As New Zealand's LGBT telephone counselling service OUTLine struggles to stay afloat amid a financial crisis, the Gay Auckland Business Association is donating $1,000 to help keep the organisation going. GABA President Gavin Hyde says the donation comes from the GABA Charitable Trust, and hopes other organisations, individuals and businesses also consider what they can do to assist OUTLine. "Whether it is to give a little or give a lot, every contribution will be greatly appreciated by OUTLine," Hyde tells GayNZ.com. "Over many years OUTLine has been there to provide counselling and support for generations of gay, lesbian and transgender men and women," he adds. "OUTLine is now in desperate need of our support and GABA would encourage community members to dig deep to keep this vital organisation resourced to do its job." OUTLine, which fields 4,500 calls a year from distressed and troubled LGBT people, announced last week that it can no longer afford to keep its full time staff member on and is prioritising cuts to its services as it struggles on with "less than $10,000" in the bank.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 22nd September 2009 - 4:05pm