Nexus '22 | Issue 11 | Yeah, it's Queer by Nexus Magazine

A DIFFERENT SORT OF

STUDENT BAR MEMBERSHIPS FROM JUST

$10.95

P/W

STUDENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE WITH 12 MONTH, 6 MONTH AND FLEXI-TERM CONTRACTS.

David Bennett List MP based in Hamilton East 510 Grey Street, Hamilton East 3216 davidbennettmp@parliament.govt.nz davidbennett.national.org.nz 07 834 3407

Authorised by David Bennett MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Straight-up premium burgers in your neighbourhood ~ simple & fast. Come say hello: 372 Grey Street, Hamilton East

Nā Te Ētita

Pass the Aux

News

Columns

Goodbye, Mr Gillette!

Mahitoi

Whakapapa Takatāpuitanga

Entertainment

Libbie and their Umbrella Full of Queers

Snapped

16 17

Whelmed

Soapbox

35 36

Cover + Centerfold: @hannah.huggan

Horoscopes

Contents Image: @hannah.huggan Nexus Media Experience facebook.com/nexusnz

Puzzles

@nexusmag

@nexusmedia_nz

社论 / NĀ TE ĒTITA

Mum, dad, I think I might be straight. I know that after years of me identifying as gay, this may come as a shock and it’ll be difficult for the family to recover from the news, but it’s something I need to say and get out there. Please understand that this wasn’t an easy thing to come to grips with, though I need to live my truth and be my authentic self. I like girls… but maybe also guys? So I’m straight… maybe? Here’s the thing with sexuality and the spectrum it sits on, there’s no right or wrong answer to who you are, very much like an episode of Degrassi (is that still relevant?). When it comes to my own identity and who I am, I can’t quite pinpoint where it is that I sit on the queer spectrum. For the past 10 years (fucking christ) I’ve identified as gay, that qualifier being the easiest explaination for some of my more feminine traits. But the issue is, sensitivity sometimes is confused with femininity. The idea that for someone to feel emotions and be in touch with their feelings, they’re inherently feminine. Say feminine one more time. My sexual identity has been the subject of so many debates and arguments, with outside voices feeling as though they want to have a say on who I am and who I may potentially love. “But you’re kind of camp though, I love having a gay friend”. This has never been something that’s

bothered me; it’s just never sat right with me with all my failings as a gay man in the LGBTQIA+ community. I play up the fem, allowing myself to be that friend for girls and not let them feel uncomfortable. I play up the fem, letting people laugh as I say dumb quotes from Rupaul’s Drag Race. I don’t even like Drag Race that much, it’s bitchy and competitive for no reason. Saying things like ‘slay’ and ‘work’ just come with the territory. It’s natural to want to mask, to fit in, and you find yourself using your ability to switch as a weapon (or a shield). I’ve, over time, raised the pitch of my voice to combat my 6’2'' stature and rugby build, of which I do play I’d like to add. I don’t want to intimidate, so maybe being gay seems like the easiest way of making me approachable. But I don’t only like guys. I’ve always thought that I had to like guys as a requirement thanks to my more heightened personality traits, but in all honesty, I find it hard to connect with men in a sexual and/or romantic setting. Well definitely not to the same degree as a woman as it just comes natural. But I’ve dated men, and I’ve been involved with men. Was it a passing fad, or just me wanting to be curi? So now I’m… not sure. The answer to my life problems surrounding sexuality haven’t been answered, but I’m not bothered at all. Whatever happens, happens. Leshgo.

