RainbowYOUTH: 25 Years, 25 More

In 1989, a group of young people in Auckland got together to form a support group for LGBTIQ youth. They called it Auckland Lesbian And Gay Youth (ALGY). After 25 years, several location changes, a name change, a brand reboot and a lot of hard work and dedication, this group has emerged as RainbowYOUTH - one of the largest youth-run, youth-led charitable organisations in New Zealand.

To celebrate this exciting achievement, RainbowYOUTH are holding a 25th Reunion with the support of ASB. The reunion will take place on Wednesday the 19th of November, with ASB generously providing the venue - the ASB Cube, 12 Jellicoe Street in Wynyard Quarter.

RainbowYOUTH’s General Manager, Duncan Matthews, says “I’m proud to be heading up RainbowYOUTH, a youth-run and youth-led organisation, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Over the last 25 years, hundreds of people and countless volunteer hours have gone into building RainbowYOUTH, and supporting queer and trans* young people in Auckland and around the country. At this milestone, we are encouraging Alumni to reconnect with RY, and come together with community to celebrate the successes from the last 25 years, and look forward to the next 25.”

The theme of the evening is ‘25 Years, 25 More’. It will include taking a look back at RY’s past, as well as towards it’s future - and how, with the help of donations and community support, RY can continue for another 25 years.

Past and present members of RY will speak about their time with the organisation and reflect on it’s growth over 25 years. The event will also serve as a launch platform for several exciting new developments within RY - including the new Alumni Network, the brand new RainbowYOUTH website and the RainbowYOUTH mobile app, which has been developed over the past year by Localist.

The evening will also include performances by GALS (Gay and Lesbian Singers) and young Auckland rapper RANDA, a photobooth, a historical timeline as well as drinks and canapés.

RainbowYOUTH is calling for past and present members to get in touch if they would like to attend the event, or if they have any stories and memorabilia that they would like to share. They can get in touch by emailing info@ry.org.nz or by joining the Alumni Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rainbowyouthalumni

ENDS.

© Scoop Media