Represent!
MP Jan Logie floated the idea of a Rainbow Ministry or high-level agency in 2019. Her claim is that we need representation at this level, in the same way other minorities have it to help ensure their voices are heard. It's election season, so these ideas are worth airing. On the surface it might seem like a good idea, but I’m not entirely convinced. In Auckland we have the Rainbow Advisory Panel, one of a number of Auckland Council Advisory Panels that are supposed to somehow view Council moves through an LGBTI+ lens and feed back how we might be affected. Or so I assume. Many queer people in Tāmaki Makaurau are unaware this panel exists. While I’m sure that the members of it are trying their best, the selection and appointment process seems somewhat opaque. Apparently you express interest in the role, attend a half day workshop, then get interviewed, and get appointed or not. Just who appoints and under what criteria is unclear, I couldn’t find the details on the website.
