Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Auckland Libraries push past expectations...
Keen to see the library buildings used for more than just reading and storage? Want to take back your local library with an event that makes you THINK?
Join
Auckland Libraries as they question, challenge and celebrate sex and sexuality
on the page, stage and screen with a special series of thought-provoking events
for over-18s.
Dark night
celebrates diversity across the borders of gender, sexual identity, and sexual
orientation. I for one would love a strong feminist group in the audience,
especially for the Thursday night panel, and the Dark Night cabaret, where
audience input have the capacity to mold the tone of the evening.
The events
are as follows, further info can be found at the Auckland Libraries website.
I will see you there! - Scube.
I will see you there! - Scube.
Shame, a film.
Academy
Cinema (next to Auckland city Library)
8pm
Friday 21st June
Auckland Library's events
series "Dark night" launches with a special screening of Shame, a
portrait of sex addiction starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan.
Introduced beforehand by a panel discussion with psychologist Dr. Pani Farvid. Price $10 or $16 - including a drink. Book online at www.academycinemas.co.nz
Shelley Munro
Wednesday
26 June, 6pm
Leys Institute, Ponsonby
Join erotic romance author Shelley Munro in conversation.
Leys Institute, Ponsonby
Join erotic romance author Shelley Munro in conversation.
Central City Library, Whare
Wananga, Level 2
1800hrs
Thursday 27th June.
From Fifty shades of grey to erotic fan fiction and the new burlesque, how has erotica changed at the dawn of the 21st century? A panel discussion with Dylan Horrocks, Sam Orchard, Karen Tay, and Tosca Waerea
Dark Night Cabaret
Grey
Lynn Library
8pm
Friday 28th June.
A night of sultry, saucy cabaret that includes burlesque performers and Fringe Festival stars, alongside frank explorations of sex and sexuality in fact and fiction.
Scuba Nurse will be Hosting the Q&A section of the night with the answers to all those sticky questions... If you would like to submit a question - go to Twitter and use the hash tag #DarkNight
Call Grey Lynn Library to book on (09) 374 1314.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Event: Sevens Safer Space
Need a space to chill out
during the Sevens weekend in Central Wellington? Having problems with
noise, drama or harassment? Want a friendly, safer space to hang during
your night out on the town?
Come along to Glover Park (on Ghuznee and Garret St), where we will be holding a chill out zone for those seeking some peace and quiet during the busiest weekend in Wellington. There will be music, games, refreshments, zine-making and all around good times!
Please note: This is designed to be a queer/trans*/women/child friendly, accessible space. Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression will not be tolerated. We ask that all those using the zone respect the guidelines, and make it welcoming for those in need.
Today (Saturday) 15:00 until 22:00, Glover Park, Wellington. The space will be in a wheelchair accessible section of the park.
Come along to Glover Park (on Ghuznee and Garret St), where we will be holding a chill out zone for those seeking some peace and quiet during the busiest weekend in Wellington. There will be music, games, refreshments, zine-making and all around good times!
Please note: This is designed to be a queer/trans*/women/child friendly, accessible space. Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression will not be tolerated. We ask that all those using the zone respect the guidelines, and make it welcoming for those in need.
Today (Saturday) 15:00 until 22:00, Glover Park, Wellington. The space will be in a wheelchair accessible section of the park.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Feminist Event: Women, Class & Revolution!
A facilitated discussion on how the struggle for socialism intersects with the struggle for women's liberation, led by Workers Party member Kassie Hartendorp. Bring your thoughts and ideas, or feel free to sit and absorb. All welcome!
Tuesday 9th October, 18:00, 19 Tory Street, Wellington. Facebook event here.
Accessibility information: the venue is street level but there is a small lip at the door.
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Time to Queer the Night again!
Last year I was involved in organising Queer the Night, a march in response to transphobic and homophobic violence on our streets. It was an amazing night, with lots of energy and a great sense of community, from which evolved The Queer Avengers.
It would be nice to never need to do it again, but we do. This year we're marching in Wellington on May 11th, and focussing on transphobic and homophobic bullying in schools. Full details here.
I'll be marching, in solidarity with QUILTBAG youth, and in memory of those who have lost their lives this year and in the years before. And there are two particular things I'll be marching for:
The first is the need to specifically address bullying aimed at children and young people because of their actual or percieved sexual orientation or gender identity. Whilst in previous years Pink Shirt Day has specifically related to homophobic bullying, in New Zealand at least is has now evolved into a more general anti-bullying campaign.
