Abstract
Donovan
, Amy. (2004). Power and pride in numbers: An evaluation of the Rainbow Youth social support groups, GQ and ID. Unpublished Master of Social Science Thesis. Hamilton: University of Waikato.
The aim of the evaluation was to generate information about the Rainbow Youth social support groups, Generation Queer (GQ) and Identity (ID). The research was undertaken in a collaborative manner with Rainbow Youth, and gathered information from a number of sources pertaining to how GQ and ID have functioned in the past, and are presently functioning. The objective of the evaluation was to provide feedback and recommendations that would assist Rainbow Youth in making informed decisions about the groups. This would hopefully contribute to the development of the groups and ensure that they are as inclusive and beneficial to as many of Auckland’s queer youth as possible.
Focus groups were held with attendees’ from each of the social support groups’, in-depth interviews were conducted with past and present facilitators and a postal questionnaire was distributed to past attendees. This data collection resulted in a comprehensive range of qualitative feedback about the social support groups, from three different perspectives.
Two prominent themes emerged from this evaluation. The first was the significant value the young people involved in this research associated with GQ and ID. These support groups were seen as locations where young people could have their identities affirmed, make friends and socialise, gain entry to a community, and importantly, be themselves in a safe and supportive environment. The second theme was how successfully the groups were functioning. Rainbow Youth has been investing a significant amount of time and energy into the social support groups and this was reflected by comments made over the course of the two-year evaluation.
The findings of this evaluation offer an insight into GQ and ID. It was found that the groups’ were functioning at a high standard. Consequently, the following recommendations predominantly suggest turning current practice into policy. Ideally the recommendations will provide Rainbow Youth with ideas and discussion points to further the development of their social support groups.
Recommendations
I recommend that:
• The skills and attributes identified by the research participants are condensed to provide an overview of what is required from someone undertaking the position of facilitator.
• The practice of facilitators’, or long-term group members, meeting with new attendees’ prior to the meeting and making follow-up phone calls is turned into policy.
• Training workshops and supervision for facilitators are initiated and maintained.
• A set of group rules which are decided and agreed upon by current members at GQ and ID, are created and regularly reviewed.
• Rainbow Youth social support group meetings and associated events are smoke and alcohol free.
• Rainbow Youth explores mainstream advertising mediums as a means to promote GQ and ID.
• The creation of formal policies and processes to facilitate the efficient resolution of harassment complaints.
• The ID meeting on a Sunday is reassessed, given the limited public transport available on this day.
• Consultation with relevant Māori, Pacific Islanders and disabled queer community members occurs to identify potential barriers for these young people accessing GQ and ID.
• The Rainbow Youth office is attended as often as possible.
• The continued promotion of email as a viable way to contact Rainbow Youth and GQ and ID.
• The dissemination of regular newsletters and information becomes an important role of the facilitator’s position.
• Rainbow Youth continues the development of social support groups outside of central Auckland.
• Discussion occurs on whether café/bar venues are the most appropriate location for GQ and ID meetings.
• Discussion occurs on whether Board meetings are the most appropriate location for addressing GQ and ID issues.
• The groups each have a male and female facilitator.
• GQ and ID occasionally has a set topic for conversation as well as additional information sessions on relevant issues.
• New facilitators have the opportunity to meet with the other groups’ facilitators’ upon taking on the role and during.
• A group’s coordinator position is established, responsible for advertising, training, liasing and being the groups’ representative on the Board.
• Book borrowing to attendees is promoted and the Board contributes to increasing the library collection.
• Ongoing evaluation is incorporated into the social support groups to monitor areas such as accessibility and functioning.
This evaluation is the first comprehensive evaluation involving queer youth social support groups within Aotearoa/New Zealand. As a consequence, there is interest from other social support groups around the country. Although this evaluation may highlight issues of relevance to these groups, care needs to be taken when extrapolating these finding’s as they may be inappropriate to transfer to other queer youth group settings. |
Community Psychology