Macleans College celebrates Schools’ Pride Week
Posted on June 20, 2023
Students from the Rainbow Pride Group organised a range of activities last week to raise awareness and affirm all the different rainbow identities at Macleans College.
This was part of InsideOUT’s National Schools’ Pride Week campaign which last year saw 274 schools involved. The events were for everyone, no matter how any individual identifies and it was great to see so many students and staff support this initiative across the school.
The activities included a pride themed quiz, and a bake sale that raised money for rainbow charities. A library display of rainbow themed books titled ‘Out on the Shelves’ was another initiative appreciated by students. Throughout the week, flags and stickers were displayed proudly across the school helping everyone to learn more about the different pride flags and identities they represent.
On Wednesday 14 June, Leaders of the Rainbow Pride Group attended ‘Lil Gay Out’ a day of learning, connecting and celebrating the LGBTIQA+ students of Tāmaki Makaurau. Over 200 students from 15 different schools attended workshops from different organisations including Auckland Libraries, Netsafe, School Sport NZ, and Rainbow Youth, and heard an inspirational address from Member of Parliament for Auckland Central, Chlöe Swarbrick. The day concluded with a performance from a star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Anita Wiglet.
The Rainbow Pride Group meets weekly as advertised in the school daily notices. As well as organising Pride Week, there are presentations on different topics, sharing of ideas and opportunities to make new friends and connections. All are welcome to these meetings.
The following links might be helpful in finding more information:
- Outline - confidential support line, rainbow specialist counselling and trans peer support
- Be There - Rainbow Support Collective website to support the parents and whānau of trans, non-binary, takatāpui, queer, intersex, and rainbow young people
- InsideOUT - national charity with resources to support rainbow communities
