There's been plenty of support this year for the annual Rainbow Youth benefit concert from sponsors, entertainers and other volunteers, but organisers say support from punters at the box office is sadly down on previous years at a time when it's needed more than ever. Fourteen different acts are set to perform at the third annual Rainbow Youth concert at the Maidment Theatre in Auckland this Saturday, including ABBA spoof group Abbalicious (featuring Jackie Clarke and ex-True Bliss member Keri Harper), Hello Sailor's Dave McArtney and Graham Brazier, Black Grace's Taane Mete, members of Ardijah, Lindah E and Charlotte Yates. The ebullient and acerbic Steven Gray and Jan-Maree will MC, and the evening will be opened by “Fair Go” host Kevin Milne. Rainbow Youth spokesperson Linda Farr, who has worked for over a decade in various sectors of the GLBT community including the area of nursing support for people living with HIV/AIDS, says it's important the community show support for Rainbow Youth in a social environment she says is hardening towards GLBT folk. “From what I've seen and observed as a straight woman, I think we're actually going back forty-odd years with the attitudes,” she says. “Civil unions have passed but that does nothing. The attitudes out there now are actually worse, with the right-wing Christian mentality we seem to be importing from the States, with Destiny Church and the Maxim Institute.” Rainbow Youth is in good health as an organisation, with two full-time employees and an inner-city office in operation. Farr says it's taken six years to get to this point, but keeping the level of funding to support the organisation is a round-the-year job. “We need to support the young ones coming through. HIV is set to explode again, especially if we get back to an environment where people aren't comfortable being open about their sexuality,” she says. “As a nurse, the young ones haven't seen the sick, the ones I nursed to 14 years ago, who I looked after when they were dying.” All the acts and behind-the-scenes crew at this Saturday's show have provided their time for free, and radio network Classic Hits donated a fortnight's worth of free advertising. Ticket sales have been steady, but down on previous year's. “It's going to be a really great night, there's some really great talent,” says Farr. “Last year's event sold out two days beforehand.” Bookings for the Rainbow Youth concert, which starts at 7:30 this Saturday, can be made through the Maidment Theatre. Tickets are $40 (transaction fee may also apply).