Category: Opinion

Sep 11
Ellen’s End?

As the future of Ellen DeGeneres’ hit daytime talk show hangs in the balance, Levi Joule takes a look at the impact the comedienne has had on LGBT representation in pop culture. With the very real possibility of Ellen being ‘cancelled’ both figuratively and literarily, it’s easy to join the pile on, but there are […]

Aug 24
The Pleasure Police

Why have poppers been banned in New Zealand? Why haven’t our Pride groups fought this? Has homophobia played a part? Long time community activist and social commentator Michael Stevens asks the important questions. Amyl. Poppers. Rush. Jungle Juice. Leather Cleaner. “Room Deodorizer” (That one always puzzled me in my teens when I’d see that description […]

Aug 12
AGONY UNCLE ELI ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Rainbow Counsellor Elijah Michel tackles questions about dealing with a partner’s gender identity confession and being accused of racism. My partner and I have been together for 8 years and suddenly he has shared with me he feels like he is a woman. I can’t believe he has waited all these years to tell me, […]

Aug 10
Dating: Download, Uninstall, Repeat!

Hookup apps have become convenient go-to ways of meeting ‘like-minded’ people, but what are the transactional-nature of these apps doing to their users? Dick Richards hopes he doesn’t end up heartless. Obviously apps like Grindr, Tinder and Scruff they have their merits. They’re dicks on tap and sometimes that’s what we need for a season. […]

Jul 13
Agony Uncle Eli Answers Your Questions

Rainbow Counsellor Elijah Michel is here to help you. Today he tackles questions about same-sex couples holding hands in public and transphobia within the queer community. Dear Eli, I have recently started dating a guy. It’s going well but while I am used to being affectionate behind closed doors, he likes to hold my hand […]

Jul 10
Intersectionality At An Intersection

Ramon Te Wake looks at the Black Lives Matter movement through a trans-Māori lense and questions which way we are heading when we keep returning to the same place. The roar of injustice is so loud right now it’s impossible to be still and silent or ignorant. But remember, this roar isn’t new. As a […]

Jul 09
Love Has No Borders… Well It Does Now!

Immigration expert, Malcolm Pacific’s David Cooper says the new normal has changed the game for long-distance relationships.   If during lockdown you were spending more time on Grindr and Tinder connecting with potential partners overseas, getting them to New Zealand has become a whole lot harder since the border closed. COVID-19 led to tough measures […]

Jul 05
Ask Agony Uncle Eli

Rainbow Counsellor Elijah Michel is here to help you. Today Eli examines jumping into a relationship head first and trying to stay focused while working from home. I have been bitten by the love bug but am about getting swept up in my new romance too quickly. I am in my forties and met the […]