Gay Wellington's helpline received a steady number of calls in 2011, and the volunteers who run the service are planning for the future. The part-time phoneline is run by 12 volunteers, while ten others are currently in training to take calls. In 2011 it received 150 calls, a slight dip from the 157 it received the previous year. Gay Wellington says from June the number of calls increased every month compared to the previous year. "We talked to callers for about 40 hours over the 12 months, out of a total of 300 hours when we were available," says co-chair Stu Donaldson, adding that 44 per cent of the calls were from women. "Most calls were 'counselling' calls or general chats. A small number of callers asked about venues or referrals to different glbti groups." Among the discussion topics were coming out, first time same-sex experiences, married men with same-sex attraction, relationship break-ups, transgender issues and parents who found out their children were gay. Gay Wellington says it's aiming to link up with OUTLine to take national calls sometime this year. The group also runs a support group for men who are questioning their sexuality, Newcomers, which will return for the year on Tuesday 14 February, and continue on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 6pm-7.30pm at Anvil House, on Wakefield St. The Wellington gay helpline is available from Sunday-Wednesday, 7.30PM to 9.30PM on 04 473 7878.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 7th January 2012 - 7:34pm