“I don’t want to live in the kind of world where we don’t look out for each other. Not just the people who are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand. I can’t change the way anybody else thinks or what they choose to do, but I can do my bit.”
While most teenagers are busy trying to get their own lives in order, Brittany is “doing her bit” by running an LGBT+ group. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bi, transsexual, and the + is for those who identify themselves in some other way). So many and varied are the different terms people use to identify themselves, they’ve called themselves A-Z to ensure they cover the lot. A-Z at WSC.
Being involved in such a group is not something most little kids grow up aiming to do, but Brittany recognised the need for young people to have support and education during what can be, for some, a difficult time in their lives.
Brittany explains: “I come from a very open family, many of whom are lgbt+, so I felt like I was in a position to help people younger than myself. I saw what a great group they had going on at Takapuna High School, so I’ve trained as a PSSP (peer sexual support person) at school, which means I help educate students about things like attitudes and conduct specific to lgbt+ teens, things which they probably wouldn’t learn anywhere else." I certainly never learned anything like this at school.
“The group’s about 30 strong, and growing. We started in May, and we meet every Tuesday and work to create a safe space for students to come in and ask questions they can’t ask their parents or teachers, and get honest, educated answers. We have a ‘no teachers’ rule to protect the identity of students who may not be out. The teachers are very supportive, often contributing information or interesting articles.
“One thing missing from the lgbt+ community is knowledge of our history and the people who fought for the level of equality we have now. So we have guest speakers or students who do talks on historical gay figures or relevant issues. In future we’re hoping to have things like gay movie events and underage club nights, and they’ll be open to everyone.
“We also like to highlight positive things going on in the community to keep everyone’s spirits up.”
That’s more important than it sounds. For young people who may be struggling with their identify to have somewhere where they can talk, laugh and be themselves is crucial. Might it even save lives?
”I wouldn’t go that far,” said Brittany, “but at the same time, you never know what people are going through. Suicide rates in gay teens are so high so I think every bit helps. Even if someone becomes more comfortable with who they are, they may go on to help someone else and spread the positivity we try to project. Long term we want this to become a common thing in other schools.”
The project hasn’t been completely without opposition.
“Some teachers were concerned that we may be teaching some students things they weren't ready for, like safe sex and proper condom and dental dam use. But we’re really conscious of that and tell people what we're going to talk about. We do it all in an educational way.”
Clearly Brittany cares a great deal about her calling, but she has another passion - art.
Her school subjects are all art based - painting, photography, art history, English literature and classical studies. She hopes to carry that on to Elam Art School next year, and further down the track convert her love of art into a career as an artist, a teacher or in an art gallery.
“My favourite artist is Francis Bacon,” says Brittany. “The way he tries to represent the figure as the essence of the person rather than a realistic representation of form really inspires me and is similar to what I'm trying to do with my art.”
And, in a way, with her work with her LGBT+ friends. (BILLY HARRIS)