OutLine Aotearoa Helps Rainbow Students Feel Seen and Supported

OutLine Aotearoa is making sure Takatāpui and Rainbow students know they are seen and supported. By contributing to events like Paint for Pride, they help to create safe spaces where connection and kōrero help young people feel at home in their identity.

University can be an exciting time to explore who you are and meet new people. But it can also feel lonely, especially for Takatāpui and Rainbow students who might not know where to turn for support. That’s why events like Paint for Pride, run by the University of Auckland’s FMHS Rainbow Student Network, are so important for building a sense of community.

At this event, students and Rainbow groups came together for a relaxed evening of painting tote bags, sharing kai, and chatting. Our partner charity, OutLine Aotearoa, was invited to join and speak alongside other local groups. Mahe, OutLine’s Fundraising and Finance Coordinator, shared a bit about the support OutLine offers and spoke openly about his own journey as a queer person balancing identity, whānau, and culture.

After his talk, many students came up to ask questions. A lot said they hadn’t heard of OutLine before but were happy to know support was available. Some wanted to know how to get help for themselves or their friends. Others simply said how powerful it was to hear someone talk honestly about being queer and connected to their culture.

“It was inspiring to hear Mahe’s story about queer identity and the ties to family, ethnicity, and tradition. Many students don’t know where to find help, but Mahe reminded us resources are there and why they matter.”

This kind of feedback shows why it’s so important for OutLine to be part of community events – not just to offer services but to remind people they’re not alone.

Thanks to One Percent Collective donors, OutLine can keep doing this mahi. Regular giving helps them reach people who might otherwise feel lost, making sure Takatāpui and Rainbow communities all over Aotearoa know there is tautoko whenever they need it.

For some people, a conversation at a tote bag painting table might be the start of a journey toward feeling seen, affirmed, and supported. We’re grateful to be part of that journey.

Words and images supplied by OutLine Aotearoa