"30 Years and still going strong. Diversity wins against all odds, queerness at its best," says Tracy O'Neale of MaLGRA, the longest running LGBT Association in New Zealand. On Labour Weekend (19th - 21st of October 2007) the Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association (MaLGRA) will be celebrating their 30th anniversary with a week-long celebration at their venue Club Q. "On the Friday and Saturday nights there will be huge celebrations within Club Q to pay tribute to MaLGRA's 30th Birthday, also the screening of a documentary depicting how MaLGRA and formally MaGRA has lasted throughout the years," says O'Neale. MaLGRA was formed in 1977 as a volunteer organisation to support the needs of gay, and later all LGBT people in the Manawatu region. Today MaLGRA is home to Manawatu Lesbian Support Group, Massey UniQ Palmerston North, CoffeeQ (a mens' social group) a fully trained Closet Space youth group, a Club Q dance club, and events venue servicing its members and the wider community. The various groups that make up MaLGRA have been planning the anniversary celebrations from the start of 2007 to ensure that the event is a huge success and to give back to the community that has supported all its members throughout the years, says O'Neale. There are many local businesses sponsoring the celebration, including The Mill, Kingsgate Hotel, and Club Q. "We hope that this event will show the Manawatu Region and New Zealand that similar organizations can and do prosper with the proper support from their community and District." O'Neale says people from throughout New Zealand that have been involved with the MaLGRA over the years are coming to celebrate the continued success of the organisation. "They're looking forward to letting their hair down and partying with the newer members, and seeing how far the organization has come." The celebrations are also a chance to pay tribute to all of MaLGRA's founding members, life members, and past members who are no longer with them. "It is a chance to remember them, and all they have given the organisation throughout the years." For more information on MaLGRA, see their official website on the link below. Ref: MaLGRA (m)