Sun 15 Mar 2009 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
Richard James Long-time volunteer Richard James is always keen to be of assistance with a wide variety of LGBT organisations. At the moment, he's a Trustee of the GABA Charitable Trust, a HEROic Gardens committee member, Trustee of the NZ AIDS Foundation, Advisor and Accountant for the Cariter Bereavement Charitable Trust, Accountant for Body Positive, and helped facilitate and organise Auckland's recent Pride '09 Festival and HERO party. Phew! We got to know Richard James a little better... GayNZ.com: We know you do a lot for the LGBT community - and sometimes it can be a thankless crowd. What keeps you going and volunteering? Richard James: I don't know exactly. I guess coming out late (30) my initial motivation was to give something back to the community. I didn't have to fight for my rights as a gay man, like so many of my friends did in the early 80's. What do you do for money - your 'real' job? I run a Financial If you could have one wish granted what would it be? World Peace A world without HIV/AIDS. Who are your LGBT heroes? Those who have gone before us to forge the way for gay rights in NZ. Brett Sheppard was a great inspiration. What's coming up in the near future for you? It's coming up to the end of the financial year so work wise I will be busy. Finished the HERO Party and Heroic Gardens, so looking to a hiatus from too much community work for a while. Do you know an LGBT community member who deserves to be in GayNZ.com's Hall of Fame? Let us know by emailing gaynz@woosh.co.nz. GayNZ.com - 15th March 2009