Out

As many of you have heard, the government has proposed a new Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill.

We (Out@AUT) condemn this. Like the Treaty Principles Bill before it, this bill solely exists to push conservative talking points without regard to the harm it will cause or the fact that it is a solution in search of a problem that will achieve nothing of value.

So far, the Definitions of Woman and Man bill has been proposed and passed its first reading (out of three required for a bill to become law). It is currently being examined by a select committee. Crucially, this committee accepts submissions from the public, meaning you can urge Parliament to reject it!

You do not need to be a legal expert to make an effective submission, and even something short can have a real impact by demonstrating public opposition. But if you want to write something longer, you can draw on the serious negative consequences such as exclusion, discrimination and lack of legal recognition this will have on trans, q***r and intersex people, along with the need for stronger protection.

To make this easier, there will be a submissions workshop in WQ460 (Te Poro Āniwaniwa/the Rainbow Room) on Tuesday June 9, currently thinking 2pm, so you can make submissions with company and receive help with yours. We'll also be working with AUTSA to write an open letter to the government from AUT's Rainbow community, which will be discussed at the workshop.

Submissions for this bill close at midnight on July 2, so make sure to get your voice heard!

There are a couple other noteworthy bills accepting submissions right now also: one that would allow the police to issue anti-homeless "move-on orders" (submissions close July 2), and one that could make disability support a lot less accessible (submissions close June 12).

If all this is stressing you out, please do not hesitate to contact Elim and Nica (AUT's Rainbow team) for support. It's what they're here for.

A link to some information resources and guides to write a submission is in our bio.

Two Rainbow Hangouts!
We hope you've all had a lovely first semester of the year! We've only got two more events on City before everyone's assignments start to build up, but watch this space if you're up North.

Our penultimate hangout is this very Friday (May 8) from 1-4 pm. We will be receiving condoms and other supplies from the Burnett Foundation, for us to help package for distribution. Come along to the Rainbow Room (Te Poro Āniwaniwa) to hang out with other q***r people and put sexual health items in boxes for the community.

Also, if you're an exec candidate who didn't make the SGM, come to the room or join online via the Discord at any point during the condom packing event if you can so we can vote you in!

And last but certainly not least, we'll be serving pizza in WQ314 Scissors from 2-4 pm on Monday May 11, so come down there and have something to snack on while you socialize and/or study!

Rainbow Hangout: Bracelet Making!

Welcome back to the semester, everyone! For our first event after the break (besides our all-important SGM), we'd like to invite you all to come down to either the City Campus Rec Center (WQ314 Scissors from 1:00-3:00 pm on Friday April 24) or the North Campus Rainbow Room (AE103 from 3:30-5:00 pm on Thursday April 23) to make some fun accessories! Supplies will be provided.

(another) Rainbow Hangout - Arts and Crafts!

We hope you all enjoy the jewelry making. Next week we'll be doing arts and crafts, so if you feel like making or drawing something fun do come by! Next week's City hangout will be on the Monday (March 16, 2:00-4:00 pm) rather than the Friday, in the WQ314 Scissors room which is stocked with creative items. This hangout also comes with a North iteration on Thursday March 19 in the North Rainbow Room (AE103) from 3:30-5:00 pm, so if you're up there do come along to that!

Rainbow Hangout + SGM!

Now that Clubs Expo is done, we'll be opening the semester with our first hangout of the year: a social meet and greet to welcome everyone to campus. Come join us in WQ315 (City Campus) on Friday March 6 or AE103 (North Campus) on Wednesday March 4, 1-3pm both days, to hang out with other rainbow students! Tea will be available on City, but not on North due to room booking requirements.

Additionally, we're looking for more execs this semester! Want to help plan and run events like this week's hangouts? Fill out the form on the QR code (or linked in our bio) and come to our election meeting on Monday April 20 from 2-4pm to get elected to our team (or just show up anyway because you want to see how the club works). The meeting will be held in the Rainbow space on City (WQ460), but online attendance will also be available. Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday April 19.