Mon 10 Oct 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
LGBTI healthcare advocate Zoe Brownlie has been elected to the Auckland District Health Board. "It feels great to be elected, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping to create an inclusive healthcare system which works for everyone," says Brownlie. "I'm looking forward to improving care and support for all of Auckland, but especially for young people, Māori and Pasifika, and our rainbow community. "I'll also be advocating for increased preventative education in all areas, and improved mental health services straight away. I'm really excited and can't wait to get going!" Brownlie facilitates workshops around gender, sexuality, and sexual health and wellbeing through her work at Auckland Sexual Health Service as a Community Health Worker. In her LGBTI advocacy, Brownlie has also set up rainbow groups within schools to promote safe spaces for both students and staff. A firm believer that education is often the answer to issues in our society, Brownlie says “our healthcare system also needs to take responsibility and be absolutely unaccepting of any discriminatory behaviour from anyone, with serious consequences when it does happen.” Takatāpui Senior Clinical Nurse Leader for the ADHB and LGBTI advocate Sonya Temata was also in the running for a position on the Board however did not secure a seat.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 10th October 2016 - 12:02pm