Summarised by Centrist

Hobsonville Point Secondary School in Auckland has cancelled its annual Pride event, Lil Gay Out, citing “the possibility of outside protesters” and concerns for safety. 

Principal Kirsty Dowding told the NZ Herald that the school remains committed to inclusion and diversity, but that “our key role is in educating our students in a safe, happy and healthy environment.” She said the decision was made because the potential risk was not “in the interests of our students, staff, visitors and community.”

Police confirmed they had met with the school to discuss safety plans, but that it was the school’s call to cancel.

Lil Gay Out had been scheduled for June and is usually attended by hundreds of Auckland high schoolers. The event is aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ themes to school-aged children through workshops on sex education, mental health, and gender identity.

Government-funded rainbow charity InsideOut claims events like these “support young people to be proud of who they are.”

One anonymous student reportedly told The NZ Herald they were “angry” over the cancellation.  

Read more over at The NZ Herald

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