Schools' Pride was held across the country despite increasing anti-Rainbow sentiment. Image by Tim Bieler on Unsplash
<h2><span data-contrast="auto">Over 200 schools celebrated Schools’ Pride week at the beginning of June despite safety concerns leading to the cancellation of Little Gay Out this year. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Schools’ Pride week is an annual event organised by youth-led Rainbow charity InsideOUT. This will be its fifth year in operation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For 2025, events held by the over 200 participating schools included quizzes, rainbow bake sales, mufti days and bracelet making.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Read the latest print edition of <em>School News</em> online HERE.</b></a></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Schools’ Pride organiser and media teacher at Macleans College, Jerome Cargill, says it&#8217;s an important event for fostering belonging and understanding. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“This group is at risk of high levels of bullying and high levels of discrimination so it’s really important we set aside time to send a message to everyone in the school that we value this community, and everyone belongs here,” said Cargill. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">One Year 11 student at Macleans College said it was a good way for students to participate “casually” in the queer community. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Just having people around me that I know support me makes me feel that joy in my queerness and my identity. And I really value that, it just makes me feel safe.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Tabby Besley, Managing Director of InsideOUT said Schools’ Pride was aimed at combatting rising anti-Rainbow sentiment in New Zealand. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“We are seeing first-hand how this kind of negativity affects young people’s wellbeing, especially as it seeps into schools. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Rainbow rangatahi deserve to feel safe, supported, and that they belong in their schools and communities.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Schools’ Pride Week website says the event is a “strengths-based approach to combating rainbow-focused school bullying and discrimination.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Rainbow people are a normal part of society. We belong. That is why it is so important for rainbow tamariki and rangatahi (or those with rainbow parents and whānau) to see themselves reflected at school – so they know they are OK, and can thrive, shine and grow freely.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">School specific Schools’ Pride Week events can be run by students, enabling leadership and advocacy opportunities for Rainbow communities and their allies.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_15456" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15456" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-medium wp-image-15456" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AdobeStock_286752415-300x205.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="205" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-15456" class="wp-caption-text">© Мария Ежова &#8211; stock.adobe.com</figcaption></figure>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Little Gay Out is usually hosted by Hobsonville Point Secondary School as part of Schools’ Pride week and is attended by hundreds of students annually. However, it was cancelled this year due to safety concerns sparked by anti-Rainbow organisations. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Year 11 from Macleans’ College said “when I heard that Little Gay Out was cancelled I did feel a little less comfortable. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Just the fact they were planning to invade a space like that, which I thought would be really safe.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For more about Schools’ Pride Week, visit their website </span><a href="https://pride.school.nz/" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">here</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>

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