Indian Origin Pride New Zealand - RWLF 2021 grantee
Indian Origin Pride New Zealand (IOPNZ) were awarded funding through the 2021 round of the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund towards establishing their organisation to support rainbow people of Indian origin. You can read more about their organisation below.
Indian Origin Pride New Zealand (IOPNZ) was born to lead the way for LGBTQIA++ Indians and their families in Aotearoa New Zealand so they can be proud of their identity. IOPNZ works with Indian community leaders and organisations to ensure the community is inclusive of diversity and is safe for Indians who are part of the rainbow community.
It’s tough being a minority within a minority – like many in Aotearoa New Zealand who are Indian and part of the rainbow community. This often leads to people having to make a choice between their sexuality or their ethnic/cultural community.
Recognising this and to seek support from Indian community leaders, Indian Origin Pride was formed. Its purpose has been to celebrate Indians with a connection to Wellington who identify as part of the rainbow community.
A small group of Indian Kiwis with lived experience in the rainbow community got together to develop a nation-wide organisation and form the Board. By being visible at rainbow community events, IOPNZ will lead the way for LGBTQIA++ Indians so they can be proud of their identity.
Members of IOPNZ during their strategy day
What did you apply to the RWLF for?
IOPNZ applied for funding to cover the cost of meetings for a strategy, engagement and development workshop, and an engagement platform (website) for sharing information to raise awareness of the issues faced by members of the rainbow community and build capacity within the Indian community.
You can view the newly created IPONZ website here.
Board members of IOPNZ on stage at the organisation’s launch in Parliament (May 2022)
What did you hope to achieve with the funding?
The outcomes from the funding were to launch the organisation and have an active website for the community. In particular, the support from RWLF enabled the organisation to develop its constitution, a strategy document and become a legal entity and a registered charity.
The funding also enabled IOPNZ to be launched during the Pride 2022 season, share blogs and lived experience stories about rainbow Indians.
Activities, outcomes and key performance indicators
Activity: Launch of IOPNZ
Outcomes:
IOPNZ mentioned in newsletters issues by supporting organisations (Indian Association etc)
IOPNZ newsletter published
Website launched
IOPNZ is recognised and supported by the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, Diversity and Inclusion
Key performance indicators for the success of the project:
IOPNZ becomes a registered entity
IOPNZ will have a constitution and strategy document
IOPNZ website is live
Increase in website traffic and digital engagement
IOPNZ runs a series of activities for 2022 Pride month
IOPNZ participates in pride activities in Wellington and Auckland (and other regions as opportunities arise)
IOPNZ is included in the relevant stakeholder engagement activities undertaken by the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, Diversity and Inclusion.
