Scoop  Regional

Pink Shirt Day meets the Prime Minister

Pink Shirt Day saw over 3000 letters sent to the Prime Ministers mailbox. This week members of Q-Youth Nelson and Rainbow Youth Auckland, the groups responsible for the campaign, met with the Prime Minister.

Also present with them was Olympian Blake Skjellerup. Skjellerup who was the ambassador for Pink Shirt day said, "The experience for me has almost been like a fairy tale. The Pink Shirt day campaign was a huge success and the follow up with the Prime Minister was an ideal outcome. To have an audience with him, and to be discussing such important issues pertaining to the development and future of youth in this country is extremely comforting"

Tabby Besley, who is the Youth Representative for Q-Youth said, "The meeting with John Key was a great outcome to the 3000 plus letters sent on Pink Shirt day. It is empowering for queer youth around New Zealand to know that the Prime Minster is listening to their message, and that he understand their concerns".

Pink Shirt Day is an international event against bullying. This year Nelson's Q-Youth, and Auckland's Rainbow Youth came together to highlight the bullying situation in our schools, with particular focus on homophobic and transphobic bullying.

The group’s objective was to get the attention of the Prime Minister. Q-Youth Executive Director, Seb Stewart, said, "There is growing concern for the plight of queer youth in our schools. The disproportionate bullying experienced by queer young people in our schools has largely gone under the radar. The Youth 07 Report, by Auckland University, highlights the concerning levels of depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, self harm and suicide experienced by queer young people. It is encouraging that the Prime Minister is indicating his willingness, on behalf of the Government, to address these important issues."

The group shared their findings from the Pink Shirt day campaign and asked the Prime Minister for his support on several issues.

Rainbow Youth Executive Director Thomas Hamilton would like to see the Prime Minister endorse their education program. Aimed at students, teachers, youth workers, health professionals and whanau, it is a tool that can be adaptable to any work or family environment. He said the aim of the education package is to clarify the difference between sexuality and gender identity and also recognise validity of these identities within heteronormative society.

Stewart and Besley asked the Prime Minister for his endorsement of the newly formed Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) Network. The idea of the group is to support and establish the creation of student driven diversity groups in New Zealand High Schools. “Student led groups are the best way to bring about a culture change from within the school. Strong leaders in the school, queer and straight, make a public stand against discrimination and bullying. The support of the straight students, especially the boys, is important in setting a culture in which people are valued for who and what they are”, said Stewart.

"The Prime Ministers desire to address youth suicide in New Zealand and his acknowledgement of the plight of queer youth in particular is encouraging,” said Stewart.

Hamilton said, "It is a relief to know that some of the key issues we face every day at work he was willing and able to listen too, that was a gift. I just hope we succeeded in harnessing and sharing the huge voice of our queer and trans youth with him effectively"

Overall the group found the meeting with the Prime Minister a positive experience. They are excited that he sees the value in the work the groups are under taking and hope that this is the start of a new partnership on queer youth issues between the groups and the government.

Click for big version

Left to right: Seb Stewart, Blake Skjellerup, Prime Minister Key, Tabby Besley, Thomas Hamilton

ENDS

© Scoop Media

 

Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines