The Nayland Alliance of Gays and Straights was established in 2002, making Nayland the first South Island school to establish a group for LGBT+ students. In 2020, the group – now named Pride – is still working hard to give students a place to feel supported and accepted.
Despite the group being established almost two decades ago, issues for LGBT+ youth are as present as ever. Homophobia and transphobia are far more excessive in the wider community than most of us would like to believe. The bullying and harassment that stems from this can have an awful impact on the mental health and well-being of LGBT+ students, and causes worry to the people who care about them.
鈥淧eople who aren鈥檛 LGBT+ don鈥檛 usually see it, because they aren鈥檛 us,鈥� Pride co-leader Mars said. 鈥淏ut for some people it鈥檚 everywhere, it鈥檚 all the time.鈥�
Research shows that LGBT+ people are at particularly high risk of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, suicide and self-harm, substance misuse and eating disorders. 鈥淭here鈥檚 many students that need support,鈥� school counsellor Suzi Keepa said. Because of this, LGBT+ focused groups such as Nayland Pride play an immeasurably valuable role in caring for our youth.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e having a rough time, it鈥檚 good to know there are places that can support you,鈥� Mars said.
Pride co-leader Laura initially joined the group in order to support her younger sister, who identifies as LGBT+. 鈥淲hen she comes home and she says stuff [about the bullying] that鈥檚 happened to her throughout the day, it鈥檚 so upsetting because you can鈥檛 do anything,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o I joined for her in a way.鈥�
In a world where ignorance and judgement can still be widely observed, Nayland Pride aims to make 国产麻豆精品 a better environment for all students, whether they fit a societal norm or not. Already in the works are same-sex inclusive health education, educational talks for teachers and an ever-growing group of students that are putting their voice forward to discuss positive changes Nayland can make. The group leaders find it encouraging to see that the school is properly open to progress.
鈥淸Mr Wilson] has been really supportive, he has experience in his past with people he loves and cares about being treated awfully just for who they are,鈥� Mars said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really good that he wants to support us. It can be very hard for allies to know what they can do, but he matches our enthusiasm,鈥� Laura added.
The group is slowly growing in numbers, and welcomes everyone – whether they鈥檙e LGBT+, allies, or respectful people looking to educate themselves. 鈥淭hings were very small last year, but this year we instantly had a boom, it was awesome,鈥� Mars said. Pride leaders highlight the fact that the quickest path to understanding from people who don鈥檛 personally identify is simply communication. 鈥淚f people don鈥檛 know things, that鈥檚 fine! Just tell us so we can tell you!鈥�
The more people who turn up, the more opinions and perspectives are added to the discussion, and ultimately better progress can be made. It also plays a huge part in allowing everyone to feel at ease. 鈥淚t lets people know that ya know, it鈥檚 okay. It says that you鈥檙e allowed to be you, and there are other people that are like you, and you鈥檙e not alone,鈥� Mars said.
Nayland Pride meets every Tuesday lunch in Room 14.
By Student Journalist Maya Jayasena