Stopping bullying is of course a cause to get behind, but at the same time transphobic and homophobic bullying does need a specific response. Overseas research puts suicidal thoughts and attempts for LGB High School Students at between 3.5 and 7.1 times higher than heterosexual students and found that 30 percent of LGB youth versus 13 percent of heterosexual youth (mean age of about 18) had attempted suicide at some point. New Zealand statistics appear to follow a similar pattern. Accurate statistics for gender varient youth are harder to come by, but there is every indication that they are significantly higher.
These aren't just numbers. These are kids we know.
QUILTBAG youth are unusual as a minority group, in that usually no other member of their immediate family is a member of that same minority group. Whilst some parents and family members are supportive, even they are often not helped to support their children. Others can be dismissive or outright hostile, meaning that neither home nor school is a safe place. With queer content frequently ignored in lessons, children feel that there is simply no place for them in the world.
Because it is often technically possible for these young people to remain secret about their identity, many are pressured to do so, irrespective of the - sometimes devastating - impact on them, and blamed for being out when they are targeted. Innappropriate toilet facilities and uniform codes make many schools completely inaccessible for gender variant youth.
All bullying needs tackling, but there are specific issues that affect QUILTBAG young people. We can't just shove them under the carpet.
The second is summed up in our slogan 'It Doesn't Get Better Until We Make it Better'. The It Gets Project was an international series of videos in reponse to what was painted in the media as a cluster of suicides amongst queer teens (but was actually the statistical norm) and featured mostly queer adults talking about how much better their lives had become, and encouraging teens to hang on, because it would get better for them too.
The videos were beautiful and heartbreaking. But now it's time for something more.
I'd like every young person considering suicide to reconsider. I believe - hell, I know from personal experience - that things can get much better. But I'd like it even more if we combatted the structural prejudice that allowed them to get to that point. Bullying shouldn't be a part of life, nor should prejudice, nor should suicidality.
The pressure shouldn't be on one individual to put up with what feels unbearable. It should be for all of us to fight alongside them.
Nor should we ignore the fact that for some people it never will get better. That it's already too late. Or others, for whom things have got better, but they still suffer the lasting effects, both emotional/psychological and educational.
'It doesn't get better until we make it better' is more than a message of hope. It's a call to arms.
The devastation transphobic and homophobic bullying brings is too critical to ignore; the lives that can be changed by combatting it are too precious not to fight for. Bring your pink shirts and your glo-sticks and come Queer the Night.
It would be nice to never need to do it again, but we do. This year we're marching in Wellington on May 11th, and focussing on transphobic and homophobic bullying in schools. Full details here.
I'll be marching, in solidarity with QUILTBAG youth, and in memory of those who have lost their lives this year and in the years before. And there are two particular things I'll be marching for:
The first is the need to specifically address bullying aimed at children and young people because of their actual or percieved sexual orientation or gender identity. Whilst in previous years Pink Shirt Day has specifically related to homophobic bullying, in New Zealand at least is has now evolved into a more general anti-bullying campaign.
Stopping bullying is of course a cause to get behind, but at the same time transphobic and homophobic bullying does need a specific response. Overseas research puts suicidal thoughts and attempts for LGB High School Students at between 3.5 and 7.1 times higher than heterosexual students and found that 30 percent of LGB youth versus 13 percent of heterosexual youth (mean age of about 18) had attempted suicide at some point. New Zealand statistics appear to follow a similar pattern. Accurate statistics for gender varient youth are harder to come by, but there is every indication that they are significantly higher.
These aren't just numbers. These are kids we know.
QUILTBAG youth are unusual as a minority group, in that usually no other member of their immediate family is a member of that same minority group. Whilst some parents and family members are supportive, even they are often not helped to support their children. Others can be dismissive or outright hostile, meaning that neither home nor school is a safe place. With queer content frequently ignored in lessons, children feel that there is simply no place for them in the world.
Because it is often technically possible for these young people to remain secret about their identity, many are pressured to do so, irrespective of the - sometimes devastating - impact on them, and blamed for being out when they are targeted. Innappropriate toilet facilities and uniform codes make many schools completely inaccessible for gender variant youth.
All bullying needs tackling, but there are specific issues that affect QUILTBAG young people. We can't just shove them under the carpet.
The second is summed up in our slogan 'It Doesn't Get Better Until We Make it Better'. The It Gets Project was an international series of videos in reponse to what was painted in the media as a cluster of suicides amongst queer teens (but was actually the statistical norm) and featured mostly queer adults talking about how much better their lives had become, and encouraging teens to hang on, because it would get better for them too.
The videos were beautiful and heartbreaking. But now it's time for something more.
