The Auckland Pride Festival has appointed two new Board members, including a young person with a passion for LGBTI youth engagement. The two new members are James Bennett, who comes to the Board with experience as the Senior Manager of Business Services for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and Zakk d’Larté who has a background in design and youth advocacy. Co-chair Kirsten Sibbit says “I’m really excited with James and Zakk as new additions to the Board. “James has huge amounts of experience in major events, sponsorship, marketing, governance and corporate organisation through his work with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. He has demonstrated a real commitment to supporting the community now that he is back in Auckland." She says “Zakk brings a real creative influence to the Board and is really focused on youth engagement. He also dramatically lowers the average age which is essential for ensuring the diversity and relevance of the Festival and its leadership.” During an Auckland Pride Festival hui last year some members of the LGBTI community voiced their concern that the festival was not easily accessible to youth, an area d’Larté is passionate about improving, “Youth empowerment, engagement and identity in our LGBTQI community is very important to me,” he says. “I endeavor to provide opportunities that will inspire the younger members of our community to be active and evoke change. Being on the Board gives me a bigger platform to continue the work that I’ve been doing, and take it to new heights.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 3rd May 2016 - 12:01pm