New Zealand youth worker Tabby Besley is readying to leave for London where she will be honoured by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Monday. Besley (centre) with InsideOUT volunteers on Pink Shirt Day The 23-year-old Wellingtonian has been selected for an inaugural Queen’s Young Leaders Award to recognise her work to ensure that queer and gender diverse young people feel supported at school. Besley is one of 60 people aged between 18 and 29 from around the Commonwealth who are being recognised as exceptional leaders in their community. She is the only New Zealander selected. In 2011 Besley founded InsideOUT (formerly Queer Straight Alliance Network Aotearoa) which uses peer mentoring and training to help lgbti youth. “I am so happy to be one of the first recipients of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award. To be recognised for my work and be presented with an Award by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace is such a huge honour,” Besley says. “I can’t wait to meet all the other award winners in London and get involved in all the exciting activities that are taking place throughout the week.” Before receiving their Award at Buckingham Palace the winners will meet the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, visit the headquarters of global social networking company, Twitter and meet with senior executives at the BBC World Service. They will also spend four days in the UK to take part in a residential development programme as part of the Award prize. The programme includes workshops at Cambridge University, meetings with UK businesses leaders, and visits to social action projects.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 17th June 2015 - 11:12am