Enabling our students to be their best selves

Therefore, we were disappointed to learn that the 2025 Lil Gay Out at Hobsonville Point Secondary School was cancelled last week due to the threat of protest and disruption by some community groups.

The forced cancellation of Lil Gay Out was shocking and upsetting to many teachers around the motu. We empathise with all those students and kaiako who were looking forward to this event and who would have found it of immense value.

As kaiako, we take seriously our responsibilities to ensure schools, and school events, are safe places for all students. Schools must be places where rangatahi can thrive, places where they can grow into being their best selves, places where they can be who they genuinely are.

Intimidation and threats of violence towards the LGBTQ+ community have no place in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025 – and this is especially true when it comes to intimidation and threats of violence towards young people. 

Everyone who believes this needs to stand beside, and show up for, our LGBTQ+ friends, family and fellow New Zealanders. We all need to work together to ensure that these events, which are crucial sources of inspiration and validation for LGBTQ+ students, can take place safely. Communities united will never be defeated.