Lesbian Wellington

Work, Love and Play in Diverse Family Life in Australia and New Zealand

Are you same sex attracted and parenting at least one child under the age of 18?

The Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University, is currently running a major study into the way in which lesbian and gay parents organise their household and parenting responsibilities and the impact of parenting on same-sex relationships. This study will extend our previous research as well as the work of our colleagues around Australia and New Zealand.

This is the first survey of its kind in Australia and New Zealand. It is an opportunity for you to contribute to a greater understanding of our families. If you'd like to be part of this study, please click on the link www.thissurvey.com/bouverie to visit the website and complete the online survey. More information about the project can also be found at the website, including contact details for the researchers.

Armstrong & Arthur Charitable Trust
for Lesbians

The Armstrong & Arthur Charitable Trust for Lesbians provides financial support for lesbian community activities in the Wellington region. 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.

CABARET Q - The Outing

An original musical tour de force that weaves powerful stories of the queer community through song and dance - sharing our loves and losses, and most importantly, our hopes and dreams for a better world. A community based theatre project originated and produced by Toni Regan, directed by Cherie Chapman.

Cabaret Q - The Outing, will run over three nights in October - Thursday 16^th to Saturday 18^th.

Contact Suzen suznbelly@yahoo.com or Toni toni@redboots.co.nz for more info.

Creative studio residency for lesbians

The free use of a studio space is offered to lesbian women to follow their creative goals. Sitting on the water in the Paramata inlet, it offers solitude to write, study or follow any kind of artistic or creative endeavor. It 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. All running costs are covered except for power. The studio will become available again in November, although there are potentially weekday spaces available from now until then. This space is for daytime use only.

To apply: Please forward an outline of how you intend to use the studio and how it will help further your personal or professional endeavors. Please include a description your projects/works over the last two years, what materials and equipment you might use and if there are any noise or safety issues involved in your work. Please specify if you need the studio on a full or part time basis and when and for how many months you wish to use it. (6 month max)

Selection for the residency is made by a small group of Wellington women with an interest in women realizing their creative potential. Please send your application or enquiries to buzzword@paradise.net.nz.

Out in the Square

Out in the Square 2009 Gay and Lesbian Fair is scheduled to take place a week earlier than usual, on Saturday February 28th 2009. The 7th of March has been secured for a rain date. This means Out in the Square will be part of Wellington City Council's Summer City Festival, and will take place in relation to other Wellington events such as the Children's Art Festival and Vodafone's Homegrown. More info at www.outinthesquare.co.nz.

Exhibition: Assume Nothing

• at The NewDowse, Lower Hutt
• April 12 -August 31, 2008

Assume Nothing, a challenging and sensitive exploration of the complex world of gender diversity, features 23 outstanding images by photographer Rebecca Swann, eight animated portraits and a documentary by award-winning film maker, Kirsty McDonald.

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 6pm at S&M (Scotty and Mals cocktail bar and lounge at 176 Cuba St). 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.

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, as well as having weekend and holidays things to do. Check http://www.gaywellington.org/schoolsout.htm 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 - there are now three to listen to.

Gay Helpline

An information and advice service for lesbian, gay, trans, questioning, coming out, whatever. More info at www.gaywellington.org/ or phone them at 4737878.

Lesbian writers and poets group

Laura in Marton would like to start a writers and poets group in the Rangitikei, Wanganui and Manawatu area. It will be open to any lezzie who really who likes to pull words together in creative ways and is interested in connecting with other writers. more ....

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.

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)

Galaxies

The Galaxies gay & lesbian Christian group meets at St Andrews on The Terrace, upstairs in the common room. Meetings are normally at 5.30pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Check the GalaXies website www.galaxies.dns2go.com for more information.

TV guide

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

Lesbian Radio Programme

The weekly Lesbian Radio Programme is broadcast on Sundays, 10 - 11 am, on Wellington Access Radio 783 AM.

Visit www.accessradio.org.nz/lesbian_community.html, where you can listen to or download podcasts of the last three programmes. Each Sunday's programme will be online the next day and will be available for three weeks. Listening directly gives good sound quality on a good urban dialup connection. Broadband helpful for the downloading option, however, as the files are over 11 Mb [download time 35-45min with good urban dialup].
The theme on Sunday 27 July was pregnancy.