Our love letter to our community.
We acknowledge tangata whenua and the rich takatāpui history that they have gifted us.
We acknowledge trans women, particularly trans women of colour - our community owes so much of our progress to you, and we will always stand with you.
We acknowledge our queer, gender diverse and intersex elders and the legacy of protest, celebration and existence that has been passed down to us.
The kaimahi at RainbowYOUTH have been disheartened by the increasing transphobic discourse in Aotearoa and around the world. For many of us, the bigotry and racism that we have faced personally is what has led us to take up this work in service of our communities. While we acknowledge the part these experiences have played in our lives, experiencing bigotry and racism should never have to feel like a ‘rite of passage’ for young people in order for them to live their lives.
In moments like these where people choose to weaponise fear and misinformation, our thoughts are with rainbow young people. Our inherited legacy from those that have come before us reminds us of the power of community.
In saying that, our message to young people in the face of such unjustified hate is that we are committed more than ever to building an Aotearoa where you can thrive, where whānau embrace and support their trans and gender diverse children, where young people can access gender affirming care and safe housing, and where you can meet people like you (because there are so many people like you!).
Our message to you is that our existence will outlive their hate. That we are building a world where trans youth will become trans elders, and join us in passing down this legacy of protest, celebration, existence, and most importantly love to those that follow them.
To our young people that are out, that are still finding their way, that are reclaiming the words that reflect your identity, that are simply just existing:
Our kaupapa is bigger than them.
Our community is bigger than them.
And our love for you will always be bigger than them.
Love always,
RainbowYOUTH Staff.