Rainbow Youth

Rainbow Youth (stylised RainbowYOUTH, formerly Auckland Lesbian and Gay Youth) is a registered charitable organisation[1] that provides education, information, support and advocacy for LGBTIQ youth in New Zealand.[2] It was formed in 1989.

History

Rainbow Youth was originally formed under the name Auckland Lesbian and Gay Youth in 1989 and became an incorporated society in 1995, also being renamed Rainbow Youth at the same time.[3] Between the late 1990s and 2005, RainbowYOUTH began their education program in Auckland high schools, as well as several of their peer-support groups.[3][4]

Mission

Rainbow Youth's mission is “to provide unbiased information and education regarding sexuality, gender and identity to everyone in the community, in order to foster understanding and acceptance of diversity”[5] and "to provide support, information and advocacy services to queer and questioning youth, their friends, and whānau".[5]

Governance

Rainbow Youth is run by youth and for youth,[6] with its executive board being made up entirely of people under the age of 27.[7]

Services

Rainbow Youth runs up to seven peer-support groups in Auckland, Tauranga and Whangarei.[8] Rainbow Youth's education programme is delivered throughout the year to participating high schools throughout the Auckland region.[9] The workshops have been reported to be highly successful, with a study showing that between 91% and 94% of students would recommend the workshops to other young people.[9] Rainbow Youth is also behind a rural outreach project called the I'm Local Project, which aims to provide free sexual and gender identity affirming resources and information to rural schools, medical centres and community organisations.[10] Rainbow Youth provides in-person support peer support in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Taranaki.[11]

References
  1. Charities Register Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Charities Register
  2. Family Services Directory Archived 2015-01-26 at the Wayback Machine, Family Services Directory
  3. 25 Years and 25 More - The History of Rainbow Youth, Gay Express | Your Gay Voice, Gay Express Magazine
  4. Educating for diversity: An informative evaluation of the rainbow youth sexuality and gender diversity workshops, The University of Auckland
  5. Constitution, Vision, Mission, Values and Objective Archived 2015-11-19 at the Wayback Machine, RainbowYOUTH Official Website
  6. The challenges New Zealand's gay/bi teenagers face, Gay NZ.com
  7. Call goes out for RY board members, GayNZ.com
  8. Queer/Trans Grants 2014, Ara Taiohi
  9. Burford, J., Lucassen, M.F.G., Penniket, P. & Hamilton, T. (2013). Educating for diversity: An informative evaluation of the Rainbow Youth sexuality and gender diversity workshops., p.7-9. Rainbow Youth Incorporated, Auckland. ISBN 9780473232160.
  10. 'WhangaReinbow' offers support, Whangarei Leader
  11. "Rainbow Youth support services".
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