"When Gayline started 35 years ago the community
was very different" he says, " this was prior to law
reform or legal civil union, back then we were illegal
and people needed lots of support".
"Times have moved on and our community has
changed much in 35 years" says Neil, "we cater to a
much wider audience then we did at first". "Initially
gayline was set up by approximately 10 gay men
and operated for gay men, out of their homes and
became known as Auckland Gay and Lesbian
Welfare Group" said Mr. Denney. "In 2007 we
have grown so much as a community and for
some time we have catered to a wider cross
section then just gay and lesbian callers" he
said. "Over recent years we have taken calls
from the whole rainbow spectrum that makes
up our community and their families and
whanau" says Neil, "our focus has changed
and the name Outline NZ more clearly
represents that change of focus".
Mr. Denney says "for some time we have
taken calls from right around the country
via the 0800 HIV/AIDS hotline and on the
general counselling line. The calls come from
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
and those uncertain and wanting to talk" he said.
Outline is working closely with other sections of
the community to foster a sense of community and
cohesiveness. They have recently started working
with Genderbridge and answer their calls when
there is a shortage of Genderbridge volunteers. "The
calls are answered with the greeting ‘welcome to
the Genderbridge helpline’ so the caller still feels
connected, and Genderbridge still gets the kudos"
he says, "this relives the pressure on Genderbridge
volunteers". The phone is diverted to outline at
periods during the week and Genderbridge volunteers
are rostered to take calls throughout the week
too. In this model of working, Genderbridge and
Outline retain their autonomy and separate funding
streams, however they are able to make joint funding
submissions for the phone line. "With the ever
shrinking funding dollar, this bipartisan approach
is appreciated by funding agencies as they see a
reduction in service duplication and their dollar goes
further" said Neil Denney General Manager. "We are
keen to extend this model to other areas and are
investigating the right telephone equipment to do
this". We already take calls for all over the country in
locations where there is no GLTTB help line" he said.
"We are pleased to show our new logo designed by
Deon Hendrikz and it will soon be used in all of our
promotional material". Outline ran a community
competition to find a new logo and was staggered to
receive over 35 design entries. "Choosing the new
design was very difficult" said Neil today, "but we are
more than happy with the look and feel of the new
logo as move into the future". The winner was given
a weekend stay at the luxurious Umoya Lodge on the
Seabird Coast.
"Keep an eye out for details of our grand launch to
be held sometime in the near future" said Neil "it will
prove to be a wonderful event" he says
Outline is to conduct its first telephone counselling
course from 27 October and is seeking trainees for
the course to become telephone counsellors.
