The Rainbow team who slept rough for a night as part of the Lifewise Big Sleep Out have raised a total of $23,805 towards tackling the issue of homelessness. Photo thanks to Duncan Matthews The team of ten included Green MP Jan Logie, Musician Mainard Larkin and Actor Todd Emerson. Executive Director of RainbowYOUTH Duncan Matthews who was on the team, raised $2075 towards the total amount and says every dollar of that money will be directly applied to RainbowYOUTH and Lifewise’s “no band aids” approach to LGBTI Youth homelessness in Auckland. This is the first targeted intervention of LGBTI homeless people in New Zealand. RainbowYOUTH say 26% of LGBT youth who come out to family become disowned and homeless. Those whose families reject them not only have higher levels of depression, substance abuse, victimisation and suicide than those living with family, but are also 20% more likely to commit suicide.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 15th July 2016 - 1:04pm