tidal estuary. It is a 20-minute drive from Wellington, or by train the nearest stop is Mana, a short walk away.

To apply please forward an outline of your intended use and dates you would like access to: buzzword@paradise.net.nz.

Thanks to the Armstrong & Arthur Charitable Trust for Lesbians for covering power costs.

Wellington Rainbow Gardening Group

A group for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Takataapui, Transgender, Fa'afafine and Intersex people of all ages who have an interest in gardening, and their friends and partners. Visit their new website www.rainbowgardeners.net. Formerly called the Wellington GLITTFaB Gardening Group

Gay and Lesbian Help-Line

Providing information, advice, active listening, youth support and more Helpline Services to the whole lesbian, gay, trans, questioning, coming out, whatever community. Staffed by Gay / Lesbian / Takatäpui / Queer Volunteers. More info at www.gaywellington.org/ or phone them at 04-473-7878.

Queers Gone Kiwi

Queers Gone Kiwi is New Zealand's mostly social group for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Immigrants. They gather every Wednesday from 6 pm at S&M (Scotty and Mals) cocktail bar and lounge at 176 Cuba St, for informal drinks and chat. Just turn up or email queersgonekiwi@yahoo.co.nz if you haven't been before or it has been a while and you would like to be introduced to the group. QGC also organise other events from time to time - theatre trips, Easter camp ... just email them.

School's Out

School's Out is a support and hang out group for queer, gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, takataapui, fa'afafine, and questioning teenagers (12-22) in the Greater Wellington area. They meet Thursday afternoons in Wellington central and fortnightly in Lower Hutt (during school terms), as well as having weekend and holidays things to do. Check www.bebo.com/schoolsout for more information, or email them at queer_schools_out@hotmail.com.

The Gay Welfare website www.gayline.gen.nz has podcasts of queer youth sharing their stories of coming out.

Rainbow families

There is a national Rainbow Families website and emailing list www.rainbowfamiliesnz.org to exchange information around NZ and also just to chat about raising our kids LBGT style!

Rainbow Families Wellington is a regional eGroup for local and regional activities, events and news. Activities are organised for the second Sunday of each month.

Pride and Joy Play Group

A play group for pre-school children from diverse families including sanme-sex parents and donor families of any flavour. There are also weekend lunches once a term for school age children

If you think your children would benefit from getting to know kids from families like theirs, email Stephanie at pride_and_joy.ymail.com

Out Takes 2010

The Reel Queer team are already preparing for the Out Takes 2010 film festival, and gave sent out their first newsletter. Go to www.outtakes.org.nz to see what they are up to, and opportunities to volunteer in Wellington and Auckland. Sign up for their email newsletter to keep up to date.

TRANZform

A group for young people (30ish and under) who identify as transgender, genderqueer, non-gendered, questioning and their allies. We meet the second Tuesday of the month, for yarns, support, food and mischief making. The first meeting is in November - email tranzform.wgtn@gmail.com for more information

About Us: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and the Law in New Zealand

MSD's GLBTI Policy has worked in conjunction with Whitireia Community Law Centre to produce an online legal resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, takataapui, fa'afafine, transsexual, transgender and intersex people (and anyone else who doesn't fit into heterosexual or gender norms!). The resource is housed on the Community Law Centre website - currently on its front page at www.communitylaw.org.nz

Keeping it safe

- a sexual and reproductive health guide for same sex attracted women

The NZ Family Planning Association have produced a booklet for any woman who has sex with women. It's practical guide on reducing risks, and maintaining sexual, reproductive and mental health.

Copies can be obtained at LILAC library.
Or for up to two free copies please send a stamped self addressed A5 envelope to:
  FPA Resource Unit, P.O. Box 11515, Wellington
3-50 copies cost $10 (postage and handling)

TV guide

GayNZ.com have an excellent guide to TV programmes of interest.