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So what brings you here to the shift Hu today? Um well, I just wanted to make friends and hang out. Really? So, yeah, that. Yeah. What's been your favourite part so far? Um, just hanging out with friends. Really? And just learning new things and stuff. It's really cool. Yeah. Have you been to any of the workshops? I've been to a few. Um, I'm actually pretty bad. I keep forgetting the on, so oops. Um, but yeah, I've been to a few. They're quite cool. [00:00:30] Hi. I'm looking forward to the talent show. Yeah. Yeah, because me and my friends are gonna perform a Hamilton song. Yeah, I can hear them rehearsing now. Yeah, it's awesome. And I'm excited. Yeah. So what? Um, planetary group are you from? I'm Yeah. And, um, Yeah. How have you found being part of Venus as a group? Um, yeah, it's a cool group. I'm awful [00:01:00] with astronomy, but that's OK, but yeah, Venus, the people in the group all cool. So that's good. Yeah. Um, have you made any new friends? You just been sticking with your I've definitely made quite a few new friends. Yeah, quite a few. And how far did you come from for the who? Oh, how long is it? It's a long it's from So that's, like a lot long drive. And [00:01:30] the traffic was very awful. So yay. And just to wrap it up there, Noah, um, what do you think is the most important thing about having a like this respect, I guess. You know, it'd be nice to everyone and have fun, I guess. Yeah, that's great. Thank you so much. Awesome. Well, I came here to sort of have fun and get to know other people in the rainbow community and make some new friends. Excellent. So, what have you enjoyed most [00:02:00] about this weekend so far? I've enjoyed that while I'm here, I can be myself and not worry about people judging me. Yeah, me too, Actually. Yeah. Is there anything in particular You're looking forward to, uh, doing it again next year? Yeah. Yeah. And how far have you come for the today? Uh, I'm from Wellington. Oh, OK, so not as far as some, but still a decent drive. [00:02:30] Alright. Now, um, is there any of the workshops that you particularly liked or been involved with? Um I haven't been involved with that many. But I'm really looking forward to dress ups and I can't wait to do the talent show. Yeah, I hear a lot of people are really looking forward to the talent show. Yeah. So, um, how do you feel about your relationship with the coordinators here at shift? Do you think they're doing a good job? I think they're doing a great job. And I'm just glad that something like this actually exists [00:03:00] so that we can all get together and we can all socialise. I think it's great. What do you think? You want people to take away about shift Hu? Listening to this interview I want people to I think people should realise that they're not alone and that it's OK to be them and that there are lots of people out there who support them, even though it may not feel like it. That's fantastic. Thank you so much, Mallory. You're welcome. Alright. Now, what brings you to Chef? Who are you today? Um [00:03:30] I don't know. I just had some friends who were like, there's the super cool thing. A lot of gay people, it's great. And I was like, sign me up. How far did you come for the, um I came from so it wasn't too far. It was just like an hour train, but yeah, What have you enjoyed about it? Most so far. Probably like meeting new people who, like I can, like, actually talk about this kind of thing with and [00:04:00] not have it be awkward or like, have them not know what I'm talking about, because that's kind of what it's like when I try to talk about it at school and everyone's just kind of like What? Yeah, yeah. Um, is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this weekend? Not really. Just kind of meeting more people and going to some of the workshops. I like how we have, like, our own, like, individual little groups, because that's really good for me, especially like with [00:04:30] my anxiety. I struggle in large groups and I think that it's good to be able to kind of do that, but then also, like, have the right to pass. And like, all that kind of thing, if you don't wanna necessarily do it, Yeah, um, is there anything that you would maybe like to change for next year or maybe having slightly smaller groups just so we can sort of get to know, like, our like, our group members and all that kind of thing a little bit better [00:05:00] to, like, just get, like, a better relationship with them and have it be like our, like, support network while we're here. I guess this is my first time. Like being here. So it's all pretty new to me at the moment, but yeah, I don't think there's anything being run on, like gender neutral things that might be nice to sort of focus on maybe a little bit more of the not as well known [00:05:30] identities. Right, Tessa? So what's been your experience of the so far? It's been pretty great, but definitely to get to sleep. Yeah, I've had a couple of people tell me they've had some sleepless nights. So what's been your favourite part so far? Oh, meeting meeting people. