Join us for kai and social chats with lovely people, bring yourself, whanau and friends, and some kai to share if you want to. Kai and chats go for the first two hours, and then we watch a film for the last two hours. The film is often rated R16 or R18, but the kai and chats are suitable for all ages. Doors close at the halfway point, so please arrive by then so someone can let you in.
When and where:
Raw Sugar Wellington is held on the second Saturday each month, from 4 till 8pm during summer, and from 2 till 6pm during winter, at the GMA Wellington office and community drop in (The Gender Centre Wellington).
The Gender Centre Wellington is on the first floor above Aunty Dana’s Op Shop – come through the store and out the back and then upstairs, or ask at the shop counter.
Accessibility:
It is not mobility accessible at the moment. There are all-genders toilets, and the lighting is non-fluorescent. It is a low allergen space, so no sprays or air-freshers, and please don’t wear perfume or cologne. Disability assist animals are welcome, however due to allergies and phobias please do not bring any other animals.
Summer times:
March – 14th, 4pm kai, 6pm film, 8pm finish.
April – 11th, 4pm kai, 6pm film, 8pm finish.
Winter times:
May – 2pm kai, 4pm film, 6pm finish.
June – 13th, 2pm kai, 4pm film, 6pm finish.
July – 11th, 2pm kai, 4pm film, 6pm finish.
August – 8th, 2pm kai, 4pm film, 6pm finish.
September – 12th, 2pm kai, 4pm film, 6pm finish.
Summer times:
October – 10th, 4pm kai, 6pm film, 8pm finish.
November – 14th, 4pm kai, 6pm film, 8pm finish.
End of 2020:
December – 12th – no Raw Sugar.
December – 29th – join us for a community water fight at Vinegar Hill gay camp, Putai Ngahere reserve, near Hunterville. It is free to come for a day trip, just pay $5 each to the Queen at The Palace marquee. Details and prices for overnight camping are available here.
Where: Albert Park, Rangipuke, at the band rotunda.
The march starts at 4pm (details here), we will gather first at 3.30 at the band rotunda to pick which placard to carry and get a sweet group photo, before we move up with the placards to the Queen Victoria statue (focus of queer and trans colonial critique) for the opening speeches at 4pm.
Our trans youth led gala was a huge success, with over 200 attendees, a dozen lively stalls, and a sweet chill zone, complete with fresh coffee courtesy of People’s Coffee. We wrapped up with the Wellington launch of Counting Ourselves, the national 2019 trans health report.
Stalls included:
Tarot readings and witchy zines and stickers
Makeup application, embroidery, and handmade jewellery
Trans folks of all ages and their whanau and supporters had a great time, including stallholders from as far away as Palmerston North, and attendees from Feilding, Auckland, and other parts of the country. We met grandparents and parents, including some from the Parents of Transgender Children group.
Counting Ourselves Wellington Launch
It was all topped off at the end of the day by the Wellington launch of Counting Ourselves, the 2019 national transgender health research report, conducted by and for transgender people. Research Officer Jack Byrne talked about the report’s findings and recommendations, and encouraged everyone to use the data in their activism.
A one minute video excerpt from the Counting Ourselves launch. There is also an audio recording of the launch coming soon at PrideNZ.
Youth team representatives closed the evening with a big thankyou from GMA to all who helped out, held a stall, or came by to have a look, buy some things, and hang out. A special thanks went to Newtown Community and Cultural Center, for co-creating and hosting the event.
We loved the opportunity to hold a trans led event that all our friends and supporters could come to – the sense of community was amazing! Thank you all so much for supporting local transgender people, and helping GMA to support trans folks all over Aotearoa.