Community Event Raises Money for Queer Youth

A community event to celebrate same sex marriage becoming legal in Aotearoa New Zealand raised $3056 for queer youth organisation, School’s Out on the weekend.

The Fabulunch held at Portofino on Sunday 18th August sold out with over 110 tickets for an afternoon of food and entertainment, with raffles and spot prizes from Wellington businesses and organisations. Local MPs, Grant Robertson and Jan Logie, got behind the fundraising by auctioning a dinner with the rainbow parliamentary caucus. The successful bidders were local bar owners, Scotty and Mal.

“The support was overwhelming,” says Kassie Hartendorp, a volunteer with School’s Out. “A few of us were tearing up at the generosity of local individuals and groups to contribute to a still much needed service.”

School’s Out runs after school groups for queer* and questioning youth, aged 13-18 and teaches sexuality and gender diversity workshops in high schools and local community groups. For more information or to make a donation please contact queer_schools_out@hotmail.com.

School’s Out would like to thank Jac Lynch, Virginia Parker Bowles, Jan Logie, Grant Robertson, Fran Wilde, Portofino, Museum Hotel, Frutti, Butlers Chocolate Cafe, Smash Palace jewellery, Favour Boutique, Pearl Hair Design and Day Spa, Hot Bikram Yoga Lower Hutt, Flowers Manuela, Lulu's Body Art, Tamara Day Spa, Costume Cave, celebrant Andy Harness, Chocolate Cake Company, Ivy Bar, Two Right Feet Dance Studio, Birdsnest Bach, S&Ms Bar, Caffe L'affare, wedding venue - Ohariu Farm, Just Teasing, InForm Physio, Room 99, Craft House, Ana Cuisine, Capital E, Ninjaflower, Unity Books Wellington and Jenny O'Connor - Photographer, artist Julia Bromley, The Vault and Te Horo Olives, and Peaches and Cream.

ENDS