Rainbow Youth celebrated their 25th birthday in style last night at a function held at Auckland’s Foating Pavilion in the viaduct harbour.
One of the keynote speakers was Labour MP Louisa Wall who gifted a painting of Tamati Coffey to Rainbow Youth and spoke of the need for organisations such as Rainbow Youth to ensure “everybody in our community can live a very normal, ordinary transparent life.”
“The ultimate goal for our community is we are normal New Zealanders but can come together for times like this and celebrate the wonderfulness we can give to the world.”
RY’s General Manager, Duncan Matthews, says of the anniversary “I’m proud to be heading up RY, 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 was ‘25 Years, 25 More’. There were a number of videos of members past and present talking about the importance of Rainbow Youth to them. There was also 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.
Guests were treated to entertainment and performances from gals and young Auckland rapper RANDA, a photobooth, a historical timeline as well as drinks and canapés.
Article | Levi Joule
