Welcome to our next lunch event: Beyond the Binary at Work

Our next lunch event invites a panel of speakers from all over Aotearoa to share their insights on developing a welcoming and inclusive workplace for gender diverse people. 

• MahMah Timoteo (any pronouns with respect)
  MahMah is a Cook Island multidisciplinary teacher who recently completed their PhD exploring the lived experiences of Pacific peoples and their navigation of climate change spaces within Aotearoa. They are a proud member and advocate within the queer community which has led to roles such as a previous co-chair of Qtopia, a rainbow organisation in Ōtautahi, and a core member of Moana Vā, a Pacific rainbow organisation.

• Gala Baumfield, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāpuhi (she/they) 
  Gala was recognized as a trailblazer in YWCA Auckland’s Y25 leadership programme in 2021. They co-founded the magazine "Wowzers," which amplifies wāhine and queer stories of skateboarding and fosters connections. Gala discovered skateboarding at age one and has since become a leading NZ skateboarder, selected for the Olympic development squad in the past. By 13, they earned a black belt in Kyokushin Karate Family and friends are integral to Gala's skateboarding culture, and they are passionate about the well-being and thriving connections within their community.

• Pounamu Wharekawa, Ngai Te Rangi (they/them)
  Pounamu is an artist, illustrator and muralist. They make art that speaks about intersections of identity through the lens of a queer, small town turned urban turned small town again Māori living their best boring life back in the house they grew up in beautiful Whāingaroa.

• Samora Kake, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hau (she/her) 
  Samora is a multifaceted, bicultural, trans-femme beauty queen, community educator, navigator, and advocate for our Rainbow, Takatāpui & MVPFAFF+ rights. Her work spans the creative, public health, and youth sectors, as well as the art of storytelling evident throughout the vast Pacific. Formerly a Community Health Educator for ‘Auckland Sexual Health Services’ (Te Whatu Ora), she currently serves as the new Senior Services & Outreach Coordinator at the ‘Burnett Foundation Aotearoa’. Samora holds a Master of Social Work (Professional) Degree from the University of Auckland. She collaborated with photographer Edith Amituana’i to produce a portraiture series, exhibited for Pride Week 2022. Samora was the co-MC for Aotearoa’s biggest youth sector conference ‘INVOLVE’ last year and is an established icon within the growing ‘Aotearoa Ballroom Scene’. Proudly Samoan and Māori at heart, she brings her full authentic self into every space she enters.

As of June 2021, 4.4% of Aotearoa’s adult population identified as LGBT+ and 0.5% identified as transgender and non-binary. 5,500 people identified as a transgender man, 4,900 identified as a transgender woman, and 9,000 identified as non-binary.  

Transgender and non-binary employees often face barriers that affect their participation and engagement. Hiring discrimination, workplace bullying, bathroom access, privacy violations, appearance requirements, and others’ incorrect assumptions are all barriers that may be faced at work. 

Ensuring gender diverse employees are fairly treated and supporting their gender presentation shows an organisation’s commitment to every person’s dignity and human rights. All employees, regardless of gender, have a right to decent working conditions, workplace safety, and freedom from discrimination.

Illustrator: Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho

Join us to hear our speakers’ perspectives, experiences, and aspirations for workplaces, including: 

• What challenges do gender diverse people face at work? 

• How do organisations benefit from minimising assumptions about people and their gender? 

• What can people and organisations do to support gender diverse people?   

Please RSVP by Friday 9th August. There are spots for Members and Non-Members that can be booked using the two forms below.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to ensure your experience is more comfortable. Our contact email is kiaora@genderatwork.org.nz.

We look forward to seeing you there!