Tuesday 7 March 2023 10:53am
University marketing adviser Trak Gray is the face behind the Mana takatāpui campaign, celebrating Otago's tauira takatāpui and rainbow students. Photo courtesy Rewa Pene.
A trail of Pride flags across the Dunedin campus leading followers on a rainbow journey of discovery will be but one of the visible elements of Pride month at the University, as a new campaign aims to raise awareness of takatāpui and rainbow identities at Otago.
The lead up to Dunedin Pride Month, celebrated in March, has been an exceptionally busy time for University marketing adviser Trak Gray, who has been working behind the scenes on a campaign, including flag trails and much more, to awhi Otago’s rainbow students.
Gray says, based on adult population figures, the conservative, evidence-based estimate of the number of LGBTTQIA+ students currently studying at Otago is about 1000 people, but they believe that number is probably much higher.
The campaign aims to create visibility for tauira takatāpui and rainbow students at Otago and promote Otago as a queer-affirming institution, says Gray.
Pride month presents an opportunity for the University to celebrate diversity across gender, sexuality, and sex characteristics, they say.
As part of the groundwork for Otago’s Mana takatāpui campaign, Gray looked at how it aligned with the guiding principles set out in Vision 2040.
“The campaign is our opportunity to bring the Pride kaupapa to Otago and Vision 2040 has provided a clear framework for us to do that.”
A campaign promoting visibility and awareness of our takatāpui and rainbow students is hugely impactful says Gray.
Students can expect to see messages celebrating tauira takatāpui and rainbow pride on posters and digital screens around campus and in social media.
Also visible will be 31 pride flags, spread across campus. Each of the flags will be numbered, and Gray hopes they encourage students to undertake a ‘scavenger hunt’ for the flags.
“This is a fun interpretation of the ‘Together we dare’ message, encouraging a sense of adventure and exploration in learning about different rainbow identities.”
Outside of work, Gray is a treasurer for Dunedin Pride.
They say they are heartened seeing the growing association with the University, citing the recent collaboration with the School of Pharmacy to organise a Rainbow Pharmacy Clinic and with OUSA for an Ori’23 Pride Night in February.
“Getting this positive messaging out, the affirmation of community, the visibility and awareness, is hugely important and impactful.
We want our students and their whānau to know that they are in an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and affirming. Mana takatāpui is another step in that direction.”
Rainbow community support resources:
- For students, OUSA provides excellent support, including a dedicated Queer Focused Advocate. Students can also access support through clubs like UniQ, ROMSA and PiLO.
- As a Rainbow Tick certified employer, the University of Otago is dedicated to being an inclusive and accepting workplace. Find out more here.
- Kōrero by Sandra French, Internal Communications Adviser