Emad Khan 25-year-old Emad is Rainbow Youth's new Youth Co-Ordinator. He was making good money as a lawyer, but decided he wanted to help the community in another way. So you're the new youth coordinator for Rainbow Youth - what does the job entail? I am in charge of the day to day running of the office and our groups for young people. I am also responsible for fundraising for the organization. I get to interact with young people and I absolutely love it! How's Rainbow Youth going at the moment? Anything new we should know about? Most of our groups are wrapping up for the year at the moment. Things are well and it has been a good year. We are preparing for the Grey Lynn festival at the moment and are very excited about you-know-what in February! Where did you grow up? I am not an Aucklander by birth. I was born in Pakistan and I went to high school there. What were you doing for a job before Rainbow Youth? I did my Bachelors in Law from University of London and practiced law for 3 years. I got to see a whole range of human emotions. Every client who walked through the doors of my office had a story to tell, be it one involving the custody of a young person torn by the separation of their parents, or the machination of the tenant devoid of the intention of ever vacating his rented premises, or the businessmen unable or unwilling to repay a bank loan. Aside from medicine, I believe that law and social work are perhaps the only professions where one can make a significant impact by directly helping people. It was good money but it became a drudgery and unsatisfying and I was not enjoying it any more. So I decided to do another degree and help the community in a different way. Now I am doing another Bachelors in Social Work. What is the most pressing issue currently facing our GLBT youth? There are quite a number of issues but the main ones is homophobia in schools and homes. Another would be substance abuse. What do you think of the word 'queer'? It is an umbrella term, which encapsulates a bunch of people in our community. It is a good word for many people who do not identify as being hetrosexual and I personally think it sounds better than non-hetrosexual! I think reclaiming it was a smart move and we at Rainbow Youth frequently use it. What's your relationship status? I have been in a relationship for a little more than 3 and a half years. Favourite food and drink? I love Mexican food. Favourite drink would be water. Worst habit? I am a perfectionist to the point of annoying people! Favourite TV programmes? I chucked the TV out a few months back when I realized I was spending more time with it than my partner! The internet is gradually doing the same so I have to watch out for that, but when I did have a TV I watched ER, Nip/Tuck, Greys Anatomy and many more that I am embarrassed to admit! Favourite movies? I am a complete movie buff and like all the genres! I don't know where to start but a few would be Dirty Dancing, Moulin Rogue, Back to the Future (all parts), Terminator (all parts, Godfather 1, Birdcage and a 2 dozen more! What do you do to relax and unwind? I read a lot and listen to music. I am an internet buff and catching up with my friends all over the world is my idea of unwinding. Who in the world (including NZ) would you most like to have a coffee and a chat with? I don't like warm beverages but I would love to meet the smart person who invented post-its! If you could have one wish granted what would it be? I am greedy so one wish wouldn't be enough! I would use it to get a couple of hundred wishes. GayNZ.com - 8th November 2006