An organisation working to increase the acceptance of gender and sexuality diversity is receiving increasing calls to widen its services.
Rainbow Youth executive director Frances Arns said nearly 20 per cent of respondents to the group’s annual survey called for more of the safe spaces the organisation provides, and in more locations.
Arns told Waitematā Local Board, which provides accommodation support for Rainbow Youth’s Edinburgh Street premises, that demand for services was increasing.
“Three-quarters of respondents to our survey said they felt connected to other rainbow people because of attending Rainbow Youth’s groups, events or drop-in centres," Arns said.
“We experience higher engagement in areas where we have a physical presence and that’s a great thing, but our people are asking for more.”
The survey showed 98 per cent of those who had interacted with Rainbow Youth found the support useful, and 95 per cent said they would recommend the group to others.
Board member Adriana Avendano Christie said she had seen the potentially tragic consequences of young people dealing with the pressure of their sexuality, and the acceptance, or lack of it, from others.
“Rainbow Youth is a fantastic organisation where people can be safe and take heart from the collective support of others.”
Arns said she was concerned Rainbow Youth was heavily reliant on grants, and the group would be looking for ways to stand alone to become more sustainable in the future.
Community Development portfolio leader Denise Roche said Rainbow Youth’s strategy called for meeting people where they were.
“That underlines the value of the support the board provides, and which has helped with the city premises.
“Members of the Rainbow community have the right to meet in safe and supportive places where they live; that’s a right we all have.”
