A cupcake decorating competition will be held at Otago University next week as part of a fundraising campaign to help keep Dunedin's lgbt youth group afloat. Alphabet Soup, which supports lgbt and questioning 12-18 year olds in Dunedin, is run by community support workers and Otago University Students' Association Queer Support volunteer Interns. They organise free activities and snacks at the group's regular meetings. "The group is a great introduction to a very supportive queer community on campus and provides a safe space for young people to be themselves, ask questions and make friends," says OUSA Queer Support Coordinator, Hahna Briggs. However it needs urgent funding to keep going for the rest of the year. "Alphabet Soup has received funding from Ara Taiohi and The Rule Foundation, but this funding runs out in September. Briggs adds they will apply for a grant in the September Dunedin City Council funding round; however those grants don't get approved until December. On Thursday 20 August there will be a cup cake decorating competition during the OUSA Queerest Tea Party, an event held twice each year in the Main Common Room at the University Union. It's designed to promote visibility of the rainbow community on campus. There will be free hot drinks, cakes, and slices on offer for the crowds supporting those entering the cupcake competition. Next week's event will also be a chance to push a Givealittle campaign for Alphabet Soup - which you can donate to until 18 September here There will also be a poster campaign on campus next week. Student Mārama Pipepe will display 16 different colourful posters with the message #WordsHavePower. It's designed to challenge homophobia and transphobia, by offering less problematic language with which to communicate concepts of sexuality and gender. They will also have information on where people can find help if they are struggling with sex, sexuality or gender issues.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 13th August 2015 - 4:37pm