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Find a Dance Partner. February only. Some of us want
to dance and or compete and feel constrained because we do not have a dance
partner. So during February we are going to trial a way to bring dance
partners together in Wellington by asking people on this DANSSINZ list. If you also
want a dance partner please send your request to: danssinz@hotmail.com and we will send it out to list. Please include the
following information: Are
you female/male? Are
you follower/leader/either? What
is your dancing experience? Do
you have a dance type preference (Ballroom/Latin/New Vogue)? Are
you happy to dance with beginner/same level/more experienced partner? What
do you hope to achieve? Your aim? Include
your name and email contact Dance like there’s no
tomorrow! DANSSINZ ----------- Dance Partner
Wanted: 1. Female follower is
seeking dance partner (female lead) for practice and competitions. I've been
dancing since 2008 and enjoy both same sex and mainstream dance classes
immensely. I was successful at comps and would like to continue dancing with a
permanent dance partner. I aim to pass my Silver Medal in Ballroom and
Latin in July. I'm very happy to
dance with a beginner. And/or I would love the challenge of stretching myself
to dance with a more advanced partner. Either way would be acceptable as the
fun and commitment to dancing is my primary drive. If you are
interested, please get in contact to discuss further details. ----------- 2. I am a female
follower and I'm looking for a female lead to compete with in the Novice
(Tango) and/or Prelim (Rumba) Event in the Same Sex Competition in
Wellington 31 March 2012. I am happy to dance with an absolute beginner. Please contact
me at: Dianne Hendey
NEED
HELP COMING OUT? Wellington's Gay and Lesbian Choir has entered a
new phase in its growth as it announces a new, and very fitting name. Formerly
known as the Homophones, the choir has evolved with the addition of women to become
the Glamaphones. The new choir is now well established and sang at
Rainbow Wellington's mid-winter dinner, celebrating the 25th anniverary of
Homosexual Law Reform. Rehearsals are on Thursdays
6.30 - 8.30, at St Mary's Hall in Boulcott Street, 50m up the road from the
church. Contact Jo Calascione jocal101@gmail.com or Jan
Suckling jan@suckling.net.nz if you are interested or for more info. Jan Suckling Ph: 021 762 872 27 March 2011 This has been another successful year during which
we have both continued our programs and ventured into some new territory. Social
We hosted three dinners this year, returning for a
one off to Newtown for a pizza banquet, and for our end of year function to the
Cheeky Pipi (managed by our Board member Phil Rogers) which went with a bang.
Our mid winter/Stonewall function at the Osteria del Toro was also well
attended and highly successful but marred by a dispute over the bill which
arose because a small number of attendees failed to meet the costs of their
drinks. This was eventually resolved by good will of the parties and we actually
were able to more than recoup our loss. We can, I believe, return happily to
this venue as a result. Pub nights have been on a bit of a downturn this
year, with only one new venue added – The Library – and a number deleted, as
well as a reduction in frequency to monthly. We are currently assessing this
and may, if attendances continue to be disappointing, discontinue this
activity. That would be a shame, in my view; this is a long running part of our
activities and continues to attract a core group. The incoming Board will be
reviewing it. Our program of visiting speakers has continued to
be a success. Of particular note were the American Ambassador David Huebner and
his partner Dwayne McWayne who were our guests at the Wellesley Club in June.
We returned to Kitty's for Brian Brooks, Claudia Geiringer and Jeremy Pope on
various aspects of human rights. There are further possible speakers in the
pipeline, including Marilyn Waring in the coming year. Other events for the year included our ever popular
Unity Books night in August, at which we were able to host visiting thriller
author of prize winning Wire in the Blood, and the members only special
exhibitions tour at Te Papa hosted by curator Tony Mackle. Many thanks Tony. Sponsorships and Media Relations
We sponsored both Out in the Square and Out-takes
again this year. The latter in particular seems to be climbing back to its past
glories. We certainly hope so. We continue to be a full member of ILGA. But undoubtedly our major effort has been in respect
of the Outgames, ( contributing a sum of $10,000 ) for which we sponsored
international speakers Sunil Pant M P from Nepal and Grace Poore from the
International Human Rights Commission. We also hosted a very successful dinner
at parliament for both Grace and Boris Dittrich from Human Rights Watch, which
enabled them to meet a number of our out M Ps and our patron the Mayor of
Wellington Celia Wade-Brown. The games and conference and their related
functions were a magnificent success and we have written to the organisers
accordingly. The only negative note was the almost total failure of the media
to report on what was undoubtedly a major international event for Wellington
and New Zealand, and we have made our protests accordingly in several quarters.
