File photo Wellington youth group Schools’ Out estimates it’s had 160 participants in its programme in the 2011/2012 year, but has been in contact with more 500 young people through its class visits and assembly talks. In its annual update, it says in addition to its two part-time paid staff who work 15 hours a week, there are nine facilitator volunteers who help manager School’s Out. It says the employment of two part time staff has improved the consistency and responsiveness of the programme, while keeping the positive elements of the team decision-making structure of volunteers. School’s Out had regular meetings during the school term in in Wellington Central and Kapiti for the entire year, and has added weekly meetings in the Hutt Valley since April. “A lot of the achievements we’ve made aren’t about numbers though, they’re about making a noticeable difference to people’s lives,” the team says. “We’ve supported many young people on an individual level, whether through providing them with advice or someone to talk to, creating forums for discussion for queer and trans issues in their lives, and advocating for them where appropriate.” Regular discussions cover topics such as coming out, family, safe sex, drugs and alcohol, drag workshop, depression, self-harm and suicude, gender identity, sexuality spectrum, consent and boundaries, religion and relationships. The group also went on a promotion drive in April, which included including a mail out to school principals and counsellors in April and printing posters to distribute in schools. “We networked with other queer youth services across the country to share issues and give feedback and work together on common tasks and issues,” School’s Out says. “In particular we were involved in the Cross Country videolink conversations that were held nationally, and participated in discussions about QSA Network Aotearoa, and we are working with Rainbow Youth to further the education programme. A social group for those aged 18 to 25 was launched in October and meets fortnightly. Looking ahead, School’s Out says it has clearer strategies to counter homophobic bullying in the region and on how to best work with schools to further this goal. “In the coming year we plan to introduce more education programmes in schools, continue to build our youth groups, strengthen our presence in the regions, get more facilitators involved, re-launch our Kapiti group, link into national campaigns such as Pink Shirt Day, maintain links to youth agencies and queer networks regionally and nationally, plan a regional hui for queer youth, and generally have a lot of fun.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 8th September 2012 - 1:13pm