Lil Gay Out: Connecting with Rainbow Rangatahi Through Health, Wellbeing & Community
Village Collective was proud to attend Lil Gay Out, a vibrant youth-focused event celebrating Rainbow+ high school students from across Tāmaki Makaurau. The event provided a safe, affirming, and empowering space where rangatahi could celebrate their identities, build meaningful connections, and access support from organizations committed to their wellbeing.
At its heart, Lil Gay Out was about fostering belonging. It created an environment where young people could come together, connect with their peers, express themselves authentically, and engage with services that are inclusive, respectful, and responsive to their needs. The event highlighted the importance of creating spaces where Rainbow+ rangatahi feel seen, valued, and supported to thrive.
The day brought together hundreds of high school students from across Auckland, alongside educators, community organizations, and youth-focused services. Village Collective was proud to be among the organizations contributing to the event, engaging directly with more than 100 young people, teachers, and community representatives throughout the day. These interactions created valuable opportunities to build relationships, share information, and strengthen connections with the communities we serve.
Throughout the event, our team focused on promoting health and wellbeing through engaging, youth-friendly education. Using interactive games, resources, and activities, we facilitated conversations around topics including MMR awareness, puberty education, sexual and reproductive health, and overall wellbeing. By creating a fun and approachable learning environment, rangatahi were encouraged to ask questions, challenge, misconceptions, and explore health topics in a way that felt safe, inclusive, and age appropriate.
These conversations often extended beyond the activities themselves. For many young people, the opportunity to speak openly with trusted community health providers helped increase awareness of available services and reinforced that accessing healthcare should be a positive and affirming experience. By removing barriers and creating a judgement-free environment, the event allowed rangatahi to engage with important health information on their own terms.
One of the most significant outcomes of Village Collective’s participation was the opportunity to build trust with Rainbow+ rangatahi while strengthening relationships with schools, educators, and community partners who share a commitment to youth wellbeing. The positive engagement throughout the day reinforced the value of delivering health education within community settings where young people feel comfortable, connected, and empowered to participate.
Lil Gay Out demonstrated that health promotion is most effective when it is accessible, engaging, and grounded in meaningful relationships. By combining interactive learning with culturally responsive and youth-centered approaches, Village Collective helped increase knowledge, reduce stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health conversations, and promote equitable access to health information and services.
As we continue our work alongside Rainbow+ communities, events like Lil Gay Out remind us of the importance of meeting young people where they are, listening to their experiences, and creating opportunities for connection, learning, and growth.
When rangatahi feel safe to be themselves, they are more likely to ask questions, seek support, and build the confidence needed to make informed decisions about their wellbeing. Lil Gay Out was celebration of identity, community, and the collective responsibility we share in supporting the next generation to thrive. 🌈✨