Lesbian Wellington

2nd Asia Pacific Outgames Wellington March 2011

In 2011 the Asia Pacific Outgames will be hosted by Wellington. Visit the Outgames website at www.wellingtonoutgames.com, for more info including:

• registrations now open - with an earlybird fee that can get you up to 35% off the standard fee
• how you can volunteer - they need all sorts of help!
• co-ordinator needed for softball - the current coordinators are unable to see it through till the end of tournament so the Games organisers are super keen to talk with anyone who thinks they have what it takes to finish the job. Quite a bit of the work has already been done but without a coordinator Softball will not remain in the tournament.
• co-ordinator needed for football (round ball) so it can be added to the games

2nd Asia Pacific Outgames Human Rights Conference

This Conference will be held in Wellington on 16th - 18th March, in association with the Games. The Conference Organising Group are inviting individuals, groups and organisations to indicate their interest in contributing to the conference streams. Information about conference registration is also available on the Outgames website.

Armstrong & Arthur Charitable Trust for Lesbians

Applications for the next round of grants close on July 31 2010

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.

Risqué - queer cabaret set to raise a few eyebrows

The Ruby Lounge (14 Bond St, Wellington)
Saturday 14th August, 9pm.
Ticket bookings: tomboiproductions@paradise.net.nz
Featuring more than 20 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender performers in a mix of singing, dance, lip-synching, live comedy, spoken word and gender bending.
"Easily offended people should stay at home," says Andy.

Same-sex couple adoption – talk by Claudia Geiringer

Rainbow Wellington has arranged for Claudia Geiringer to speak on this subject on Thursday 19 August at Kitty O’Shea’s, 28, Courtenay Place, starting at 6 pm. The upstairs bar will be open for drinks from 5.30.

Claudia is the barrister who won the recent landmark Court case for de facto heterosexual couple adoption. She will speak about the case itself, the Bill of Rights issues involved, the input from the Attorney-General, how the case was won, and possible strategies for the next step. She is very willing to take questions and input from the floor. More information at the Rainbow Wellington website

Sublime - The Art & Sculpture Solo Exhibit

An exciting mix of paintings and sculptures to cater for all your needs. From flower power to nudity, and the occasional landscapes of Wellington.
Opening Monday 13th September at 6.00pm
Venue: Thistle Hall, Cuba Street
Hours to view: 14th – 18th September 2010 from 10am to 6.00pm.
To be Auctioned on Saturday 18th September, 2010 at 7.00pm.

Download the poster

Community profiles on PrideNZ.com

Over the last twelve years local gay man Gareth Watkins together with Hannah Ho, Alison Laurie, Hinemoana Baker and others have recorded Queer/LGBTI people talking on a wide range of topics. Gareth has created the website PrideNZ.com to share these recordings so that anyone can reflect on Queer/LGBTI issues. Those featured include Hinemoa Baker and Alison Laurie, as well as recordings from the 2009 KAHA National Queer Youth Hui, and students and teachers talking about what it's like being gay at school. The audio files can be streamed or downloaded.

Kiwi 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.
• Amazon Softball recruiting video - join up for the 2011 season!
• 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

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 quiet 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 send a general outline of your intended use and dates you would like access to: stonepapersissors@gmail.com.

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

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.

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 website www.rainbowgardeners.net for information about their upcoming events.

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

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 group 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.