LGBT student group UniQ Victoria is to publish a "queer guide to Wellington" later this month, which will contain a message of support from Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast. The guide will detail what UniQ does as well as providing contacts for Wellington venues and support services. "I think it's just another small way we can help build better networks within the community," says UniQ President Paul Brown. "UniQ has achieved a lot over the past year and we couldn't've done it without the immense support we've received, and so we want to keep building on that." A successful year of events for UniQ has left them with a small amount of extra cash, which has been donated to the AIDS Foundation and glbt youth support group Out There. "The NZAF was our first choice as they've supported us immensely throughout the year and they provide excellent services and support to the GLBTI community, especially in a time of rising HIV levels," Brown says. "We were especially happy to donate to Out There as through their SS4Q programme they're providing excellent support to secondary school students," he continues. "By educating and changing attitudes, they're helping the community as a whole at grass-roots level." UniQ's activities over the last year have included hosting a national conference of UniQ groups from around the country, the GlamSlam pride week which featured the Ms Downunder pageant, the Glammies community awards ceremony, and two dance parties. "We've had an incredibly successful year and so it's great that we can put something back into the community," Brown says.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 1st February 2006 - 12:00pm