Ara Taiohi

Coffee snob, queer science fiction fan, advocate for trans and gender diverse people, soft goth, Pākehā of mostly Scottish descent, enjoys misty rain and discussions about depathologising sex/gender/sexuality.

The kaupapa that drives my practice as an advocate and educator is centred on self-determination and the importance of spaciousness. I want flexibility and responsiveness from youth providers – especially health services – so that the young person is always respected as the expert on their own experience.

I want to live in a world where our queer and trans young people are respected and appreciated for the skills and perspectives that they have, which are so needed in this context of colonisation and neoliberal state government. I have so much faith in our Rainbow young people and I believe if we remove the barriers within our health and education systems they will lead us in the dismantling and transformation of these systems.