LGBTTQIAP+ Political Forum - Part 2

This abstract summarizes a recording of the LGBTTQIAP+ (Rainbow) Political Forum held at Eva Beva in Wellington on July 26, 2020, as the second part of an event. Key participants included Ayesha Verrall, Jan Logie, Jessica Hammond, Nicola Willis, Troy Mihaka, and Vivian Lyngdoh, who addressed various issues pertinent to the Rainbow community within the political context of the 2020s decade.

The discussion opened with a focus on the ban on conversion therapy. Participants advocated for governmental action to prohibit such practices, acknowledging the abhorrent nature of conversion therapy and the harm it inflicts on the community. The dialogue underscored the need for a comprehensive government bill rather than reliance on a member's bill and rejected the arguments that such a ban would infringe upon religious freedoms or free speech. Highlighted was the existing Labour member's bill which, if supported by an elected Labour government, would be transformed into a government bill to eradicate conversion therapy.

Another significant subject considered was making educational institutions safer for Rainbow youths. The panel emphasized the imperative of providing a bullying-free and supportive environment for students to freely express their identities. Some candidates shared personal experiences from their school days, stressing the importance of inclusivity and mental health support in schools. There was also a discussion of the Rainbow Well-being Legacy Fund, an initiative led by Grant Robertson, and the recognized need for more financial and policy support for organizations like Rainbow Youth and Inside Out.

The conversation then shifted to the 2020 budget cuts impacting Rainbow communities. Panelists voiced concerns over the decrease in funding, and the consequent impact on the already stretched volunteer-led organizations that support the community. Suggestions for remedying this included increasing direct support for these organizations, possibly through a universal basic income.

The forum also touched on domestic and sexual violence within Rainbow communities, with an acknowledgment of the higher statistic of such violence compared to the general population. Panelists underlined the importance of creating accessible resources and support systems for victims, the role of mental health policies in addressing domestic violence, and the commitment to continued work on prevention and support initiatives.

Lastly, discussions turned towards the treatment of intersex individuals, with participants advocating for legislation to ban non-essential surgeries on underage minors, thereby safeguarding their rights. This included support for developing training modules for health professionals to improve care for intersex individuals and recognize intersex as a natural state of being.

The recording concluded with 15 minutes of open questions from the audience, addressing various concerns, including support for the Rainbow youth, the advancement of disability-inclusive policies, issues of systemic bias in the police force, and legislative actions addressing hate speech and racism. Each candidate offered their perspectives and affirmed their commitment to advancing inclusive policies relevant to the Rainbow community.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Ayesha Verrall Jan Logie Jessica Hammond Nicola Willis Troy Mihaka Vivian Lyngdoh

2020s, ayesha verrall, eva beva, general election, jan logie, jessica hammond, nicola willis, troy mihaka, vivian lyngdoh

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