NEXUS

TEAM Ētita Jak Rāta etita@nexusmag.co.nz Deputy Editor Features Tehana De Klerk tehana@nexusmag.co.nz Deputy Editor News Jared Ipsen jared@nexusmag.co.nz Designer Wenyue Ruan - 阮文悦 wenyue@nexusmag.co.nz Advertising & Communication James Raffan comms@wsu.org.nz Contributors Benjamin Doyle Caitlin Walters-Freke Chelsea James Chloe Smith Dave Snell Eilidh Huggan Hannah Huggan Hannah Petuha Hayley James Joseph Riwaka Katrina Jones Keira McGregor Lara Dashfield Lily Bradley Nikki Van Dijk Sarah Morcom Simon Winship Stien Huizenga Tys Paterson Seamus Lohrey Sven Seddon Zian Volkov YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

WIHIRI NIUHI / 新闻

Last Wiki This Wiki Jared Ipsen (He/Him) I’d just like to use this introduction paragraph to let you all know that I am not a journalist - I am simply a fuckwit with internet access and a couple of pages in Aotearoa’s best student magazine. Will I give you well researched, impartial stories about things that may affect you? No, probably not. Will I put my bias aside and report on the things that really matter? No, absolutely not. Here’s a summary of some of the news I read last week tho:

Australia’s Labor Party have won last week’s Federal Election for the first time in almost a decade. While Labor did gain a few seats over the Liberal and National Party coalition, a bunch of independent / Green Party members winning long-held, traditionally conservative seats paved the way for Labor leader Anthony Albanese to take the throne last week. Political commentators attribute the so-called ‘teal independents’ and Green Party’s successes to the public’s frustration with climate change inaction, after years of extreme weather events finally convinced people that climate change is real. Many have been overjoyed to see the back of exiting Prime Minister Scott Morrison - perhaps none more than French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who described ScoMo as ‘unequivocally incompetent.’ Bye!

N.11 / V. 55

New Zealand’s Labour Party have released their budget for 2022. In an incredibly boring, four hour long meeting of Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister / Minister of Finance Grant Robinson announced a package that includes $1b towards the cost of living crisis, over $11b in healthcare, a couple billion on climate and education, and around $500m for Māori and Pacific initiatives. The announcement was followed by National leader Chris Luxon and ACT leader David Seymour yelling about how much they thought it sucked, which just goes to show how incredibly intelligent they must be to be able to process and understand a complicated budget immediately after they first heard about it. It’s also looking like students will be getting a lump sum of $350 some time soon, which I feel is more of a handout to landlords and supermarkets, rather than something that is actually going to meaningfully help students. We also covered the budget live on our Instagram- you can check out the highlights at @nexusmedia_nz

新闻 / WIHIRI NIUHI

NEXUS

A freak tornado has damaged up to 50 homes in the town of Levin. Around 6:30am last last Friday, the tornado tore through the Horowhenua district and saw roofs lifted off houses, powerlines and trees ripped out of the ground, and a subsequent gas leak causing nearby SH1 to close. In addition to the tornado, Metservice reported 12,000 lightning strikes over the course of the morning, and a hail storm in nearby Ōhau was so powerful it caused dents in resident’s cars. The Horowhenua District Council reports that around 250 volunteers helped out over the weekend with clean up efforts, and so far, seven houses have been rendered uninhabitable - although that probably still wouldn’t stop Lodge from trying to rent them out for $700 a week. Scientists predict that with global temperatures rising due to climate change, weather events will be more extreme and happen more often.

10,000 health workers across the country walked off the job last week as part of a strike for ‘fair pay and conditions.’ At the moment, many of our most crucial hospital and healthcare workers are being paid just over the minimum wage - much less than any middle-manager at Waikato DHB, and certainly much less than they deserve for keeping people alive. It has been an incredibly rough few years for our healthcare workers on the frontline dealing with COVID-19, and the Public Service Association believes that now is the best time to push for change before DHBs around the country get absorbed in to new entity HealthNZ on July 1st. After declining a ‘completely inadequate’ pay offer from DHBs, the PSA union is now ‘calling for negotiations to be handed over to HealthNZ… as we have lost confidence in the Ministry of Health.’ Who hasn’t, tbh.

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

WIHIRI NIUHI / 新闻

Small Town Short News Jared Ipsen (He/Him) Sometimes, small town Waikato is full of quaint stories of beloved sheep going missing, bonfires made out of human shit, and illegal raw milk sales - other times, the best thing that happens is the Putāruru over 60s team wins the bowls tournament. What do you want me to do? I’m doing my best out here.

