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Stories

Stevens story

“Well, my coming out story is a little bit different, I can’t divulge all the details but here goes.
I am in the Armed Forces and I came out a bit later, when I was 22. I kind of always knew that I was “different” during school. …”

Andrews story

I suppose I have subconsciously ‘known’ I was gay since I was about 14, 15. However being the son of a fundamentalist Catholic and a real ‘bloke’ of a Dad, well suffice to say it wasn’t too good on my head….

Aunties story

When I first heard the words “Im gay” I think I stopped breathing for about 2 minutes …

Julies story

Seven years ago, when i was thirteen, i finally managed to piece things together, and i came to the conclusion that i should have been a girl …

What we mean when we say queer

A reclaimed word that represents sexuality and gender diversity. We use it to encompass lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, fa'afafine, and takataapui identities, as well as everyone in between and not sure. This word is used by many people, but it is also appreciated that it is not the preferred term for everybody.


What we mean when we say trans*

Rainbow Youth uses the word 'trans*' as an umbrella term for gender-diverse people, including for example; whakawahine, tangata ira tane, FtM, MtF, transsexual, fa'afafine, transgender, whakawahine, transmen, transwomen, akava'ine, leiti, genderqueer and gender-neutral people.