The premier event is “One Hour with Two” , which has NZSA president Tony Simpson in conversation with outgoing gay Sargeson Fellow David Lyndon Brown, and lesbian novelist Julie Helean.The free event will be held in the Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium on Monday, 12 – 1pm, from noon to 1 pm.

This event will culminate with Tony announcing the winners of the second event, a Flash-writing competition. The competition has two strands, GLBT Fiction and GLBT non-fiction. Flash writing keeps word totals to a maximum of 300, and requires a complete story to be told. Entries are invited from GLBT writers from all NZSA branches. Modest cash prizes of $50,$30, $20 will be given in each category. Deadline for entries is 31 December 2012.

Entries must be typed on one side of A4 paper, and mailed to : GBLT Flash Writing Competition, Apt 1003, Imperial Gardens, 135 Hobson St., Auckland 1010. Please put your category on the envelope.

The third event is a debate between university students, who will themselves choose which of the topic suggestions they wish to pursue. That free event will also be held in the Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium, on 18 February, noon-1pm.

The Chair person for the Campaign for Marriage Equality Public Meetings in Wellington, Rawa Karetai said, “We believe that we should live in a country without discrimination and bullying. The current law discriminates against a certain number of people in New Zealand and it’s just not right”.

“A safe passage of this bill would help the acceptance of all queer people. Being discriminated by people is one thing but being discriminated by our state and legislation is much worse,” Karetai said.

“We want to send a message to the select committee to encourage acceptance and that we support this bill. We strongly recommend that other people submit to the select committee also”. Karetai
continued.

The Campaign for Marriage Equality Wellington public meetings are held every Wednesday night until 19 December 2012 – then restarting again 16 January 2013 at 6:30pm. The purpose of these
meetings is to bring community groups and individuals together to discuss the progress of the bill and to work out how to aid the safe passage of the bill.

Public Meetings:

• Time: 6:30pm – 8pm – followed with networking
• Address: Anvil House, Level 1, 138-140 Wakefield Street, Wellington
• Contact: Rawa Karetai, the Chair 027-405-1883 if the door is locked.

Submission Details:

• Submissions can be made either through the Marriage Equality website or through the Parliamentary Website.
• http://www.marriageequality.co.nz/submit
• www.parliament.nz
• Due: Friday 26 October 2012

LegaliseLove has opted to elect two co-chairs, queer youth worker Tabby Besley and Theatre, Film and Media student Jett Ranchhod, whose experiences within New Zealand’s diverse LGBTI community will only strengthen the group’s goal of marriage equality.

“I’m looking forward to working with and involving all parts of the community, especially young people and groups who have not yet had the experience of fighting for their rights,” said Jett Ranchhod.

LegaliseLove and marriage equality groups within Wellington are currently working together to facilitate and organise a rally on August 29.

“We’re having the rally to welcome the bill into parliament and celebrate the opportunity New Zealand has been given to take a step towards greater equality,” said Tabby Besley.

Website: www.legaliselove.org.nz

Rosslyn was Chief Commissioner at the HRC for ten years up to 2011, and has subsequently acted as Chair of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC). More info: Rosslyn Noonan.

Date: Wednesday 22nd August
Time: 6 pm.
Venue: S&M Bar, 176 Cuba Street.
This is a free event, open to all.

Rainbow Wellington Website – Facebook Event Page

The even till start at Civic Square at 12pm with a march to parliament to arrive at 1pm for the rally.

More information

In Dunedin a rally is been held at the Octagon at 1pm, 29 August – More information

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LegaliseLove group plan to rally at Civic Square at noon, then march to parliament down Willis st and on to Lampton Quay. At parliamentthe group will be received by an array of supporting MP’s and others will give speeches.

As for the date in question – why October 20th? Spirit Day. In the USA, this is a day targeted at non-heterosexual people; promoting acceptance and equality. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple, and while the event is original about the bullying faced by American LGBT students, we feel that it can easily become so much more.

• 12pm – Gather at Civic Square
• 12.20pm – The march starts
• 1pm – Arrive at Parliament – Speakers start
• For more info go to www.legaliselove.org.nz – Facebook

Community events, news, interviews and music from Aotearoa and the world of interest to lesbians.

• Wellington Lesbian Radio Show
• Wellington Lesbian Radio Facebook
• Lesbian Wellington
• Listen
• Download

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Representatives of all the current Parliamentary political parties, and NZ First have being invited.

The Forum will start at 6 pm. Nibbles will be provided and there will be a cash bar.

There is no requirement to book and they are asking for donations at the door, of at least $10 per person, to help defray our costs

More information:

• Rainbow Wellington
• Facebook
• Facebook Event
• Wellesly Boutique Hotel