An Auckland Council committee has endorsed a framework designed to make life even better for glbti people, and significant strides towards greater support and representation are already being made. The Community Development and Safety Committee this morning backed a series of moves which aim to make Auckland “the most liveable city for rainbow communities”. The suggestions are the result of hui and community consultation by a reference group set up in 2010, known as the ‘Rainbow Door’. Rainbow flags flew on the nearby Aotea Centre as the Committee met in the Town Hall. Councillor Cathy Casey was integral in pushing for the display. Along with endorsing the framework, the committee also expressed support for the Council embarking on the Rainbow Tick certification process. It’s a new quality improvement cycle designed to make an organisation a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for people of diverse gender identity and sexual orientation. The Council has also announced a Rainbow Door Fund, which offers one-off grants of up to $500 for projects which “aim to improve people’s wellbeing and safety and/or celebrate and make more visible the Rainbow Community’s artistic and cultural diversity”. You can apply until 1 March. Applications are available from OUTLine’s Trevor Easton at trevor@outline.org.nz or by calling 281 3409. Auckland Mayor Len Brown has also pledged to investigate how Auckland’s glbti community can be given greater visibility and better representation at Auckland Council. The announcements have come thick and fast during the second Auckland Pride Festival, an event which was only able to happen thanks to vital sponsorship from the Council's events body ATEED. While Len Brown was at the Big Gay Out and is expected at the Pride Parade, Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse has been a fixture at Pride events, while Cathy Casey has also shown her support. Today's endorsed framework asks for the Committee to: Secure commitment from council to improve representation and visibility of rainbow communities in council publicity and campaigns. Establish a small Rainbow Door fund for rainbow communities to access to take actions that support the framework. Work across rainbow/rainbow friendly community organisations to identify ways to work together. Through the Rainbow Door, establish a working group to explore options for rainbow physical space and provide recommendations back to the community. Create a social media campaign that focuses on “allies” supporting positive change.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 19th February 2014 - 12:08pm