Thu 5 Feb 2015 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
EquAsian is hoping the new website it's launching tonight will help it reach out to new migrants. The group was formed last year following an Auckland Pride Festival gathering which exposed a clear need to give lgbtiq Asian people in New Zealand a voice, support, and a fun social space. One of the group’s founding members Pema Wu says the most significant challenge was starting the group with a small pool of people, with no funding, and through Facebook. “However, as the year progressed we began to build a momentum, and built the group up from a handful of people to the point where new members come every month. Most new members are friends of friends. Now the monthly pot luck dinner is an event that is humming with people and delicious food to go around.” Run by volunteers, the group meets at Rainbow Youth, and is grateful to have a free space at a convenient location which it would never be able to afford. “However, meeting in a youth-specific space has probably been a barrier to attracting older people,” Wu says. Another challenge that remains is reaching out to the wider Asian community, particularly migrants. “We are hoping the website will help us to reach this demographic. We will also be spending more of our budget on advertising, such as posters.” The website, advertising and social events like tonight’s launch have been made possible thanks to a small grant from Nikki Kaye’s Ministry of Youth Development lgbti youth fund, which has been administered through Ara Taiohi. “The website will serve as a multi functioning interface where EquAsian can post up and coming social events, provide a blog space, and link to Internet-based information and resources relevant to lgbtiq Asians. “If people would like to get in contact with us they can also email us through the website. The blog space aims to showcase members’ creative work, such as poetry and cartoons, that connects in some way with Asian lgbtiq identity. Some of EquAsian's original members Wu says the launch is a very exciting time for EquAsian, “as it is a chance for people to bring people together to see what we have been doing and to support the Asian Rainbow Community. It is also a celebration of how far we have come in our journey so far – a kind of milestone since the last Pride Festival.” Wu says there is a general recognition among community organisations, Pride included, that the LGBTIQ population is diverse, and that this diversity should be better reflected in events and initiatives. “While there is still a long way to go, the inclusion of EquAsian events in the festival is a small step in the right direction.” EquAsian events at Auckland Pride Festival: EquAsian’s website launch EquAsian is happy to announce the launch of its website this Thursday the 5th of February. This event will be a celebration of how far we have come in the short space of a year, as well as a chance to meet our members, learn what the organisation is all about, and be part of our future. Thursday 5 February, 6.30PM Rainbow Youth Office Picnic at Mission Bay and drinks at Eagle Bar Part One: Enjoy a summer picnic at Mission Bay with Auckland's Asian rainbow community this Valentine's Day. The picnic is hosted by Equasian, a social group for all people who identify as Asian and LGBTIQ in Auckland. We will meet at 2pm by the fountain at Mission Bay Reserve, Tamaki Drive. Bring along some food! Part Two: After an afternoon in the sun and sand, we will be having drinks at Eagle Bar at 7pm on the same day. Come along to mix and mingle with your fellow LGBTIQ Asians! Asian LGBTIQ Identity Discussion Event People of Asian descent make up a significant proportion of Auckland's population; however, we are often invisible in the rainbow community. What is it like to be Asian and LGBTIQ? What challenges do we face, and how do we meet these challenges? Come along and join us in an evening of dialogue to share your thoughts on important questions around identity. The event is hosted by EquAsian, a social-support group for LGBTIQ Asians in Auckland. All ages are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Thursday 19 February, 6pm-9pm. AUSA Queerspace, University of Auckland, 36 Princes Street.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 5th February 2015 - 8:55am