Queer youth are struggling to get to this year’s queer youth hui Kazam in Auckland, so Rainbow Youth is teaming up with Kamo Bar for a fundraiser on 01 June at 7.30pm.
Kamo co-owner Toby Steele says Kamo Bar is committed to supporting the community. He says Rainbow Youth is one of four non-profit organisations that the bar has selected to support.
“Rainbow Youth was the first one to come along that we could do something for and really put our money where our mouths are,” says Toby. “But it’s about more than just a one-off event – the fundraiser is being held right after gaba [Gay Auckland Business Association] meets at the bar, so we’re looking forward to these two groups meeting.”
Toby says before Kamo held the Auckland Mardi Gras meeting on Monday, he had a few interesting conversations with key figures in the community. What came out of these discussions was that the community needs to encourage the younger and older generations to talk to each other more.
“10-15 years ago when I came out, and this happened for year, there was almost a seniority system in the gay world,” says Toby. “We all had a mentor who was out in the community and proud – they would help you experience gay culture and learn about the community. It was never anything untoward, it was a really positive, affirming experience that I feel has been lost with the rise of the internet.
“The internet has definitely made the mainstream community more accepting of the GLBT community, but I think the GLBT community has lost a lot of human contact; our generations have become quite segregated. I think it’s important to connect with the younger generation.”
Kamo is donating one dollar from every drink sold at the Kazam fundraiser to Rainbow Youth, monies that Toby says will be given to the organisation straight away so it can tie up any loose ends or help queer youth who are struggling to get to the hui at the last minute.
Emcee Steven Oates will be joined by Olympic speed skater and queer youth advocate Blake Skjellerup on the night to head the event. Blake, who has helped Rainbow Youth with projects such as Pink Shirt Day, has also put together a video in support of the hui. Watch it below.
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