The newly formed Rainbow Youth Collective was officially launched in Adelaide at a social gathering at the activist centre on September 7. The event also marked Wear It Purple Day — a national youth day against homophobia.
About 50 young people from a variety of backgrounds attended throughout the evening.
The launch provided an excellent opportunity for networking between people involved in different queer groups in Adelaide with a rich variety of interests, contacts and specialty areas.
Various organisations and individuals have expressed interest in working collaboratively with the Rainbow Youth Collective including SHINE SA (South Australia’s peak sexual health agency), the Queer Straight Alliance (a support group for Christian Youth), and young activists involved in progressive theatre, university leadership and queer youth organising.
Two high school women spoke at the launch about the importance of the collective. They linked the need for the group with shocking statistics of homophobic bullying and youth suicide.
The event doubled as a fundraiser for the collective. Money raised through donations, a raffle and selling food will be put into funding resources and campaigns.