Where to Go in Wellington

Out in the Square

Out in the Square is an annual event that has been running for 25 years. It is an all-day event for the whole family, featuring stalls, food, entertainment, and fun in the sun.

Out in the Square 2011 saw around 15,000 people throughout the day in Wellington's highly visible Civic Square.

The date for 2012's Fair has finally been confirmed: mark your calendars for Saturday 21 January (with a rain date of Sunday 22 January)!

Stall holder applications for 2012 are not yet open, but contact Out in the Square if you're interested. Applications to the general public will begin on 22 November, 2011.

Alcohol use in young both-sex attracted people

Research has demonstrated that young both-sex attracted people are more likely to report problematic alcohol use than young opposite-sex attracted and young same-sex attracted people in New Zealand. A research study based at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences will study alcohol-related harms, risk and protective factors and the social and physical environments of alcohol use in young both-sex attracted people.

The study will conduct focus groups in Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington. Focus group participants are being sought. To be eligible, participants need to be between 18 and 25 years old, be attracted to members of both sexes and reside in Auckland, Wellington or Dunedin. Participation in a focus group will take between 60 and 90min of your time.

The information that participants will contribute to the research study will aid the development of strategies and interventions to reduce alcohol related harm in young both-sex attracted people in New Zealand.

If you have any questions regarding the project or would like to participate in the study, please contact:

This project has been reviewed and approved by the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee. Reference: 11/189

Creating Our Stories

The beginnings of a queer toolkit

PrideNZ.com is calling for local LGBTI communities to get involved in an exciting new media project called "Creating Our Stories".

The project, which is being funded through the legacy fund of the 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames, will develop audio and written "how to" resources around researching, capturing, organizing and preserving stories from a queer perspective.

"We are currently seeking people who would like to have some input or involvement' says project organiser Gareth Watkins. "If you have expertise in any of these areas and would like to share your knowledge, or if you have ideas about what should be in this type of educational toolkit we would love to hear from you."

The project will focus on four areas:

• Research: Ideas and tips for queer study. For example types of institutions you can approach, things to look for when uncovering hidden pasts.
• Capture: How to capture good recordings - basic oral history practices, cultural considerations, technology.
• Organise: Principles behind event management - practicalities, sponsorship and marketing for events and exhibitions.
• Archive: Ideas for creating and maintaining an organization's or personal archive, caring for digital archives.

For each area an audio podcast will be created highlighting various techniques and putting forward practical tips. From these podcasts, key points will be identified and shaped into "how to" resource sheets.

"We see this project as the starting point for a community toolkit that will enable queer communities to better capture their stories for future generations" says Watkins.

The toolkit will be made freely available on the not-for-profit website PrideNZ.com and be deposited with an archive.

If you would like to be involved - either offering your knowledge - or suggesting ideas about what should be included please contact PrideNZ.com before the end of January 2012.

GAY CULTURE PROJECT

Rainbow Wellington Chair Tony Simpson, wearing his hat as a writer of social history, is embarking on a gay project and is looking for volunteers. Basically what he is doing is building up an archive of the various dimensions of the life of the gay community from about 1960 to 1986 (and a little bit beyond).

This unique life style and culture is now disappearing post decriminalisation, and exists largely only in the recollection of those who took part in it. It needs and deserves to be preserved. Material he collects will be deposited in the Oral History Archive of the Alexander Turnbull Library, and is prospectively the subject of a book. He will also be interviewing in Auckland and Christchurch. He has developed a standard interview schedule and would like to hear from those who would like to assist. The contributions can be anonymous if that's what people prefer. You can email him on sugarbags@xtra.co.nz or ring him on 04 384 3180 to talk to him about it and to arrange an interview session if the idea appeals. He's keen to hear from people accordingly.

Club Ivy

Wellington's gay bar and nightclub

Ladies Night every Wednesday from 9pm - 2am. $5 house spirits, lots of Tegan and Sara played loudly.

(S&M's) Scotty and Mal's Cocktail Bar and Lounge

Pool table, Karaoke Nights, weekly gay events.

The Fringe Bar

Comedy and karaoke. Gay friendly all night bar open until 6am weekdays; 8.30am Saturdays, Sundays. Karaoke daily from 9pm

Wellington DANSSNZ

Wellington Dance Same Sex New Zealand

Same sex dancing. All ages. Learn the basics of some of the classical ballroom to the energetic Latin American type dances, no partners required. You need just a positive attitude that you can dance too.

Frontrunners Wellington

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender social running group - any age or ability welcome.

Meets Sundays 9am at the Freyberg Pool.

GalaXies Christian Congregation

Services and Meetings

Click here to find out more about GalaXies on our Religion page

Click here to go to the GalaXies web site

Gay and Bisexual Dads

Click here for more.

Gay Gardening Group

The Gay Gardening Group (or 3 G’s for short) got underway on Sunday 13 November with a BBQ at Otari. After the BBQ all went back to Des and John’s to enjoy their wonderful garden, and then raided it for suitable cuttings.

If you have questions about the 3G’s, or want to know more, contact Greg on (04) 473 6344 or Des on (04) 479 6310.

GOTH - Gays of the Hutt

Gay men's social group. Meets in Hutt Valley 2nd Saturday of the month.
Pot Luck dinners 7.30pm - 11pm

Kapiti Gay Radio

A 30 minute gay slot on Coast Access Radio on the Kapiti Coast, at 104.9 FM.

Once a month, usually on the third Sunday afternoon at 3 pm, and repeated on Tuesday at 9 pm and Thursday at 5 pm.

Lesbian Community Radio Programme

Wellington Access Radio 783AM

Paid advertising available

A programme that provides something of interest for all lesbians - includes music, interviews, political analysis and community notices.

Queer Tango Wellington

A queer perspective is one that allows and encourages fluid and changing gender roles, images and identities. Queer tango breaks the rigid gender roles of the tango world. It's a home for same sex dance partners, women who like to lead, men who like to follow, and anyone else interested in new ways of experiencing the roles of the dance, like swapping the lead. Classes are in the nuevo tango style and everyone is encouraged to take turns leading and following as we learn new steps. Above all, queer tango is inclusive, which means that people are welcome to dance tango in any role they want, including the traditional ones.

Nuevo tango is particularly well suited to the queer practice of swapping the lead during the dance, but like all Argentine tango, it's about connection and learning to listen to another person with your body. As the leader interprets the music (dancing to the rhythm or melody as they wish), the attentive follower is ready to go in any direction at every moment, so the dancing couple is able to move as one, although every step is improvised.

You do not need to bring a partner, previous dance experience, or rhythm.

We encourage gender complexity and exploration. Everyone is welcome. Tango has no age limit

Queers Gone Kiwi

Social Group for queer immigrants and their friends. GLBTI, Kiwi, Migrant, Straight. All are welcome.

Rainbow Wellington

Rainbow Wellington Drinks

Rainbow Wellington AGM

Click here to find out more about Rainbow Wellington

Volunteer Evening at the Awhina Centre

Every Wednesday evening 5.30 - 7.30pm at the Awhina Centre. At present we are making red ribbons for World AIDS Day. The participants from the Wednesday evening expressed their interest in ending the evening with a modest meal and a drink.

For more information phone the Centre at (04) 381 6640.

Click here to find out how to contact Wairarapa Rural Blokes and find out more about the events.