I'd like every young person considering suicide to reconsider. I believe - hell, I know from personal experience - that things can get much better. But I'd like it even more if we combatted the structural prejudice that allowed them to get to that point. Bullying shouldn't be a part of life, nor should prejudice, nor should suicidality.
The pressure shouldn't be on one individual to put up with what feels unbearable. It should be for all of us to fight alongside them.
Nor should we ignore the fact that for some people it never will get better. That it's already too late. Or others, for whom things have got better, but they still suffer the lasting effects, both emotional/psychological and educational.
'It doesn't get better until we make it better' is more than a message of hope. It's a call to arms.
Monday, 28 November 2011
Transgender Day of Rememberence - events
Tomorrow events are being held around the country to mark the Transgender Day of Rememberence.
In Wellington: Queer Avengers have organised a public gathering on Tuesday 29 November at 6pm in Civic Square. We all want an end to violence against people because their gender identity or expression. We welcome anyone to this gathering who shares this aim. Theevent will include lighting sparklers or candles and reflecting on the people who have been subjected to transphobic violence in the last year, including those people who have died as a result.
In Auckland: GenderBridge has a community event at St Matthew-in-the-City at 7pm on Tuesday 29 November. The church is on the corner of Wellesley and Hobson Streets. BYO a plate of food to share.
In Christchurch: the recently reopened Te Whare Puakitanga / Transition House will be holding a community meeting from 7-9pm on 29 November. Nau mai, haere mai koutou – everyone is welcome. Contact Cherise Witehira on (03) 372-9298 or agenderchch@clear.net.nz for the address.
In Hamilton: Agender Waikato, in conjunction with Hamilton Pride, held a Transgender Day of Remembrance at the Riff Raff statue Hamilton at 7pm, 20th November.
[The text is mostly stolen from the Queer Avengers facebook event]
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
In Wellington next Tuesday? Come see Bob Kerr
One of the things that has given me great joy as an adult is discovering that some of my favourite children's authors were lefties. Bob Kerr is a New Zealand example, I read his awesome graphic novels as a child, and as an adult I am awed by his illustrations of labour struggles and conscientious objectors.
Next Tuesday he's giving a talk "Putting Visuals to History" illustrated with examples from his book “After the War” and from exhibitions on Archibald Baxter, Rua Kenana and others.
When: Tuesday 12 July, 6pm
Where: Sandwiches, corner of Kent and Marjoriebanks st*
There will be a cash-bar and refreshments will be provided.
After the War is one of my favourite books to read to kids. It doesn't have many words (and if you've said you're going to read three books that's a definate plus), but it is beautiful and meaningful in a very few pages. If you have never read it then check it out when you're next in the library(or buy it for a small child you know).
If you haven't seen any of his art since you read "Terry and the Gunrunners" you can check it out on his blog.
This is part of the Labour History Project's AGM (more info about them here)
* The entrance on Marjoriebanks St is more accessible - no stairs - I don't know how wide the door is.
Next Tuesday he's giving a talk "Putting Visuals to History" illustrated with examples from his book “After the War” and from exhibitions on Archibald Baxter, Rua Kenana and others.
When: Tuesday 12 July, 6pm
Where: Sandwiches, corner of Kent and Marjoriebanks st*
There will be a cash-bar and refreshments will be provided.
After the War is one of my favourite books to read to kids. It doesn't have many words (and if you've said you're going to read three books that's a definate plus), but it is beautiful and meaningful in a very few pages. If you have never read it then check it out when you're next in the library(or buy it for a small child you know).
If you haven't seen any of his art since you read "Terry and the Gunrunners" you can check it out on his blog.
This is part of the Labour History Project's AGM (more info about them here)
* The entrance on Marjoriebanks St is more accessible - no stairs - I don't know how wide the door is.
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Queer the Night (Wellington)
On Thursday 9th June a march will be held through Wellington city to stop homophobia and transphobia on our streets.
Queer the Night was inspired by the Reclaim the Night philosophy and initiated in response to a couple of recent incidents where members of the queer community were assaulted in central Wellington. To many, these were a shocking reminder that although we've come far, there are still dangers to those who are or are perceived as being outside heterosexual norms. To others, dealing with homophobia or transphobia on the streets in an everyday experience. Either way, it is unacceptable that any of us are made to fear physical or verbal abuse in our city.
At the same time, we want to celebrate the gains made in this area, and offer our solidarity to those fighting homophobia and transphobia in places it may be even more potent; in their schools, their homes, their workplaces and throughout the world.
We will be marching on Thursday 9th June, meeting at 7pm at Waitangi Park (formerly Chaffers), traveling to Cuba St where there will be guest speakers and an open mic. Please bring glow sticks, torches, etc to light up our city. All supporters welcome.
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