What is the Queer Alliance?

What is the Queer-friendly Alliance?
Queer-friendly Alliance (QA) is an organisation which tries to make it easier for people to find and take part in queer-friendly groups and events. We believe that there are many groups in Canterbury that are openly queer-friendly, but unfortunately it can be very difficult to identify them. We try to solve that problem. We also work collaboratively to help create a community that is fully inclusive of people who identify as queer.

What do you mean by ‘queer’ and ‘queer-friendly’?

Queer
We use 'queer' as an umbrella term for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual (LGBT). Though debate remains in LGBT communities over the use of this word we believe that it is an inclusive and positive term. It also fits well with the aims and purpose of our organisation.

Queer-friendly
We define 'queer-friendly' as "openly accepting of people who identify as gay, bi-sexual, lesbian, intersex or transgender". This does not mean that non-heterosexual identities are quietly tolerated within affiliated organisations; it means that they are welcomed. In turn, it does not mean that groups affiliated with us must cater exclusively for queer people. Currently less that a third of the groups involved have a queer focus. Building an inclusive community is something which involves and is of benefit to everyone.

What are the Queer-friendly Alliance’s aims?

· To make queer-inclusive spaces visible.

· To actively help to build a community which fully includes people who identify as queer.

How will the Queer-friendly Alliance realise those aims?

Aim One – we will make inclusive spaces visible by:

· Identifying and promoting queer-friendly groups and events.

· Maintaining an online resource through which people can find information about queer-friendly groups and events.

Aim Two – we will actively help to build a community which fully includes people who identify as queer by:

· Making queer identities and issues visible by being active in the community.

· Supporting groups and individuals that share our vision.

· Bringing together and coordinating queer-friendly groups in the community.

· Opening a dialogue with parts of the community that are not queer-friendly

So how does it all work?

QA operates in two ways:

As a service provider.
In terms of service provision, QA operates almost exclusively out of the website (http://queeralliance.blogspot.com). The website contains a ‘gig guide’ of queer-friendly events happening in the community and a directory of queer-friendly organisations affiliated with QA. This service allows those who are looking for queer-friendly groups and events to easily find information about them, as well as easily promoting those groups and events on behalf of the organisers. Affiliated groups send information about themselves or upcoming events to our coordinator who then puts that information online. It is a tool for open-minded people, queer or not, who are looking for groups which make a point of trying to be inclusive and free of discrimination.

As an Advocate/Organiser/Facilitator.
This side of QA’s operation is currently in development. When in operation we will serve as a visible body of support for queer identities and rights. In particular we will support the right to full participation in events and organisations irrespective of one's sexuality. We will participate in community events and work closely with other like-minded groups. The emphasis here is on visibility. We want people (both non-queer and queer) to be aware that there are many diverse groups that support and embrace queer identities, that those groups are working together for the benefit of the entire community, that being queer is not abnormal and most importantly that discrimination is unacceptable.

We will be holding community-building events. For example, in 2005 we established the annual “Queer-friendly Alliance Charity Soccer Match" at the University Canterbury. Each year members of QA affiliated groups form a team and challenge a conservative club on campus to a friendly game of soccer. This event was an opportunity to be visible on campus, celebrate diversity and bring together two different groups all while raising money for charity. The emphasis of the game is fun and community, not conflict. 2005’s game was played against Student Life (an international conservative Christian organisation which has a branch at UC) and raised $170 for Make Poverty History.

Last updated 5/9/06