21 Dec 2019

Tabby Besley: Advocate for LGBTQIA+ students

From Saturday Morning, 11:17 am on 21 December 2019
Tabby Besley

Tabby Besley Photo: supplied

Society in general is more accepting of sexual and gender diversity but the fact that Rainbow students are five times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers shows there's still a long way to go.

Inspired by the support she received at her Nelson high school from a pioneering diversity group, Tabby Besley is working hard to improve the experience for LGBTQIA+ students while at school.

InsideOUT, the organisation she founded and directs is fighting back against a spectrum of exclusionary behaviour; from teasing to school uniforms, from bullying to bathrooms.

In 2015 she received a Young Leader Award from the Queen at Buckingham Palace and this week she made the shortlist for the Young New Zealander Of The Year award.

Where to get help:

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.