What's on in Lesbian Wellington

New book: That’s What I Am: Oral Histories of Older Lesbians

Lois Cox's book, That’s What I Am: Oral Histories of Older Lesbians, has just been published by Town Belt Press, the publishing imprint owned by Hilary Lapsley and Lois.

The book draws on interviews conducted in the late 1990s with sixteen New Zealand lesbians over the age of fifty. It tells the women’s stories through the decades, capturing memories of childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, falling in love and establishing relationships. The storytellers talk of navigating identity and social stigma and forming connections to Wellington’s lesbian community. Together, their lives paint a vivid picture of resilience and solidarity.

The book is available from Unity Books Wellington, the Women’s Bookshop in Auckland, and other booksellers. Any queries to townbeltpress@xtra.co.nz

Sadly, some of the storytellers whose oral histories are the basis for the book have died - but we hope that storytellers still in the Wellington area will be able to come to the book launch, to be organised for late in March ... details coming

Quiz night at LILAC

Friday 28^th March, 7-9:30pm @ LILAC Lounge, level 2, 187 Willis St.

Gather your lezzie friends for a fun night out.

• Teams of 4 or 5, or register individually and we’ll put you into a team
• $5 per person entry
• Nibbles provided, BYO drinks

Register your team by emailing lilac@lesbian.net.nz

• If you have a team, tell us your team’s name and names of team members
• Just your name if you want to join a team on the night
• Payment: cash or online (on the night or before). LILAC bank account: Westpac 030502 0030496 00 using your name and "Quiz" as the reference.
• Be in quick! Space is limited in the LILAC Lounge, so we will need registrations before the event

All lesbians welcome.

Occasional drinks & dinner at Finns Bar, Paekākāriki

Held on the third Friday (usually) of the month at Finns Bar, Paekākāriki.
Next: Friday 21^st March from 5.30 pm

Please phone Finns and add your [first] name to Sally’s table 04 292 8081 or email finnshotel2021@hotmail.com and book a seat at Sally's table.

Polari  - Fantabulosa!

Polari is a queer inclusive cocktail party held at a different style-y bar in Wellington, usually on a Friday, sometimes late in the month. Keep an eye on the facebook page for more info.

• Friday 28^th March 5:30pm @ Choice Bros Ghuznee Street - facebook event page.

LILAC  - Wellington's Lesbian Library

LILAC is a lending library for lesbians and queer women with a great selection of books, DVDs and magazines. It is at level 2, 187 Willis Street (flat access from the street, lift).
More info on the LILAC website at lilac.lesbian.net.nz - try the TinyCat searchable catalogue.

LILAC is open:

• Wednesdays 5.30-7.30 pm
• Thursdays 11 am-2 pm
• Saturdays 11 am-2 pm

Wellington Racqueteers Wāhine night  - celebrating Pride

Next: Friday 11^th April 6pm @ Badminton Wellington Centre, 1 Ruahine St., Hataitai

Calling all queer, lesbian, bi women, transwomen, non-binary and non-male identifying people! There is now a social badminton night designed for you. The cost is $10 plus $5 racquet hire if necessary. facebook event page. Register to attend by emailing wgtnracqueteers@gmail.com. This event is usually held the first Friday of the month.

Kāpiti lesbians dining out

Potlucks are held on the Kāpiti Coast, usually on the first Saturday of the month. Lesbians from any area is welcome to attend - bring a mains or dessert to share, beverage of your choice. Singles and couples are welcome, as are visiting lesbians. The dates and venues are advertised via Leonie's email list.

LILAC has a Kāpiti service - bringing books, DVDs etc plus membership forms - to the monthly dinners so that women can join the library and borrow. Check the LILAC website for more information.

Lesbian coming out meet-up

Saturday 17^th May 2-4pm @ LILAC Lounge, level 2, 187 Willis St.

A [mostly] monthly event hosted at LILAC for women who have recently come out, or are thinking about coming out as lesbian, to meet in a relaxed and supportive social environment. Pass it on - let your friends know!
Held on the third Saturday of the month [but skipping Easter in April, and takes a break in December & January]

Lesbian Overland and Café Club

The Overlanders toddled off into the sunset ... to join the Wellington Wanderers in 2024.

The Lesbian Overland and Café Club was a social walking group for lesbians and their women friends. The first Overlanders walk was in November 1990; it continued on from the Lesbian Tramping Club which had it's first outing on 12 March 1988 - a walk to Butterfly Creek in the hills behind Eastbourne ... the Overlanders went there a few times as well. The final Overlanders walk was at Hemi Matenga, Waikanae in April 2024 ... more on the Overlanders page.

Planning a trip to New Zealand or an outdoor adventure

• Sidetracks women - guided outdoors adventures.
• Women's Adventures NZ - more outdoors adventures.
• Women Travel New Zealand - essential information for the woman traveller visiting New Zealand.
• New Zealand Awaits - small group trips and bespoke adventures.