LGBTIAQ+

Takatāpui

For some people, who you like and how you identify is not a big deal. For others this can be something you think a lot about and you may not be sure what to do or where to go to find out more. This page includes important info about identifying as LGBTIAQ+/Rainbow at HPSS. If you are keen to learn more about the LGBTIAQ+ community and/or sexual orientation, keep reading too!

LGBTIAQ+ at HPSS

HPSS Rainbow Group

Keen to meet others who identify as LGBTIAQ? Questioning? Want to have some fun, connect and get support from those who identify as part of the rainbow community in a safe, welcoming environment?

Then come and join us in INDIA every Friday at lunchtime. Group activities include:

LGBTIAQ+ quizzes
Rainbow themed films
Discussions on LGBTIAQ+ issues
Sharing music, apps, games, with rainbow themes
Or you can just come along and hang out

If you have any questions about the HPSS Rainbow Group, contact Vic here.

Lil Gay Out: Auckland Schools Rainbow Festival

Want to join us for the Lil Gay Out: Auckland Schools Rainbow Festival 2025?

Lil Gay Out is a fabulous day of celebration, connection and learning for those students who identify as part of Auckland's Rainbow community. Look our for signup opportunities in Term 2.

Gender Neutral toilets at HPSS

It is super important that everyone has a toilet that they feel safe enough to use when at school - the school day can feel very long without having somewhere to 'go' right?! At HPSS all of our toilets are individual cubicles so you are welcome to use the gendered toilet of your choice.

Most of our toilets are separated into Male and Female toilet blocks but as not everyone identifies as male or female, we also have a gender neutral toilet block halfway down the student corridor. Look out for the Gender Neutral sign on the door.

Changing my name/gender at school

It is important that HPSS feels like a safe and welcoming place for all students. To help make this happen, some students choose to change their name and/or pronouns here at school. There are a number of ways we can do this - and they do not always have to include informing whanau of these changes if this does not feel like a safe option for you. If you would like to explore a name or gender change at school, please get in touch with Vic in Te Ara Manaaki and she can talk you through this process and action any changes you decide you would like to make.

Gendered sports at HPSS

When organising community sport and sport within HPSS, we try hard to make sure teams are not separated by gender. Instead, Hub Coaches and staff are encouraged to use other ways to divide students into teams - eg: students are numbered off, students who wear socks and those who don't, etc. Sport outside of school can be a little trickier due to rules and regulations around inter-school events. If there is a sport you want to play but are not sure how this might work for you regarding gender, get in touch with Rosie, our fabulous sports coordinator who can help you out. The counselling team can support you with this too.

EOTC/camps

Any Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) including camps include options for those students who identify as gender diverse, non-binary, gender fluid and/or trans. This includes sleeping arrangements and toilet and shower facilities. If we are aware that you do not identify as cisgendered, those staff organising the trip will have a chat with you prior to departure to find out what fits for you. If you have concerns about any trips out of school around gender and facilities and you would prefer not to talk with your Hub Coach or teacher organising the trip, please get in touch with Vic in Te Ara Manaaki prior to leaving for the trip.

Bringing my partner to the ball/ social

Wondering if you can bring your same-gender/non-cisgendered partner to the HPSS ball? The short answer to this question is YES, definitely! There may be a process you need to follow to get permission to bring a student who does not go to HPSS as your partner to the ball. This is the same process that all students go through regardless of their own gender identity/sexual orientation or the gender identity/sexual orientation of their partner. We welcome people of all genders and sexual orientations to join you as your partner at both the Senior ball and any socials, provided guests are permitted.

A brief intro to the LGBTIAQ+/Rainbow community

What does LGBTIAQ+ stand for?

The acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Queer, and the + includes anyone else who identifies as not-exclusively heterosexual or cisgender. Some people prefer to use the umbrella term Rainbow or Queer to encompass all sexual and gender identities that are not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender.

What do all these words mean?

There are lot of terms that might be new to you if you are exploring the Rainbow community for the first time. Don't be too worried about this. If someone uses a term you don't know the meaning of, you can just ask them. They are usually happy to explain. If you want to learn more of the terminology, this list of terms created by InsideOUT is a great starting point.

What's with all the flags?

There are nearly 30 flags associated with the Rainbow Community. The first Pride flag, and the one most commonly used was created in 1978 by Gilbert Baker. It has been revamped a number of times, most recently in 2019 to be more inclusive of queer people of colour and trans people. Flags are used by people in the Rainbow community as a form of representation and celebration. Check out more Pride flags here.

Sex assigned at birth

When people use the terms sex assigned at birth, they are referring to "our physical body. For instance, our genitals, or our level of hormones. Generally when we’re born, the doctor will write a sex on your birth certificate based on these characteristics" (source: minus18.org). Sex assigned at birth includes male, female and intersex (a person's body does not fit the typical definition of male or female).

Sexuality

Sexuality or sexual orientation includes a lot of factors. One of these is who you are attracted to. This is not always black and white - you might like people of the same gender, of different genders, all genders, of trans genders, of cisgender, and/or you might not like anyone at all. Who you like can change often. Check out Rainbow Youth's Sexuality101 for more info about sexuality/sexual orientation.

Gender

Gender is a term used to describe how you feel you identify in terms of masculine, feminine, non-binary, gender fluid, gender diverse - there are many terms that you can use. Gender also includes cisgender (your gender identity matches your biological sex) and transgender (your gender identity does not match your biological sex). Have a look at Rainbow Youth's Gender101 to learn more.

What do I call myself?

The first response to this is - call yourself by your name! You don't have to take on any labels, words or pronouns to describe yourself if you don't want to. If you are interested in exploring the many many words that people use to describe the way they identify in terms of gender and/or sexuality/sexual orientation, check out Rainbow Youth, Inside Out and OUTLine - these are all New Zealand organisations that offer info and support to the Rainbow community. Each of these sites includes a glossary of terms. While you are there, explore these sites as they include a lot more too.

Pronouns

You will remember from your primary school English lessons that pronouns are used to refer to either the person talking (I, you) or someone that is being talked about (she, he, it, them). You can’t always know what someone’s pronouns are by looking at them. Asking and correctly using someone’s pronouns is one of the most basic ways to show your respect for their gender identity. If you get someone's pronouns wrong, apologise, correct yourself and move on. People may change their pronouns often. Regularly checking in with people about their current pronouns can be a great way to make sure you are referring to them respectfully.

Should I tell anyone else?

This is a big question. There is no pressure for you to tell anyone what is going on for you unless this is something you want to do. If you do decide you want to share (sometimes called coming out), the next thing to think about is when and how you might do this. Are there people in your life that you might like to tell first? Who do you think will be good support for you when you start sharing how you want to identify? You can find some great tips here. Feel free to make an appointment with the HPSS counsellors to talk about this further too.

Where to get support

The HPSS counselling team is your first port of call for support. You can email us to set up an appointment. We would love to support you to explore what is going on for you in terms of gender/sexuality and what this might mean for you. We can also advocate for you at school and help you to share what you would like to share with the people you wish to share it with. Come along to the Rainbow Group at lunchtimes on Fridays in India, to get some help and support from other students too.

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