Rainbow Youth (stylised RainbowYOUTH, formerly Auckland Lesbian and Gay Youth) is a registered charitable organisationCharities Register , Charities Register that provides education, information, support and advocacy for LGBTIQ youth in New Zealand.Family Services Directory , Family Services Directory It was formed in 1989.
History Rainbow Youth was originally formed under the name Auckland Lesbian and Gay Youth in 1989 and became an incorporated society in 1995, also being renamed Rainbow Youth at the same time.25 Years and 25 More – The History of Rainbow Youth, Gay Express | Your Gay Voice, Gay Express Magazine Between the late 1990s and 2005, RainbowYOUTH began their education program in Auckland high schools, as well as several of their peer support groups.Educating for diversity: An informative evaluation of the rainbow youth sexuality and gender diversity workshops, The University of Auckland
Mission Rainbow Youth's mission is “to provide unbiased information and education regarding sexuality, gender and identity to everyone in the community, in order to foster understanding and acceptance of diversity”Constitution, Vision, Mission, Values and Objective , RainbowYOUTH Official Website and "to provide support, information and advocacy services to queer and questioning youth, their friends, and whānau".
Governance Rainbow Youth is run by youth and for youth,The challenges New Zealand's gay/bi teenagers face, Gay NZ.com with its executive board being made up entirely of people under the age of 27.Call goes out for RY board members, GayNZ.com
Services Rainbow Youth runs up to seven peer-support groups in Auckland, Tauranga and Whangārei.Queer/Trans Grants 2014, Ara Taiohi Rainbow Youth's education programme is delivered throughout the year to participating high schools throughout the Auckland region.Burford, J., Lucassen, M.F.G., Penniket, P. & Hamilton, T. (2013). Educating for diversity: An informative evaluation of the Rainbow Youth sexuality and gender diversity workshops., p.7-9. Rainbow Youth Incorporated, Auckland. . The workshops have been reported to be highly successful, with a study showing that between 91% and 94% of students would recommend the workshops to other young people. Rainbow Youth is also behind a rural outreach project called the I'm Local Project, which aims to provide free sexual and gender identity affirming resources and information to rural schools, medical centres and community organisations.'WhangaReinbow' offers support, Whangarei Leader Rainbow Youth provides in-person support peer support in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Taranaki.
References
External links RainbowYOUTH Official Website