Rainbow Youth is asking for sponsorship for queer youth from all over New Zealand who want to attend the hui Kazam! The Auckland-based glbt youth support group is hosting the hui over Queen's Birthday Weekend. It's aiming to empower, inspire and encourage young people to facilitate the event, show and develop leadership from the discussions and forums, run their own workshops and have lots of fun. It has up to 200 youth who want to attend and is now looking for financial support to help make it happen. TRainbow Youth is charging $60 a head, which covers food, accommodation and events for the full three days. "However $60 is not a small amount for some people," Rainbow Youth says. "And an unachievable amount for others. We are seeking support in this area and looking to businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor a young person to come - it could make the biggest difference in someone's life and your generosity and support would be appreciated beyond measure. " It says sponsors can directly contribute through helping queer youth to be in a powerful environment where they can discuss key issues, improve awareness around isolation, bullying and depression and develop of the first national queer youth network. "As in many cases support and generosity is paramount in the success of this event and for it to fully realise its potential as a powerful tool in the development and education of Aotearoa's queer youth, youth that will carry the experiences gained and friendships made onwards, to help strengthen, support and lead diversity within New Zealand as a whole," Rainbow Youth says. If you would like to sponsor a youth (or two) to attend ‘KAZAM!' please donate at Rainbowyouth.org.nz/kazam If you have any further inquiries about this initiative or our organisation and how you can help support Rainbow Youth then either email info@rainbowyouth.org.nz or call 09 376 4155. Christchurch's queer and transgender support youth groups Q-topia and Forge have suffered from the two Christchurch earthquakes, losing two venues in succession. It's now based at Family Planning, but its plans to help its youth get to Kazam! have been hampered because its major Christchurch Pride Week fundraiser has been cancelled. “We are calling on our queer family nationwide to help us get our groups to Auckland, by sponsoring flights for one person each, or donating whatever possible. If the groups ever needed the break away and to attend this valuable training it is now, with your help I am sure we can get them all there,” says administrator Anne Nicholson. Q-topia is running its own fundraiser with the help of Number 8 Films, a screening of Violet Tendencies at Hoyts Riccarton on Thursday 12 May at 8pm. For further details on supporting the groups or the Violet Tendencies film night, contact Anne Nicholson on 027 228 6159 or tiggial@hotmail.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 4th May 2011 - 10:09am