Featherston Community Centre and Fab Feathy joined forces to present an LGBTQIA+ commjunity awareness kōrero in September. This evening was open to all members of our community, to hear from two incredible guest speakers. The intention was to raise awareness of our rainbow communities, increase confidence around the use of inclusive language and provide a greater understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole.
Throughout the evening, there was conversations and shared stories from the speakers and from the audience, as well as kai and refreshments.
We had a full house, with more than 30 people attending on the night! The feedback was very positive and we look forward to continuing to supporting our rainbow community to continue with their events going forward.
Georgia Andrews (she/her) is an independent intersex human rights activist living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Central Otago, she is passionate about advocating for enhanced social and health outcomes for rural LGBTQIA+ communities. As the first ‘out’ intersex youth activist in Aotearoa, Georgia has held national intersex advisory positions for groups including the Ministry of Education and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand. Today, outside of her paid work Georgia is the Stakeholder Manager for YOUth&I (an intersex youth anthology that shares the stories and experiences of young intersex people), facilitates global virtual intersex peer support networks, and is a United Nations LGBTIQ+ Women’s Rights Defender.
Kevin Haunui (he/him) (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Āti Hau, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Ūenuku, Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe). Kevin is a Trustee and Co-Chair of Tīwhanawhana Trust, a Wellington-based takatāpui (Māori LGBTQIA+) charitable trust. Tīwhanawhana advocates for the rights of takatāpui and indigenous Māori cultural views that are inclusive of people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics. Tīwhanawhana organises space for takatāpui in Wellington to meet socially each week and pathways for takatāpui to experience regional, national and international LGBTQIA+ events. Kevin is Chair of Hau Ariki Marae Committee in Martinborough. He has been a member of this community for twenty years and is supportive of strength-based Māori community development for iwi/hapū and mātāwaka in South Wairarapa.
Proudly brought to you by the Featherston Community Centre and Fab Feathy – Ātaahua Pae Tū Mōkai, supported by the Tindall Foundation. With thanks to Big Sky Wines and Abandoned Brewery for providing refreshments.
Resources:
All About Intersex
Growing Up Takatāpui
Queer & Trans 101
Takatāpui – Part of the Whānau
UN Free & Equal Fact Sheet
Rainbow Terminology