Powerco has backed down from plans to run power lines through Pokaiwhenua Stream and Duxfield Reserve. Over 1600 residents signed the petition to prevent six 20 metre electricity poles running through the popular Putāruru swimming hole, which would provide a backup connection to the national power grid for over 10,000 south Waikato homes. Locals claimed that an extra $6m spend on the $43m project was the only thing preventing Powerco from running the power lines underground, which the electricity distribution company were initially unwilling to do as overhead poles are more ‘cost-effective.’ Petition organiser Lesley Fitzgerald told Stuff that they ‘have gained some good concessions, but not all we set out to achieve,’ as Powerco now plans to build the giant poles directly beside the reserve instead.

Waikato’s battle against koi carp rages on as authorities plead for residents to nark out sites where the pest fish congregate. Koi carp, which are known for the prolific damage they do to our waterways, were almost single-handedly introduced to Aotearoa by the late ‘eco-terrorist’ Stewart Smith, who smuggled thousands of them in from the UK over the 1900s. Last week, the Waikato Freshwater Society urged locals to report sites where koi carp have been spotted in an effort to remove them before spring. This initiative is backed by DoC, who have received almost a milli in funding for their four year koi-killing project.

Lastly, for those who are following the story, Bob the Sheep is still missing from his Kihikihi property. 8

N.11 / V. 55

The coastal town of Matatā has been forced to retreat inland to prevent ‘high loss of life’ caused by extreme weather events. The area has been identified as being at risk from torrential downpours, after a flood in 2005 kind of fucked the whole town up with debris destroying 27 homes. Whakatane District Council has been purchasing properties inside of the ‘risk zone,’ but some residents have been pushing back, claiming the Council isn’t offering them enough money, or simply just wanting to stay on their doomed properties. Environmental consultancy agency Tonkin and Taylor predicts that there is a 63% chance that the town will flood again within the next century. Climate change rules!

The ‘gentle, sweet and handsome’ young lamb has been missing for weeks after he mysteriously broke out of his paddock, and has yet to return to his loving whānau. Owner Megan Corin describes the situation as ‘so heartbreaking,’ saying there hasn’t been any word of him from residents in the area. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, and here at Nexus we hope that he’s just chewing on some grass somewhere or whatever it is that sheep do.

NEXUS

KUPU WHAKAATU / 特辑

I have exciting news, folks: I have decided to stop shaving my legs. I haven’t necessarily made this choice out of some huge feminist epiphany; it’s more the fact that I just can’t be bothered doing it anymore. The awkward positions in the shower, the little head unclipping itself from the razor spontaneously, the getting cold because I turned the shower off to save water, which then leads to goosebumps on my legs, which then leads to a higher chance of accidentally cutting myself. Not to mention all the money I end up spending on those stupid pink taxxed women’s razors. Having smooth legs is nice, but it just doesn’t seem worth it to me.

With my legs being hairy again, I’m reminded of the first time I shaved. I was eleven or twelve and my mum told me that I should start off my leg-shaving journey right, and get them waxed. To this day, I have no idea why she thought that was a good idea. But I trusted her to make proper womanly decisions for me, so I said okay. I didn’t really see this as a big deal, but when I was telling my best friend about it, and my childhood crush walked past us and gave me a look, I realised: this was one of those woman things that you keep private. For a while after that, I didn’t talk to boys about my legs. I kept them shaved (after that first traumatic waxing appointment) and pretended that I had just been born with hairless legs. I struggled to keep up with expectations, all while learning about feminism and the unfair expectations that were on me, but not on men. I choose to shave, I’d tell people. Feminism is all about choice, and I choose to shave. I like shaving! It’s so nice to be hairless, and that is my personal, unmanipulated choice. But I don’t know if this was really true. It’s easy to tell off the rude boy at school who commented on your day five legs; it’s also easy to go home at the end of that day and shave, and tell yourself you were planning on doing it today anyway. 10 N.11 / V. 55

