Nelsonians is what Nelsonians call people from Nelson…..! I have lived here for a couple of years now but don’t think I have been admitted to the “Nelsonian” club yet. I think you had to come on a particular ship or waka and I just came over on the Interislander.
But since I have been here, I have become very involved with a group of young people called Q-Youth (short for Queer Youth). I have become their patron(ess?) and chair their Board. It all came out of the now famous Nayland Alliance of Gays and Straights (NAGS) at Nayland College, which some years ago made a conscious effort to support its uncertain, enquiring and definitely gay young people. Having taught a boy once in the 1980s who was clearly gay but who left school and within 2 years had committed suicide, I resolved, on hearing of his death, always to support young people wrestling with their sexuality. These young people in Nelson have gathered lots of supportive straights around them (school counsellors, parents, youth workers, etc) to broaden the support base available to them.
Anyway, the brave bit. I recently hung out with these kids as we dragged ourselves around the Saxton Sports Ground as part of the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser. They had decided to do it as a group. 2 of the young men turned up in drag. They got blisters from walking around and around the track in high heels. But that’s not the brave bit. The brave bit was turning up in drag. These boys will probably end up being trannies of one sort or another but I hope they will be able to be themselves, whatever that turns out to be – and be themselves safely, with dignity and self-respect. They turned heads, words were muttered behind hands, looks cast and even some photos taken. The courage it took for me to walk alongside them was nothing compared with their bravery in insisting on being themselves.
That’s great and yes really brave of them to do that.
Yes – I agree. Well worth doing, Maryan. Good on you.
Speechless. Most astonishing post I’ve seen on this site to date.
why so Dylan?
I guess, alot of us say we have nothing against gay people, and that people need to be themselves and if they want to be a Tranny that’s up to them, but I think not even 10% of those same people would do what Maryans done. Hell I’ve long called myself a Socialist and would say people are born equal no matter what gender, race or creed, but I’ve gotta throw my hands up to Maryan and say that I’m all talk there and that she’s really walked the walk.
I dunno if that makes any sense but as I said I’m speechless. I got nothing against Gays at all but I could never walk beside one like that. Maryan has gone far beyond me and others just saying, homosexuality is alright. It’s incredibly respectful.
“I got nothing against Gays at all but I could never walk beside one like that.”
Whaaat? I suggest you rethink that one… you probably walk beside gay people every day without realising it. They don’t carry signs – and it’s not catching either! It must have been uplifting to witness so much dignity, bravery and self-respect among young people, Maryan.
even trannies can wear sneakers
Dylan, your honesty is not only refreshing, it’s endearing.
I think you are right, many people would say they believe in gay rights but when push comes to shove they would not so publically stand beside a transvestite (especially men) for fear of being made gay by association), including some gay people.
AJ – I don’t take Dylan to be expressing anything as extreme as your interpretation upon him.
I think that the following will be a good contribution for readers here. To live life as a free individual, whatever the individual chooses to do or to be.
Cue Card Libertarianism — Individualism
@AJ
Maryan walked beside a gay who was dressed as a tranny in front of a crowd of people. It wasn’t just walking beside a gay.
I think the high heels were overdoing it, women do know how to dress appropriately for an occasion and sneakers go with a skirt as well as with trousers! (I do get a bit annoyed when drag means not dressing like a woman but like a stereotype or parody of one). But well done to all concerned
Glad to see NAGS is doing so well. Some of my friends at Waimea started WAGS last year so I hope they’ll continue with that. It’s truly sad when young people in their situation feel so isolated like that, so hats off to those people who activley try to make them accept who they are and love themselves for it.
Thanks for your lovely comments folks.
@ Dylan – thanks. I found your comments honest and receptive. Open. Good. I know you will get out more and perhaps even discover a secret life in one of your best friends – who knows? But you will be more likely to be ready for it.
@ Cnr Joe and Dorothy – lol! Yes, trannies can wear sneakers and they did after a while.
And Cal is right – in the Nelson Bays and Marlborough region, NAGS (Nayland [College] Alliance of Gays and Straights) has been replicated with MAGS (Motueka), WAGS (Waimea), GALS (Girls’ [College] Alliance of Lesbians and Straights) and we are waiting on BAGS (Boys’ College) to be formed.
Lots more brave young Nelsonians either coming out or sticking up for their friends who are coming out.