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, where did you come from today? So was that a good trip down? It was alright. It was a bit cramped. How are you finding the, uh, organisation [00:06:00] of the really good? I think they're doing quite well at keeping track of everyone. Yeah, and I really like the plane. Oh, no. I'm so sorry. What? What group were you in? Neptune. Yeah, Well, we have to find the Neptune coordinator and get you another one, won't we? Yeah. All right. Well, thank you so much for that. I'll let you go now. So could you tell me a bit about your role here at shift today? Um, so [00:06:30] my current role at the share shift is that I am a A tour. So is, like a guardian and, um, someone to be there for the youth to attend the So my role is pretty much just to yeah, be a guide and be a positive role model And check up on people to make sure they're OK. Yeah, that's awesome. So I hear you guys are divided into planetary groups. Is that right? Yes. Um, guess what plane? That I am. Yes. I can see you've got a lovely [00:07:00] blue planet badge there. Yes, yes. Um, my planet is Uranus. And yes, um, it's a lot of laughs are behind the planet now, especially with the group. Um, yeah. So it makes you quite happy to be here. So when I first heard about it, I was like, Oh, yes, that would be so fun playing around with this name. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's essentially a plane that I'm in. No, that's cool. So you guys come up with, like, planet mascots and things, right? Yes. Um, [00:07:30] do I want to ask this question? Well, the planet mascot in age. Well, you know, this is entirely the group's idea, and I let them have full creative leader. Um, they wanted to draw a batch, OK? And so they drew a but a rainbow coming out of the batch and with an asteroid like on the but kind of like claiming his butt as Uranus. Um, and it was very colourful. It's like the rainbow flag as a batch. And, [00:08:00] um, it's got colourful stars and everything. It's kind of like, yeah, and we did a presentation on it in terms of like, you know, like, um, presenting a new idea to a bunch of people saying this is our design, and this is our belief behind our design. And we are stuck behind that, um, but a lot of the a lot of the, um a lot of the kids were quite nervous about it. So only like two got up to to present it. So I got up to support them for it. That's good. Um, but yeah. No, it definitely [00:08:30] stood out. I. I had so much fun doing it. Yeah, that's cool. So, um, back to the as a whole. Um, have you had any favourite workshops that you've attended so far? Um, I haven't attended many workshops, to be honest, because I guess, um, I like to kind of keep my mind clear and just relax and focus on my role. But so far I've been involved in 21 was just a panel about minorities [00:09:00] in the community. Um, and yeah, I'm pretty nervous about that. Yeah, but anyway, um, and another one was a workshop for, um, trance individuals, which went very, very well. Um, I'm just trying to think, but those are the only things I've been a part of so far. Um, I usually, um, spend my most of my time around the crafting table being an artist, so I just really enjoy sitting around other creative minds and, you know, supporting them in that way. I can, um but I But this Sunday, I am [00:09:30] planning to go to the, um you need the workshop? Um, it's called Vogue Vogue. Something I'm not quite sure. The the entire title of the thing, but apparently it's gonna be very glamorous, I'm sure. Yeah. Um, run by the south Auckland. So I I'm looking forward to attending that today. Yes. No, that sounds excellent. So, with the as a whole, what do you think is the most important part about it in terms of supporting young people? Um, from my personal experience, when I first [00:10:00] came out as Trans, um, this this event was it was called Patch Worker in that time. Um, but this was literally the first event. Um, I appeared in that exposed me to the entire rainbow community. Um, and it was such a positive and fantastic experience, which really changed my life and really kind of gave me the confidence and the strength to kind of like, face the outside world. Um, it's so I can so seeing that all the new faces that come here [00:10:30] and the people that attend the events, um, they'll be going through some of the experiences making new friends and learning so many, so much vital information, which they can take in for themselves and share it with the rest of the community. It's, um yeah, it's It's such a big deal, you know? And like not, you know, in the society we live in, you know, being quite difficult. You know, um, this is quite a unique event, and it doesn't happen so often, so you know, it's it's a very special when it happens. And, um, [00:11:00] I really love it. And I really love to see all