Supporting the health and wellbeing of the local rainbow community

Rainbow heart.Our sexual and gender identity goes to the heart of who we are as people. Some of us – especially younger people – can at times find it hard figuring out how we identify.

No one really knows yet what determines a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Some people find it easy to accept, and be accepted for, who they are. Others can find it more of a struggle, especially if our whānau and friends don’t support us.

Feeling comfortable and confident about our sexual and gender identity is crucial to good health and wellbeing. Identifying as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexed and Asexual) may make you more prone to being labelled, made fun of or abused. It’s a sad fact that people who seem to be different to the ‘norm’ often face discrimination and bullying.

Resources and support services are available to help you explore issues around gender and sexual identity.

Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health assists the LGBTQIA+ community by supporting the Pride Committee.

 

Updated Pink Pages Directory is now available

The Pink Pages is a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Intersex and Transgender Directory of Queer and Queer Friendly Services in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

This is now an online downloadable resource – rather than a website.

Please complete the application form below if you would like to add a new listing to the Pink Pages.

Free online course: Supporting Transgender People

Gender Minorities Aotearoa is offering a free online course called Supporting Transgender People. This course is designed to increase your knowledge of issues affecting transgender people in Aotearoa, and to build your confidence in speaking about these issues and supporting transgender people. It is an introductory course and is suitable for people with any level of knowledge on transgender issues.

The course takes 2 to 3 hours to complete, and is broken into three sessions. You can stop at any time and continue later by logging in again. There are links to further reading at the end of some sections – these are optional and are not included in the time allocation.

Content warning: This course discusses stigma, discrimination, and violence experienced by transgender and intersex people. Some content may be distressing.

All Right?: Taking pride in who we are

However you identify: More than All Right?

Research from the All Right? campaign in early 2020 found that the Christchurch rainbow community is optimistic overall and many things are getting better. However many LGBTQIA+ people still face significant obstacles to their wellbeing.

The rainbow community contributes so much to our city – injecting vibrancy, excitement and compassion. Unfortunately, discrimination, bullying, privacy violations and things as simple as incorrect assumptions are holding us back, and our city is poorer for it.

The More than All Right? campaign was designed to celebrate and give greater visibility to our local rainbow community. It shines the light on local members of our rainbow community from all walks of life.


Documents

Research reports on human rights, wellbeing and health

Support materials for parents and schools

Downloads

Order resources from the Community Health Information Centre.

Links

For further information, contact:

CANTERBURY
Sarah Eynon
Ph: +64 3 364 1777


Support services for LGBTQIA+ community

OUTline NZ
0800 OUTLINE (0800 688 463)

The LowDown
Text 5626

Depression Helpline
0800 111 757

Support organisations for Canterbury, South Canterbury and West Coast LGBTQIA youth [253KB PDF].

Qtopia (Facebook).

Mana Tipua Takatāpui (Instagram) – a youth group in Ōtautahi.

Unbreakable Foundation (Facebook) – run exercise classes for the LGBTQIA+ and Takatāpui community in Ōtautahi.

ReWired – a methamphetamine support programme specifically for gay and bisexual men in Christchurch.

LGBT Community Timaru (Facebook).

Support networks for transgender people (HealthInfo).

Information on Canterbury DHB gender affirming health services (HealthInfo).

 

Gender Diversity Aotearoa has many health-related resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals and health professionals.



Page last updated: 18/07/2024

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