That notwithstanding, our relations with the gltbi
media have been improving as both gay Express and gaynz.com seem to be looking
beyond Auckland rather more regularly than in the past, and we have been able
to place a number of items. Campaigns
It is most disappointing to report that a letter to
the current prime minister John Key setting out our main concerns has gone not
only unanswered but unacknowledged. These are not trivial matters and include
such priorities as gay marriage, single gender adoption, homophobic bullying in
schools, and the implementation of To be Who We Are which one would expect
serious governing parties have a view on. Putting it together with the curious
claim made by the PM at the Big Gay Out that he should be congratulated not
repealing such items as civil unions, it is clear that under the current
administration we cannot expect much progress in achieving our full human
rights. It was disappointing, therefore, to see our Auckland compatriots
actually applauding Mr Key at the BGO although one brave soul took the chance
to challenge him – to little avail. In that connection, plans are advancing for us to
mark the election at the end of this year with a visit to the major political
parties (National, Labour, Greens, Maori and ACT) on a range of issues and to
set up a members' forum at the Wellesley where you can quiz them on their
intentions. These are serious issues and deserve a serious answer. In that
connection we note the intention at the Human Rights Conference at the Outgames
to set up an Auckland based blanket national glbti rights group Rainbow
Aotearoa to pursue such issues. We have made contact with the proposers,
welcomed their initiative and offered our support. They appear to have been
unaware that we have been pursuing such matters for several years with some
success but their support will be welcome if they can get this off the ground. We are presently pursuing a new campaign regarding
the blocking of Wii access on an apparently discriminatory basis by the
McDonald's (I hesitate to say 'food') chain. Among other campaign initiatives we have taken, we
continue to seek a rapproachment with the Salvation Army, we have queried the
cancellation of the women's and gender studies program at Victoria University,
have supported the victims of the Blooming Bulbs arson attack, and continued
our initiatives regarding homophobic bullying in schools through appropriate
ministers, again to little avail or even comprehension of the nature of the
issue. Membership and Patronage
Our individual membership remains disappointingly
static, and does not appear to have responded to the change in membership year
(although that was not the main impetus for the change). We have to spend far
too much time chasing people up. Our annual sub is very modest, particularly in
relation to what we do for members, and it is something that people should not
have to be reminded about. Corporate supporters are declining in numbers,
perhaps as a result of the recession. We are also delighted to welcome on board as our primary
patron the new Mayor of Wellington, Celia Wade-Brown, who responded to our
invitation to follow on from our previous and very supportive patron Kerry
Prendergast, almost by return of post with an enthusiastic 'yes'. It's pleasing
to enjoy such support. Housekeeping
We have been able to enhance our electronic systems
this past year and iron out some kinks. We rely upon members to tell us when
things don't work so please feel free to do so. However, an experiment with
Facebook has not been a success despite some enthusiastic initial input. Is
there a lively volunteer administrator out there? Board membership and attendance has been good but
we could do with new blood. I should note officially that Amadee Rose is your
vice chair. I should also thank board members for their work and input,
especially our secretary Tony Reed who never sleeps on your behalf. We are
neither thanked nor paid for our efforts (which can be significant) and don't
expect to, but if there are people out there who want to lend a hand then don't
be shy. Tony Simpson Chair of Rainbow Wellington You're invited... On Sunday's at 5.00pm at
Strike, 399 Hutt Road, Lower Hutt After a hugely successful Asia Pacific Outgames
held in Wellington in March 2011, the Rainbow Bowling League has been
re-established, allowing friends and family of the GLTB community to come
together and enjoy the sport of Tenpin Bowling. Join in the fun and invite your friends to join us
each Sunday at 5.00pm for some real GAY bowling. Playing 3 games of tenpin, in teams of 2 this
social competition is a whole lot of fun. Cost is only $20pp and includes games, shoe hire
(if required) and also weekly prizes and competition trophies. For more information, and to register your interest,
please email Ph: Dion Leslie on 0276 554 531 Wellington Whites - New Zealand's first gay
football club is now up and running in preperation for the Outgames. Initially
we are a men's five-a-side team and will be playing in the outgames as our
first tournament followed by Culture Kicks and hopefully one day an
eleven-a-side team. We are looking for new players, a kit sponsor
though as we're small this will be a small cost and referees for the soccer
tournmant dates 13th - 15th March. Our motto is 'Bringing Football Together'
represented by the silver ferns coming together in our logo, as we appeal to
all. Please get in contact with Gavin Green on
freelancegavin@yahoo.co.uk with all enquiries. |
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