the youth enjoying themselves and having fun. Cool. So just to wrap it up here, what do you think is your favourite part of the overall? Um, pretty much all of it. To be honest, Yeah. Um, I, I just I love the atmosphere. You know, um, I I love to. I love to see everyone learning. I like to see everyone just being themselves because I understand being transgender as well is is very difficult. [00:11:30] It could be very difficult in society to be who you are. So I I can say that. Yeah. My favourite part of the is that seeing everyone just really you know, you know letting go of all their restraints, really being who they want to be without the worry of judgement and other things we face in the real world. Yeah. All right, Um, before we close, is there anything you'd like to add or talk about for the listeners at home? Uh, well, um, if you ever you know, [00:12:00] I suggest come to the hood, apply for it. Especially if you're a youth. Um, even if you even if you don't, um, meet the age criteria. You could always volunteer and help out as a tour. Kind of or, you know, or volunteer to help run the event. Because, yeah, I suggest, you know, this is, like a very, um, great opportunity and such a fantastic event, and, you know, as the only way we can go forward here is to make it bigger and bigger. But in order to do that, we need more people to help out, So yeah. [00:12:30] So, yeah, what more do you hope to get out of this? So, um, I wanna make a lot more friends. Yeah, friends. And just meet people with interesting stories and learn more about how to, like, run a QS a kind of thing in our school and that kind of thing. Everyone here is really interesting. And it's really nice to meet everyone. What's been your favourite workshop so far? Um, technically, [00:13:00] I haven't been to any workshops. OK, but that sounds terrible. No, no. All good. Um, is it what you expected it to be? Kind of, I think I don't know what I was expecting This. This is great. Yeah. Where did you come from to get here today? I'm from Oh, OK, so was it a good journey? Um, yeah, it was fun. I. I came with my friends. That's good. That's good. And you guys are all in the same group together. Yeah, we are. We have a A at the Youth Services Trust. [00:13:30] That's cool. That's really cool. Um, my identity, Um, I think, um Well, yeah, I think my pronoun is probably unknown. Yeah, because I don't see myself as I don't see myself. Nor she or he Nor you know, anything. I just see myself as fabulously me. That's all right, then. So what brings you here to shift today? Um, I came to shift because I was forced down here. Honestly, I was forced down here. Um, just so that, um we could, [00:14:00] um Well, I could get more, um, more information on, um, you know, other aspects and stuff that are going around and things like that. But yeah, I'm not really used to the whole, um, gathering of the LGBT Q I community. I'm I'm a type of person where I keep to myself. Um, because I feel like that. Um, yeah, I can't I can't. I feel like I don't identify as LGBT QI. I [00:14:30] just simply identify as a spiritual animal that's here to help you. All right. So how far have you come today to get to the, um I came from Auckland, and I'm so tired, like I my Yeah, when people ask me questions, it's, like all over the place, But yeah, I'm just Yeah, I'm just I'm browsing, ready for the shade. So, in terms of shade, what do you think is more hurtful getting shared from your own community in terms [00:15:00] of the LGBT Q I community. Despite what you identify as or from the straight community? First of all, and LGBT Q, I is not my community. I don't identify as LGBT Q I because I am a different I am not part of or him her or trans woman. Or, you know, I'm simply just and there's just a spirit walking the earth. No, I totally understand your aspect and your point of view, but, um and you know what I'm talking about along the lines of [00:15:30] I shave. Well, I think, um, it's more powerful getting shaved from your own LGBT Q I community. Only because, um, I feel that, um, we should be one. It's, you know, it's just, um, got to do with It's just got to do with, like, a whole lot of, um I guess how holding yourself up or building your walls Because of what? Um, whatever they've been through. And I think that's where she comes from. I mean, not from, but, you know, I totally understand. [00:16:00] So how do you think that we as a community, So I'm gonna just identify as a community can, you know, work on ways to improve it from happening, because I see a lot of girls that think it's all about competition and honey. It's all about competition nowadays because I mean, that's why that's in their mind frame. It's all about competition. I think they're just sucked in the whole stereotypic. Um, you know, you gotta look this way or, you know, you gotta look that way. You know, this is, um, more women. This is, you know, you know things like that. And I don't believe in that. I don't stand for