Car crushed in Christchurch (logangorilla on flickr) OUTLine is leading a coordinated help effort for anyone in the rainbow community who has been impacted by the destruction and devastation in Christchurch. With the death and injury toll rising and many people confronting shattered lives or worried about loved ones, OUTLine General Manager Vaughan Meneses says anyone who needs a hand is welcome to call the toll free service. "OUTLine is already set up to take calls from people anywhere in the country from any New Zealand phone. Our volunteers and staffed are trained to help people find solutions to challenges they face," says Meneses. "Right now what many people from all over the country need is emotional support. We can provide a central place that anyone from our community can call to seek support or offer assistance, or just have a chat. We are passionate about ensuring that our people have everything they need to thrive and flourish and with so many people from our community affected by the crisis in Canterbury we want to extend our helping hand as far as it will go." Meneses says people can make donations to a nominated OUTLine account and this money will go directly towards the efforts for GLBT people in Christchurch, many of whom will need to rebuild their lives. It will be distributed by established glbt community groups in Christchurch. "We are asking people from our community to do whatever they can to help out, we know that many will have friends, relatives and colleagues affected by the quake and we are here to help support them in any way that we can." He says as traumatic as this event is, there is no need for people to be alone or feel isolated. "The best thing that we can all do is reach out and make sure that the people in our lives and communities who they love get the help they need. We know that it is not only those in Canterbury who need help, this is a disaster with a national impact and everyone will be affected in their own way. The 0800 OUTLINE number can be used by anyone from our community, even if they just need to talk and be heard about how this crisis affects them." Anyone who needs help, can help or simply needs to talk can call 0800 OUTLINE (688 5463). Donations to OUTLine NZ Inc 010 0249 0178488 00 Reference: earthquake. Auckland bar Club Se7en on K' Rd is turning its karaoke night into a Christchurch fundraiser, while Lolabar on Ponsonby Rd will also collect donations from today. The Gay Auckland Business Association has been in touch with its Christchurch counterparts with an offer to help in any way that's needed. In Hokitika, kind-hearted tranny granny Jacquie Grant is opening her motel to any members of the glbt community who need a free break from Christchurch. She herself had a tense night waiting for news of family in the city: "My son in law and grandson were trapped and missing for many hours yesterday but were found in the demolished house," she says. "I am housing two HIV positive guys who have lost everything they own and their rental house is toast they are now en route to Hokitika, and my factory has been badly damaged in Bromley. All in all a shit of a day."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 23rd February 2011 - 3:24pm