Massey opens its first rainbow room on the Manawatū campus

A rainbow rep says “it’s about time” we get a dedicated space for queer students at Massey.  

Massey opened its first ever dedicated space for rainbow students on Thursday at the Manawatū campus.  

The room is run by the student association, Te Tira Ahu Pae, and is in room 2.21 on the top floor of the student offices with a space and balcony to chill.  

Manawatū rainbow rep Katrina Anderson helped get the rainbow room off the drawing board. 

“Similar initiatives have already occurred across several other tertiary institutions in Aotearoa, so it's about time we have something like this happening at Massey”. 

She said comments had been made that Massey simply does not do enough for the rainbow community, but this was a good step in the right direction.  

She said a safe space for rainbow and takatāpui students shows they “absolutely belong at Massey”. 

“A shift towards greater inclusivity is now occurring, although the university definitely still has further to go”.  

She said many students may not have a living situation which allows them to be openly queer, particularly for rangatahi, so having a constant physical space available on campus meant there was always somewhere for them to belong. 

Queer students and allied friends are welcome to come use the space to socialize, study, or simply relax in a place which allows them to express and explore their identity without fear of judgement or exclusion. 

Connor McLeod, Massey diversity and inclusion advisor, said rainbow and takatāpui people experience greater feelings of mental distress due in large part to social isolation and disconnection.  

“Having a physical space to increase the sense of belonging our people have to the campus is a really positive step forward.” 

McLeod acknowledged past comments about diversity at Massey, “While some argue, correctly, that the entire university should be safe for and inclusive of rainbow and takatāpui students, we know that we have a lot more work to do until that becomes a reality.”  

The space will also be used to hold queer events and club meetings. 

“Having a dedicated space means that the wider Massey community must take seriously the concerns and aspirations of rainbow and takatāpui students.” 

The rainbow social platform run by Mcleod, Kāhui Irarau, had delivered a small budget to spruce up the room and get some kai for the opening event.  

Campus Co-Lab on the Albany campus is currently in the middle of a project investigation to open a similar room.  

There are currently no plans for the Wellington campus, however the student association and Massey are interested to learn from other rainbow room projects.  

If you’re interested in getting something off the ground for LGBTQIA+ people at Massey or providing feedback, you can reach out at rainbow@massey.ac.nz or rainbowrep.pn@tetiraahupae.ac.nz