Auckland City Council's decision to fund scoping research into a proposed LGBT Community Centre for the city has been welcomed by influential gay organisations - Outline NZ and the NZ AIDS Foundation - and the former manager of Auckland's Pride Centre. If the scoping research establishes a clear need for such a centre, servicing New Zealand's largest urban LGBT population, funding is believed likely to be accessible from established community grants organisations. OUTline NZ - formerly Auckland Gay and Lesbian Welfare - has been involved in promoting the concept of a Community Centre, and says it is pleased the council is funding a scoping project. "There is a need for a centre and we see ourselves as an integral part of it," says its General Manager Neil Denney. Denney was one of those involved in a recent formal presentation to the Council's Partnerships Committee highlighting the need for a Community Centre and seeking Council support. Denney believes ongoing funding for such a centre is likely to come from sources other than Council and support from the Council would increase the possibility of such funding being made available. The NZAF has hailed the Counci's decision to fund the research. Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier says the endorsement of the project flags is "marvellous" and "a coming of age for our communities and the concept that we should have a base for LGBT community facilities." She says the NZAF will always be supportive of such a concrete community presence and foresees possible Foundation involvement including HIV testing, counseling and community meetings on such premises. Former Auckland Pride Centre Manager Edward Bennett says he's very pleased to provide input into the new project, noting that recent research has proved several times that Aucklanders need a safe and inclusive centre for its diverse LGBT community. "The answers always turn out the same - that there's a definite need for it," he says. "The Pride Centre was dealing with 30 people coming in off the street every day - 7,500 people each year. Ten groups were using the place, and we had several successful events." Bennett recommends the proposed Community Centre be governed by several local LGBT groups. "On the board, there should be somebody from Lesbian
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 25th November 2007 - 10:57am