Why I’m Sweating with Pride

Can I say something personal before I turn this over to the boilerplate message? I've had a wild ride the past 18 months or so, ever since I tripped on campus last January and tore my right meniscus. 

Ever since then, it's become progressively more difficult to walk. And ever since then I've become more and more isolated. That is in part due to my injury, but it's also because I've removed a lot of toxic influences and people from my life in the time since. 

My energy is limited now. I have to be really careful and deliberate with how I plan out and spend my time. But everything I've gone through in the last 18 months has also made me more and more aware of the way our country and our systems have failed both the queer community and queer people as individuals. 

So I want to do what I can to help. I'm only setting my goal to 21 minutes a day because walking for much longer than that takes a lot out of me, and leaves my leg pretty sore. 

But something is better than nothing. And the idea of other vulnerable queer people having to go through any of the various nightmares I've experienced in the last 18 months dealing with corrupt and rotted institutes like ACC and WINZ makes me feel sick to my stomach. 

The world wasn't built for us. So we need to step back. We need to opt out. And we need to build a new world by and for ourselves, for our community. I can do a lot of that work on my own. But I'll be a hell of a lot stronger with some support 💕

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I'm taking on Sweat with Pride this June! 💦🌈

Right now, schools, workplaces, and even doctors’ offices aren’t safe for many in our community—and it’s putting lives at risk. LGBTQIA+ Kiwis face higher rates of mental illness, suicide, and STIs like syphilis, mpox, and HIV.

So, I'm fighting discrimination with perspiration—exercising 21 minutes every day in June to raise money for life-changing Rainbow support services.

This cause means the world to me, and I’d be SO grateful if you could offer literally anything to help me reach my goal. Every dollar makes a difference.

Thank you so much for your support.