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20th-23rd april wellington

DRAGON PATCH

Dragon – Dragons appear frequently in mythology and folklore. They are ginormous scaled creatures that breathe fire. Traditionally, dragons symbolise power and strength. Some varieties of dragon you may be familiar with are; Hungarian Horntail, Swedish Shortsnout, Chinese Fireball, and the Norwegian Ridgeback. Some, such as Toothless, are especially awesome. Don’t get these folks angry, or they’ll really heat up your toast!

PATCH LEADER CONNOR M.

I’m 22 and doing a Bachelor of arts, majoring in English literature (read: advanced reading and writing) at Vic uni and work a part time job so I don’t have to subsist on lentils and rice. In my spare time I do lots of stuff in the queer community, read stupidly long fantasy novels and play board games with my flat family. I’m a volunteer facilitator and member of the management team for School’s Out!, and until recently have been the coordinator for Tranzform. Sorry to sound so cliché, but I work with queer youth because I never had anything like School’s Out when I was growing up and it would have made life just that little bit easier if there had been someone to validate my own identity. I’m looking forward to everthing at PatchwerQ! I love hui so much and I wish they happened all the time!! I can’t wait to meet new people, hang out with old people, have fun times and great conversations.

J PATCH HAZZ

19, currently a victoria university student majoring in Media studies. I started going to schools out when I was 13 and it all kinda blossomed from there. Because of the amazing things schools out did for me, I would like to be apart of and to help other young people like myself. That and it’s heaps of fun alot of the time! I’m looking forward to getting to meet some cool new people and learning some new things that would help be have a better understand of what to do to help said young people PLUS having an awesome time.

MERFOLK PATCH

Merfolk appear in the folklore of many different cultures. You’ve probably heard the stories of them luring sailors to run into aground on the rocks. They are aquatic creatures with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish. They symbolise enchantment and passion. Sucks for the sailors. Watch out for this patch, don’t let them seduce you!

PATCH LEADER TARN

Hello! I’m Tarn, a 21 year old queer femme lady who spends her time studying design, obsessing over dresses and binge watching Disney songs on YouTube. I’m involved with queer community work through QSA Network Aotearoa, which is awesome cause you get to meet the coolest people and hang with Tabby. I’m super looking forwards to meeting everyone at this hui, you’re all the most exciting part!

J PATCH SCOTT

Hey, I’m Scott! I’m twenty years old and come from Wanganui. I’m currently a first year at Victoria University, where I’m majoring in history. In 2009 I started going to Closet Space Wanganui and participated last year in the youth advisory group for Youth Services Trust Wanganui, which was a cool experience. Having a safe place and caring people to talk about queer issues made my life so much better in high school so I want to help other young people in turn. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and learning heaps at the hui!

KRAKEN PATCH

Kraken are sea monsters originating in Norwegian folklore. They’re like a combination of octopus, squid and whale, only bigger. Need we say more? RELEASE THE KRAKEN! (cue thunder)

PATCH LEADER GRIZZ

Grizz is an 18 year-old student at Victoria University of Wellington where they study religion and english literature, among other things. After running the QSA at their high school for three years, they moved on to volunteering for School’s Out and helping to facilitate Tranzform in their spare time. They are running the spirituality workshop at PatchwerQ and are very excited to work with youth from all over the country. In their spare time Grizz enjoys long walks on the beach and writing about themselves in the third person.

J PATCH CONNOR MCL

Hey! My name is Connor and I’m 18. I am fairly new to being a part of QSA Network Aotearoa, but hopefully I can be of service to whoever might like it. I was at Hui Putahi here last year and learnt a lot! I went back to Nelson where I live and, especially since it was my first hui, raved about all the awesome people I met in Wellington and all the helpful things I learnt to help out however I could with Q‐Youth and Nayland’s Alliance of Queers and Straights which I lead with Kitty who you’ll all meet. I’m the youngest member of the Q‐Youth board, but have realised a younger perspective is often essential to running an organisation and activities and whatnot. Next year I’m hoping to live in Wellington and study a little psychology and sociology at Victoria, so Im hoping to gain some Wellington friends while I’m over (wink wink)! Also, I’m here to gain some more knowledge to help prepare the younger ones back in Nelson to do what I do, but hopefully even better. Not to mention the food last year was fantastic!!! I’m cisgender and use male pronouns and am a long‐term homosexual. I am a really understanding person and, although I can talk quite a bit at times, am mainly a person who likes to listen and quietly discuss things so please feel free to approach me whenever! (Though if I’ve just woken up it may be a good idea to share a coffee with me first!!)…

YETI PATCH

The Yeti is a mythical Himalayan creature. It is often portrayed as a wild, bear-like man. They may be shy, but would sometimes nurse sick, lost, explorers back to health. Some believe in the existence of the yeti, others are more skeptical about the idea of a great big snow monster. Does this patch exist or not? You decide.

PATCH LEADER KASSIE

I’m 23! I do queer youth work, lots of activist-y stuff, play addictive online games and work a boring day job to fund all these activities. I’m a facilitator, educator and training coordinator with School’s Out plus I help out with a variety of things within the queer community. I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess insiiiiiiiiiiiiiide. What are you looking forward to at the hui? EVERYTHING! Meeting awesome young people, being inspired, eating kai.

J PATCH GEORGIA

Hi, I’m Georgia, I’m 20 years old and I study English and Film at Vic Uni. I have a love/hate relationship with words and I spend far too much time trying not to write poetry when I should be doing other important things. I have been involved with Nelson’s Q-Youth for a few years now, and ran the Waimea College QSA in 2011. I’m looking forward to meeting all you cool people at the hui and helping to run a writing workshop!

PHOENIX PATCH

The Phoenix originates from Greek mythology. Phoenixes are hella old thanks to the fact that every time they die, they burst into flames and come back to life because they’re just that jazzy. They symbolise new beginnings as well as mind and spirit. These folks are flamin’ hot!

PATCH LEADER KHALI

Khali Meari Materoa Akuhata Philip-Barbara. Names bestoyed upon me from GREAT MAORI WARRIORS! Physically 22! Spiritually beyond years that can be measured! Always a child at heart. I create awesomeness'ss! I also work at Te Papa! I’m a first time groupie coz I’ve never found such a cool group to get involved with I’m looking forward to the next generation who will help me to take over the world with AWESOMENESS'SS.

J PATCH CHASE

Yo homies!! I’m seventeen years old. I spend my time on public transport, studying at Wellington High School, or coming up with excuses for why I look so weird. I attend School’s Out and wanna help more there in the future, as well as being apart of the Kapiti Cost Youth Council! I’m really hoping this hui is gonna be hella dope because we all put wicked levels of work into it. Yooooooooooooooo.