I’m not saying you can’t be a feminist with smooth legs. Of course you can. But before you make that choice, it’s best to think through why exactly you want to do that. Let's look at a bit of history. According to ModeratelyFoxy on Tumblr.com, shaving companies started selling to women because they needed to make money while the men were off at war. This is not true. Do not use Tumblr as a source. However, shaving companies did have a sneaky part in why women shave today, and I think it’s safe to say money was a motivator. The man making this money was King Camp Gillette. Women started shaving their armpits in 1915, just over 100 years ago. Before this, no one really cared about our body hair, because it was always hidden along with the rest of our body. Showing skin wasn’t really socially acceptable yet. But in the early 1900’s, women began to rid themselves of all the layers that they were expected to wear, and were now wearing sleeveless dresses that made the world aware of the fact that yes, women grew armpit hair. Women had freed themselves of one expectation, and Gillette was there to capitalise on that by creating a new expectation to replace it. One step forward and two steps back, am I right ladies? In 1915, Gillette introduced the Milady Décolleté razor, with advertisements

特辑 / KUPU WHAKAATU

that claimed that ‘the underarm must be as smooth as the face’ and that to be without embarrassment, a lady must shave her pits. ‘It’s off because it’s out’! Leg shaving took a little longer to become popular, as women figured it was easier to just wear stockings. But eventually, because of war rationing, stockings became harder to get, and so Gillette got his way. According to the author of Plucked: A History of Hair Removal, Rebecca M. Herzig, ‘Gillette was very canny about increasing consumption of his products, and targeting women was one part of that strategy’. I’m certainly not the first to break the trend. In Herzig’s book, she writes about ‘arm-pit feminists’ in the women’s lib movement, and an essay written in 1972 by Harriet Lyons and Rebecca Rosenblatt. Lyons and Rosenblatt wrote about an ‘emerging feminist consiousness’ that would counter these expectations that women shave their pits and legs. Herzig writes that hair removal was declared by Lyons and Rosenblatt to be ‘one more measure of the drudgery to which

NEXUS

American women were unjustly subjected’. Straight facts, ladies. There is a possibility I will start shaving my legs again, but for now I’m happy being a hairy gal. I’m prepared for the comments and judgmental looks I’ll get; I’ll fight them off with pride. It’s super fun to stroke my fluffy legs whenever I get the chance, and I’m loving not having to deal with stupid strawberry legs every week. And I don’t feel any less attractive; in fact I’ve been dressing up and experimenting with makeup looks even more lately. Hairy gals can be gorgeous too (FlorenceGiven on Instagram ROCKS her fits AND her fuzzy pits). So yeah, I think I’ll be leaving my razor to rust from now on. Sorry, not sorry, Gillette! YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

