Thu 28 Mar 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Kestin Stewart Auckland-based GLBT youth support and education group Rainbow Youth has hired two staff members, including a brand new Education Coordinator. After a number of years volunteering within the organisation and on its board, Kestin Stewart has won the role following what Executive Director Thomas Hamilton says was a vigorous selection process. Stewart will be responsible for delivering workshops in high schools, as well as conducting professional development training. “Over the last few years I have seen a marked improvement in visibility and understanding of our communities within the mainstream consciousness, however there is still much work to be done,” Stewart says. “I firmly believe that education is one of the key factors in combating discrimination and ignorance towards queer and trans people.” Stewart takes over the role from Priscilla Penniket. In the second new appointment, Toni Duder is taking on the role of Digital Content and Social Media Manager as Rainbow Youth focuses on its digital presence and availability online to youth. Toni Duder is a youth-orientated writer who wants to create a prominent digital voice for the organisation. “The internet is usually the first port of call for queer and trans questioning youth, so it’s very important to make sure that Rainbow Youth is there to answer that,” Duder says. “I’m really excited to be able to help out.” Executive Director Thomas Hamilton says it’s an exciting time for Rainbow Youth. “We are looking forward to expanding our youth community involvement, and social media along with education are two key components to that.” You can find Rainbow Youth online several different ways. Spearheading its digital presence is the Rainbow Youth website, Facebook and Twitter pages. Alongside that is its fundraising campaign ‘WTF NZ’, which is also a call for equality, and rounding off the suite is the recently revamped Curious site - which is a nationwide resource connecting people from all different regions to their local queer and trans support and education facilities.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 28th March 2013 - 1:52pm