The Rainbow Games Outreach Programme focuses on ensuring that barriers faced by potential LGBTQI+ participants of the Rainbow Games 2024 can be overcome. Barriers include financial difficulties, discrimination and/or marginalisation in the country they reside. At this point, countries include Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands (Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia).
This contributes to the games’ vision to enhance social inclusion for our communities and especially important for potential participants from countries which are not accepting of LGBTQI+ identities. Equally, our communities in Aotearoa New Zealand can learn and grow from meeting and playing with Rainbow people’s from around Oceania.
Our vision is to create a future where rainbow communities are empowered and fully included insports and recreation. By participating in the Rainbow Games events, we envision a society that embraces and supports the diverse identities and expressions of our communities, where all individuals feel safe, accepted, and valued. We strive to build vibrant and inclusive events that promotes diversity, equity, and wellbeing, and contributes to a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive future.
This is at the heart of our approach to sports and recreation for rainbow communities. We believe everyone in the rainbow community deserves to feel a sense of belonging, acceptance, and inclusion in sports and recreation activities.
We strive to create an environment where individuals can find their own turangawaewae, a place where they can be themselves, feel safe, supported, and experience a sense of belonging without judgment or exclusion. We recognise the importance of creating welcoming spaces where all individuals, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or diverse identities, can participate in sports and recreation. We aim to build a supportive and empowering community that celebrates the unique identities and contributions ofall individuals within the rainbow community.
We believe that every individual should have the autonomy and agency to participate in sports and recreation in a way that aligns with their unique identity, expression, and needs. We aim to promote manamotuhake and support individuals in their journey towards self-acceptance, self-expression, and holistic wellbeing, fostering a sense of ownership, pride, and empowerment to express themselves authentically. We recognise that diversity within the rainbow communities is a strength, and we respect, protect and celebrate the unique identities, experiences, and abilities of all individuals.
Our commitment to hauora is reflected in our dedication to promote and support the physical wellbeing and health of rainbow individuals through inclusive and empowering sports and recreation events. We recognise that a healthy body is an essential foundation for overall wellbeing, and we aim to facilitate an environment where rainbow individuals can thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through our events. In doing so we can empower individuals to enhance and promote a positive relationship with their bodies.
We promote a culture of care, empathy, and kindness in all interactions, acknowledging and honouring their unique identities, expressions, and experiences. We aim to foster a sense of inclusion, providing support and resources that promote and affirm the dignity of all involved.
Through our events, we seek to remove barriers of discrimination or marginalisation faced by the rainbow communities, where individuals feel encouraged, supported, and cared for as they pursue their passions and interest in sports and recreation alongside allies and peers.
To be eligible to apply for the Outreach Program Rainbow people must:
· Identify as queer or LGBTQI or gender or sexuality-diverse.
· Be planning to play in a current competition of the Rainbow Games 2024 in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.
· Come from a country or area in Oceania only whose laws or social attitudes disadvantage or marginalise members of therainbow communities.
· Are suffering financial or social hardship.
· Have values which align with the values of the Rainbow Games 2024.
Legal entities may make application on behalf of individuals. These entities include incorporated societies, registered companies, and trusts.
Applications not meeting any of these criteria will be declined for funding on eligibility grounds.
Applications must be received by 12 noon on Friday 16 February 2024. Applications should be completed either electronically or physically (and scanned) to outreach@rainbowgames.co.nz . Applicants will be informed on or before 23 February 2024.
Funding will be put toward the participant costs who can demonstrate alignment with the outcomes of the outreach programme.
Fund Objectives
The Rainbow Games 24 Outreach Programme supports potential participants, (both individuals and teams), by helping create opportunities for disadvantaged and/or marginalised Rainbow people to attend and compete in the event. We can do this by:
· Funding full or partial registration fees for a chosen sport for an individual, team or partial team
· Funding travel, transport and accommodation costs for an individual, team or partial team
· Funding respite or care costs for dependents of participants, either playing individual or team sports
· Funding sports equipment, uniforms or other miscellaneous kit
· Support legacy activities arising fromRainbow people’s participation in the event and potential to play in subsequent games.
The Outreach Programme is limited to on-site support in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as travel to and from the event, including all related formalities. Money is not paid directly to participants but will be paid for the services required.
As the funds for the Outreach Programme are limited, a selection process based on clear criteria defined below will be used. Unfortunately, not all applicants can be supported, and the following criteria will be applied:
· The applicant is from a region or country whose laws or social mores disadvantage or marginalise Rainbow people and communities.
· The applicant faces significant hardship and can evidence that they need financial assistance to attend and participate.
· The applicant identifies with a queer identity or group which is underrepresented or excluded in relation to other Rainbow individuals, groups or communities.
. The applicant can evidence that inclusion in sport at the games will enhance their sense of socialinclusion and benefit their mental and physical well-being.
· Entities or organisations
· People aged under 18 years of age at the start date of the event
· People outside of the geographic area indicated in the below Oceania map
Complete the application form at this link. Email through to outreach@rainbowgames.co.nz by16 February 2024.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact outreach@rainbowgames.co.nz
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Registrations close 4 March 2024
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