that. [00:16:30] You know, I don't stand for that type of bullshit. You know, I feel like if you're just happy and you love yourself, then that's all you need. Do you believe that we are all equal? Definitely. I definitely feel that we are all equal, and it's just Yeah, it's just it's just sad because, um, some of us build our walls higher than others, and it's kind of had to communicate, especially with our younger generation that's coming out. It's more how to communicate with, um, the younger generation, because the older generation feel that just because they have paved the way for the next generation that [00:17:00] that, um, they need to be acknowledged. So I'm here with your name, please. Excellent. OK, Britney. So what's been your role here at the, uh, I am called, Uh, I think, Yeah. Um which is, like just a, I don't know, like a guide sort of thing for, like, a group. And, um, just looking out for some of the young people that are here And, yeah, just making sure, like kitchen [00:17:30] preps done and everything's tidy and just hanging out and supporting the young people. I guess so we're nearing the end of the weekend so far. Has there been any highlights for you? Are the people definitely. I think the atmosphere there's almost like a journey through the atmosphere of the and I love it. Like, um, I think Friday is always really cool to look at when you're on your last. You know, on the last day, it's cool to look back at that. And, um, everyone's [00:18:00] so nervous and anxious and, um, whether they've come on their own or with a whole group of people, you've always got some sort of nerves or, um, something like that. And I think, um, then, as people slowly get to know each other and, um, the environment slowly starts to become, you know, you get to know the place and, um, going to the workshops and you just sort of start to open up a lot more. And so it's really cool that, um, like tonight being the last night, everyone's [00:18:30] really chill and hanging out together and there's so many people. And I think, whereas on Friday some people were like, Oh, I'll just sit on my own and not do anything I think tonight, like I've seen a lot of people just randomly walk up to people and be like, Hey, guys like I haven't had a chance to speak to you yet And there's just a lot more confidence in everyone And I think it's just been such a beautiful journey, you know? Yeah. Um, so in regards to the workshops, have you had any favourites so far? They're all pretty nifty. Like, Yeah, um, [00:19:00] being biassed, I'd have to say the today one that I did was pretty cool. I just enjoyed that. We were all able to share the knowledge rather than, um, leading it or anything. I was just able to have discussions with people and share that knowledge, which was really cool. Yeah, so I enjoyed that. So, what do you think is most important about having all the youth here for something like this? safety, I think, um, [00:19:30] reminding everyone that, um, this is a judgement free place. Um, you can be as out there as you want to be or not, or as confident as you want to be or not. And, um, you can show that emotion and your anxieties, and you can totally share that and embrace that, or you can do the opposite. And I think just knowing that you're not going to be judged and that there are people here to support you, you can be out [00:20:00] and proud and, um, that you're safe doing all of those things, I think, Yeah, that's so huge. Yeah, And just to wrap it up here, is there anything that you'd like to see? Um, different for next year? Or anything you'd like to add on, I think more crazy out there. Things like the zumba and the yoga. I really enjoyed those because it got people laughing as well as being able to go off to those serious things, feeling like we've still got that laughter to come back [00:20:30] to. Um, like, we had some quite deep conversations this morning in one of our like faith forums and and, uh, some of the, um, sexual health forums and the relationship forums and those sorts of things. So some of the things that can be quite heavy but totally need to be talked about. But then for us to all just go outside and enjoy the sunshine and dance like complete crazy people, it was just really cool. And we were all able to laugh at each other rather than doing it in a nasty way. You know, it was it was lovingly and we could just be absolutely insane. [00:21:00] It was amazing. Yeah. Yeah. It was really brilliant to watch you guys. Yeah. So definitely more of that. Yeah. Is there anything that you'd like to say for the listeners at home about the or in general? It's amazing, Like, you know, if you know, um, young people in New Zealand, um, who who are non hetero, non binary, or in some way diverse? Um, I think totally making them aware [00:21:30] that this is an amazing thing to get involved in, Um, whether it's, um, you know, supporting the inside our organisation or whether it's, um yeah, just in some way coming to it and enjoying