Sweating for Pride
Source: Sweat for Pride.
June is International Pride Month. To celebrate, the Burnett Foundation is encouraging us to get sweaty.
Sweat with Pride is an annual fundraiser helping to provide crucial services to Rainbow and Takatāpui communities.
Similar to Movember and Dry July, Sweat with Pride started in 2020 as an incentive to move your body for 21 minutes every day in June to raise money for the Rainbow community.
Mickey Power, Head of Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising at Burnett, said, “We knew there were some funding gaps for these crucial services for our communities, and wanted to find a way to bridge that gap.”
Sweat with Pride is a way for allies, workplaces, and schools to celebrate Pride month while doing something good for our Rainbow and Takatāpui whānau, and our own hauora.
“We saw the opportunity to create a safe, joyful space where our community could unite and improve their wellbeing while raising money for life-changing support services,” said Power.
20% of LGBTIQ+ youth have attempted suicide, and with the recent rise in anti-Rainbow sentiments and hate directed towards trans, non-binary, Māori, Pasifika, and migrant whānau – Sweat with Pride is especially important this year.
Power explained that the serious inequities in Rainbow health demonstrate how essential funding is to help LGBTQ+ communities.
Another benefit is that engaging in movement every day in June does wonders for well-being. It’s a win-win.
“It’s a really fun way to do something good for yourself and our Rainbow and Takatāpui communities at the same time,” said Power.
“You can uplift your health while supporting the health of thousands of Rainbow kiwis across the county. Seeing communities, allies, and workplaces get involved shows Rainbow people that you care and support us.”
Source: Burnett Foundation.
A lack of motivation is combaatted by trainers Björn Ready, Greta Moveon, Vera Strong, and Wanda Farr to help keep “Sweaty Bettys” (fundraisers) inspired and perspiring through June.
The money raised by getting sweaty will help fund the Burnett Foundation, RainbowYOUTH, OutLine, and InsideOUT Kōaro to provide essential physical, mental, and sexual health services.
Examples of these services include:
Free counselling services for Rainbow people struggling
Free support groups to help people feel more connected with themselves and their community
Advocacy and research for a better health system so Rainbow people get the help they need when they need it
Free 0800 support line for Rainbow people who need to speak with someone
Free education in schools to ensure they are a safe, inclusive and accessible place for young people
Free health care training to ensure that Rainbow people are well cared for
Free housing support for Rainbow people experiencing housing insecurity
Ella Sargison is an annual Sweat with Pride participant who gets involved because “It's fun!”
“It's a great way for me to commit to my exercise goals and also support my community,” said Sargison.
“I love the idea of someone queer seeing Sweat with Pride and thinking, 'wow there are so many people out there that want to celebrate my community and people like me’,” said Sargison, who now works for the Burnett Foundation.
“There are a lot of people in our Rainbow and Takatāpui communities that don't get the support they need,” said Sarginson.
With so much happening with transgender and non-binary rights at the moment, Sweat with Pride is a chance to be an active ally.
Unfortunately, Sweat with Pride is tracking below last year’s participant rate. “We need help more than ever before,” said Power.
Exercise is the core of the campaign to get together, check in on your friends, get moving, and feel motivated to get out of that winter slump, explained Sarginson. This movement then helps the mental health of someone who needs support from Burnett’s services.
Along with doing your 21 minutes of sweating, there are many ways to celebrate Pride Month this June.
Sarginson suggests:
Supporting your local LGBTQIA+ youth groups
Celebrating Schools’ Pride Week
Talking at university or at your workplace about pronouns
Or supporting cool local queer artists!
This initiative is about representation, being an ally, and working out with pride that you are sweating for cause! So go get sweaty for Pride this month!