QSA Network Aotearoa has been rebranded InsideOUT, to better reflect its wider focus, and because the name is shorter, simpler and more fun. “Our work has never been solely focused on queer straight alliances, so we wanted a name that didn’t place boundaries on the work people perceive us to do or the work we want to do in the future,” the group says. “We wanted a name that is more culturally inclusive, that doesn’t label people with Western concepts of sexuality or put anyone in a box.” The organisation also sought something that wasn’t an acronym, but was shorter and easier to say and explain – as well as being more youth friendly and fun. InsideOUT will translate to Kōaro in Māori. It says the name speaks to how sexual or gender identity is journey we begin inside ourselves. “Once we have begun to accept ourselves internally, we can then go out into our communities – here we have a classic pun about coming out – but to us the ‘out’ relates more to the idea of how a lot of our work is about supporting people to go out and make positive change in their schools and communities.” The group says it also likes the idea that something being inside out means it’s a bit different, it’s not the norm – “kind of like how queer means strange, but it was reclaimed and used as a positive word in the rainbow community. We want to embrace inside out in a similar way – we think it’s awesome to be different and everyone should be free to be who they are.” Founded in 2011, the group works to make New Zealand “a safer place for all young people of diverse genders and sexualities to live and be in”, by working with young people, whānau, schools, youth service providers and communities. At its core is being run for youth, by youth. Check the group’s website here and its Facebook page here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 13th January 2015 - 12:39pm