the workshops and, um, the environment is the most amazing thing ever. Um, yeah. So just connecting people to what? Yeah, to what's here? Because it's such an amazing resource. [00:22:00] Um, yeah. So could you please tell me a little bit about your role here today at the So I'm one of two, therapists here so very much in the background. Supporting and I was also involved in the training on Friday. Oh, so what does that involve? So this is the group that are supporting the youth and the planet groups. And on Friday morning, we just went over the [00:22:30] the role and did some role plays, looking at situations that that might arise and reminding them of the importance of pacing themselves and looking after themselves as well. That's excellent. So what kind of support systems do we have in place for the and for the youth involved? So around the who are the people that are working directly with the youth? Um, Tabby's come up with all these terms, but we have [00:23:00] planets, um, front line and then around the planet's moons. And I believe there's asteroids and various other people who sort of come in and out over the weekend So my sense is that this is a very safe and lots of thought has gone into how to make make that happen. Yeah. So have you been involved in any of the workshops so far? Have you attended any? Um, yes, last night, Um, my colleague Tommy Hamilton [00:23:30] and I ran a a brief workshop looking at the issue of intersex. So we showed a a youth video that was filmed in America and and then had AAA short Q and A with the group, which was fantastic. And then we also talked about a project that Tommy and I are working on looking at improving service providers, working with our community, particularly around the issue of mental distress. And do you feel [00:24:00] that your audience was receptive to that workshop was great audience, you know, given that it was quite late at night and the questions were thoughtful and just shows me why I enjoy spending time with young people. It's interesting. I am an older person I identified as non-binary really before there was a language to be able to do that. And I find that young people get it and understand it much more than most people my own generation in age. [00:24:30] So what's been your favourite part of this weekend So far? I've been coming out here to this particular for a long time. I think it's, um, over 14 years ago, I came to the first here. And so some of the people, um, literally, I've watched grow up over the years, and it's lovely to see people who were very young, um, 14 years ago and leadership roles now. And that's what it's all about is [00:25:00] making sure that generation coming through is is supported and and the leadership roles are developed. Yeah. So is there anything that you would like to see shift, uh, change for next year's? Um, we've outgrown this space. There's too many of us here. Um, I think we've managed at a squeak, but, um, this is really not big enough to support the number of people that we've got [00:25:30] here and then workshop space. So, um, as sad as that might be, maybe we can hold a regional here. One that's I. I think around about 80 people. But for a gathering of this size, because I believe we've got more than 100 and 50 here I think we need to find a new venue somewhere. So it's both sad and exciting, You know, wonderful that we need to find the space because there's now so many young people who who want to come, who need to come. Yeah, and [00:26:00] what's so important about having young people and who is like this? It's the same as it was when I was a young person. When when you are different and you don't feel like you belong or are validated with your peers, you need to find a space where you can be supported where you can be yourself. There will be people here who are not even safe to be out at home. I mean, some people will be, but I know that there are some who are not, and there'll be some people at schools [00:26:30] where they're not even supported. And I know myself what it was like growing up, um, in a situation where it wasn't safe to be myself, and there's way too many wasted years. So if we can support people to be themselves and and ensure that there's a support network around that, um so that people can go on to lead Purposeful, Fantastic. Great lives like everyone should. So just to wrap it up, is there anything else that you would like to add for those [00:27:00] listening at home? Um, if people are interested in supporting this work, then go on to some of the youth websites. You know, I would suggest supporting queer youth in your local area so the first spot might be finding out, Um, what queer youth groups are in your local area and you'll be surprised because there's quite a few of them in New Zealand and all of them are struggling financially. So if people are are are moved by what they hear in this programme, that's what I'd encourage people to do.
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