Press Statement: September 2008
Wellington Gay Welfare Group, also known as Gay Wellington, is happy to announce that Hannah Ho Wai Ling
is beginning her second year with us as Community Development and Youth Worker after a year working in
conjunction with the Mahi ki te Ora Cadetship. Hannah has been assisting WGWG with developing networks
across queer communities, as well as enhancing the School’s Out queer youth programme.
Hannah has experience in community work, and has been responsible for a national conference on identity,
dominance and colonisation, as well as for anti-racism workshops within Asian communities.
There are now 6 Queer/sexuality/gender groups operating in the wider Wellington region, School's Out
started in Lower Hutt in August with new people attending each week and Schools Out also delivers
presentations, "Homophobia and Racism 101", to each year 9 health class at Hutt Valley High School.
Hannah, along with a queer teacher, has created a 1 hour Professional Development programme,
"Queer Youth 101", aimed at secondary school faculty staff. This was delivered initially at Wgtn High to
60 teachers with very positive feedback. Whew! Is she ever a ball of fire!
But wait, of course theres more! Currently she has a young man conducting a few sessions about sex,
consent, boundaries and healthy relationships, after having a discussion about
"getting boozed and hooking up" and hearing that a number of young people are feeling pressured to have sex,
not feeling like they can say no, and sleeping with people they don't want to.
You can contact Hannah at the Wellington Gay Welfare
Group,
telephone: 473 7878
email:
helpline@gaywellington.org
Lesbian Drop In / Support Group
There is a Lesbian Drop In / Support Group for women who are new to Wellington, or
just new to the
Gay Scene, starting up shortly.
Our first meeting is on Wednesday May 6th, 6pm at Anvil House 1st Floor,
Wakefield Street. (opposite Michael Fowler Centre car park)
For more info leave a note for Jo with your phone number or email at
E-mail:
helpline@gaywellington.org or Phone: (04) 473 7878 and I will get back to you.
Look forward to meeting you.