Rainbow Youth has been awarded $5,000 of Government funding for the Affirming Diversity Workshops it delivers in Auckland schools. MP for Auckland Central Nikki Kaye says the funding has come from the Ministry of Youth Development's Services for Young People Fund. "I have met with representatives from Rainbow Youth and I know the huge dedication and hard work they put into helping young people," Kaye says. "The work that Rainbow Youth undertakes in schools aims to create a safer environment for young people. The workshops help people gain a greater understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity." Kaye says the Services for Young People Fund is designed to help young people reach their potential, stay on track for success and have a say in their local communities. Rainbow Youth is expressing thanks to the Ministry for acknowledging the great work it's doing alongside Auckland youth and supporting the Affirming Diversity Workshops. "The goal of the workshops is to create a safer environment in schools through combating bullying, homophobia and creating diversity groups on campus," says Rainbow Youth Education Coordinator Priscilla Penniket. She says statistics from the Youth 2007 Survey indicated that same sex attracted young people are four times as likely to be physically hit at school and four times as likely to experience symptoms of depression. Penniket says these figures highlight how important it is to educate young people about sexual and gender diversity and to address homophobia and transphobia through education.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 8th June 2010 - 2:15pm