In this podcast Brendan talks about growing up and being a facilitator with Schools Out - a queer youth group in Wellington. This interview was funded by a generous grant from Roger Smith.
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In this podcast interview, Brendan Goudswaard discusses their experiences with growing up LGBTQ+ in Wellington, New Zealand, and their role as a facilitator with Schools Out, a queer youth group. Goudswaard delves into the support and social networking provided by Schools Out, which offers a safe space for queer youth after school hours. As a former attendee of the group during high school, the facilitator shares a personal connection with the organization, reflecting on how it empowered them to navigate coming out and dealing with bullying.
Goudswaard speaks candidly about the varying levels of acceptance and challenges faced by queer youth in different schools across Wellington, emphasizing the diversity of experiences within the LGBTQ+ student community. The interview also touches on the facilitator's efforts in raising awareness and education on LGBTQ+ issues in schools, including confronting homophobia and navigating varied reactions from peers and faculty members.
Goudswaard's account of coming out, both at school and to their family, illustrates their journey and the supportive environment they encountered at Wellington High. Despite some initial difficulties, the facilitator recounts the overall positive response from their family and the ensuing journey towards self-acceptance and advocacy.
Serving as a community development worker for Wellington's LGBTQ+ community, Goudswaard is deeply involved in a variety of initiatives such as the GBLT Sandwich group for young adults, potential expansion into other areas, as well as being an active participant in committees like Out Wellington and Safety in Schools for Queers. Their community engagement extends to organizing events such as art exhibitions and anti-bullying campaigns like Pink Shirt Day, and performing as a drag queen under the stage name Ellie Kat.
The facilitator addresses the ongoing presence of homophobia and the complexities it can bring into one's professional and personal life, while also underscoring the importance of community work and being a visible role model for those who may not feel as confident in their identities.
Looking to the future, Goudswaard expresses hopes to establish additional support structures for queer youth and to continue contributing to the LGBTQ+ community through various passions and voluntary efforts. The facilitator's vision includes creating a safe drop-in center accessible to youth at all times.
The interview rounds off with information on how to contact or engage with the groups mentioned, along with a light-hearted conversation about the facilitator's personal life and interests outside of LGBTQ+ activism.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
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