The Waikato region's LGBT communities will get loud and proud on Community Radio Hamilton with new Access radio show Flat Out Pride at 11.30am each Friday. The show's launch on 23 November comes just in time to find out all the news and gossip on Hamilton's first annual Pride Week in the first week of December. Show hosts Geoff Rua'ine and Jaxin Gilmor promise to 'camp it up' every week, though they plan to educate as well as entertain. "We want to support our community by giving it a face in the media – to get safe sex messages across, and to communicate with a wider audience," explains Jaxin. Originally from Thames, Jaxin has always had an interest in broadcasting, and has been 'out there' in any way he could since high school as an advocate for gay youth. "Coming out at 14 years old in a small town, I have had to deal with it all. I am really lucky to have a supportive family." Co-host Geoff Rua'ine is also active in local gay issues, as a health promoter for the NZ AIDS Foundation. Community Radio Hamilton's general manager Phil Grey welcomes the latest addition to the station's diverse lineup. "The GLBTT community is strong in Hamilton, but often below the radar,” he believes. "If this show can strengthen the community, or educate friends and family and the wider community about gay issues, then we've served our purpose as an Access station." The Waikato's only Access station, Community Radio Hamilton (106.7FM in Hamilton City, 1206AM Waikato-wide) presents 100 radio shows every week 'by, for, and about' the community, covering a wide range of interests including youth, health and disability issues, and ethnic affairs. All of Community Radio Hamilton's 150 broadcasters are volunteers. Flat Out Pride will also be available to hear live and on-demand from Community Radio Hamilton's website at the link below, and on GayNZ.com's podcast page each week.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 21st November 2007 - 1:35pm