Wellington is hosting a Rainbow Sport and Culture weekend from Friday 23 January. The weekend is an informal GLBT social weekend encouraging participation in both social and sporting events.
The event has been organized to coincide with Auckland Anniversary weekend, and organizers are hoping to attract people from across New Zealand. Martin Kaulback, one of the event co-ordinators, states that it is a “great opportunity to celebrate and promote GLBT sport, involvement, community and identity. Several organisations are running events during the weekend, including swimming, badminton, tennis, running, ten-pin bowling and same sex dancing while on the social side of the ledger we’ll be hosting a sports party and dinner.”
The Rainbow Sport and Culture weekend is partly inspired by Auckland’s successful bid to host the 4th Asia-Pacific Outgames in February 2016, and to “encourage the growth of the GBLT sport and culture community in New Zealand”. “Wellington’s rainbow community has a strong track record in hosting successful sporting and cultural events, including the 2nd Asia-Pacific Outgames in 2011,” Martin states.
The weekend is set to be packed full of sporting opportunities, with badminton, tennis, tenpin bowling, swimming, same-sex dancing and running events. There will also be a brunch and Rainbow dinner for “anyone in the GLBT sporting community, and beyond, to come together to celebrate diversity, community and celebration. There will be a brief awards ceremony as part of the dinner.”
There will also be a planning session to prepare for the Human Rights Conference that will take place as part of the Asia Pacific OutGames in 2016.
The organizers are encouraging people to get in touch about participating or volunteering for the weekend by emailing email info@rainbowweekend.co.nz. Prior experience or involvement with the sport is not necessary in order to volunteer.
The opening event will be a Meet and Greet at S&M’s on Friday 23 January. All are welcome, whether you are participating in other events or not.
Further information about the weekend is available at: www.rainboweweekend.co.nz.
Article | Sam Orchard
