Unitec Students Show Support for LGBT with Pink Pride

May 18, 2012

Unitec Students Show Support for LGBT with Pink Pride

On 18 May, 2012 Unitec students and staff celebrated campus wide diversity and LGBT-Orientation support through their public display of the colour pink. Pink Shirt Day is a National Campaign that aims to create an awareness and community support around positive relationships.

Unitec’s Equity and Diversity Manager, Matthew Farry, explains, “One person is not going to get rid of bullying. The only way that we can defeat bullying, is if all of us take a stand. Bullying is something that is not conducive to being the best tertiary education provider we can be.”

On a national level, the event seeks to prevent bullying throughout campuses and workplaces. Unitec maintains a level of awareness to the campaign’s core message which speaks out against bullying and promotes further support for gay and lesbian relationships.

Shannon Pennefather, President of Unitec’s Student Association, extended his support at the event, “The Unitec LGBT community needs an identity. This identity will help to create more awareness, visibility and acceptance. Unitec and the USU have got your back, so let’s work together to make this happen.”

The event, held at Unitec’s Waitakere campus, saw a fantastic turnout with participation from students, lecturers and administrators. The live entertainment and presentations were well received and integrated well into the student life experience.

One of Unitec’s Community Skills students, Genesis Bradley, expressed his opinion behind the cause, “This is a day to put on the pink and spread the message that none of us at Unitec will stand for homophobic bullying.”

Unitec students proudly celebrate diversity and gladly represent these values for tertiary students all over New Zealand. Participation at events such as these illustrates that the ‘power’ to build positive relationships comes from within educated communities.

ENDS

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