KUPU WHAKAATU / 特辑

12 N.11 / V. 55

特辑 / KUPU WHAKAATU

NEXUS

Whakapapa Takatāpuitanga Benjamin Doyle (He/They) Ētita’s Note: This piece was provided to us by the incomparable Benjamin Doyle, on the premise that we make you, the reader, aware it’s the startings of an incredible thesis being written. With that in mind, it’s still unfinished and a work in progress. A huge thank you e mara. akatāpuitanga, the lived experience and quality of being passing through time as moving backwards into the future - kia Takatāpui, has many layers. The two most obvious of whakatōmuri te haere whakamua. Because of this, there is little these are a simultaneous identity as both Māori and expectation for formal titles to denote the distance of a person to LGBTQ+. A notion of intersections within Takatāpui their relative. Second-cousin, great-aunt, step-sibling, and nieceidentities is, in itself, complicated. For Māori, it is unnatural to in-law are, therefore, superfluous terms from a Māori world view. separate out aspects of a person's self, as though they exist in These relationships will often simply be acknowledged and treated isolation from one another. To view these aspects as intersecting as whānau - be that cousin, aunty, sibling, or niece - and certainly suggests that they can come together at one time, and at another with little interest in a prefix denoting distance or authenticity. For have no overlap or influence on the other. As in the epistemologies these reasons, whakapapa is understood as a guiding principle in of many Indigenous Peoples, Māori believe that all things are Te Ao Māori that shapes our interactions with all things, living and inherently related (Kimmerer, 2013; Mika, 2021; Pierotti, 2010; inanimate, as we acknowledge that nothing exists in isolation, but is Smith, 2021). We express this, for example, through pepeha which a product of its whakapapa. acknowledge our interconnectedness with the natural environment (such as our ancestral mountains and rivers), the waka, iwi, hapū If we are to hold true that all things belong to a whakapapa, it and marae from which we descend, and the whānau to which we follows then that there is a whakapapa of Takatāpui identities and belong. These aspects of our identity narratives. The lived experiences are deeply related, and therefore of this whakapapa reach back as exist in constant conversation with far as our most ancient tūpuna. So one another. For Takatāpui, this far, in fact, that we find ourselves at In knowing something’s whakapapa, way of understanding the universe the very begining, in Te Kore - the the layers that make it up, you can means that our sexuality and gender genderless, fluid, potential from is also unable to be disentangled which all things descend. Takatāpui come to know how it came to be, how from our identity as Māori; our belong to this narrative, we are it relates to the rest of existence, and Māoritanga. It is for this reason woven stands of the whakapapa. how it will come to exist in the future that I visualise Takatāpuitanga as a In fact, through reclamation, layered whakapapa, rather than as restoration, and representation intersectional. As, while Takatāpui projects, members of our own (burgess, et al., 2021). is an intersectional identity in its community have extinguished any theoretical sense, in reality, the doubt of our perpetual existence strands of our identity do not simply (Aspin & Hutchings, 2007a, 2007b). intersect, they are woven in layers. In short, our identity as Māori Papahou, waka huia, pūrākau, mōteatea, and waiata all confirm wholly informs our queerness. this fact, displaying a memory of our Takatāpui narratives from a not-so-distant past. The transmission of these narratives, however, Whakapapa is foundational to our entire world view as Māori has been violently disrupted by a period of sustained colonisation (Pihama, 2017; Pitman, 2012). Conceptually, it is often associated since the arrival of Pākehā on the shores of Turanga-nui-a-Kiwa in with the English term genealogy. However, this is a limited translation, 1769 (Aspin & Hutchings, 2007b; Kerekere, 2017; Mikaere, 2019; as in the English there is a primary emphasis on cis-heteronormative Smith, 2012). It is only in recent decades, since the 1980s, that work nuclear family values. In Te Ao Māori, the notion of whakapapa is has been done to recentre Takatāpui as a real, active, and historical expansive and fluid. Firstly, there is no criteria that dictates only component of Te Ao Māori. The reemergence of this kaupapa marks human or genetic ancestry. This is seen most powerfully in the way the beginning of a contemporary whakapapa Takatāpuitanga. The we acknowledge Ngā Atua, especially Papatūānuku and Ranginui, first intensive effort since the beginning of colonisation on these as our tūpuna, and the taiao as our tuakana. Secondly, whakapapa lands. Like the generational flow of ancestry, passed through holds a much more relational understanding of whānau than in the relational bonds of whānau, hapū, and iwi, the germination the Pākehā equivalent. Within a Maori worldview, the concept of of this new era of whakaaro has blossomed through a process of whānau includes people who might not necessarily be related whakapapa kōrero. Unlike the pace of human genealogy, however, through birth or union, but rather, by virtue of their importance in the generational layers of thought and discourse about Takatāpui one's life. Thirdly, whakapapa has less interest in a linear transmission have unfolded, and continue to do so, at such momentum that of time than genealogy. While there is certainly a generational those who nurtured the seeds of dialogue in their early stages are progression in the lives of people, the concept of time and space is still contributing to the conversation, now as tuakana and kaumātua, not concrete. One of our whakataukī describes the way we percieve in its continued life and growth.

“ ”

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

MARAMARA KŌRERO / 专栏

Libbie and their Umbrella Full of Queers I love large umbrellas just as much as the next person, and by far the largest and best umbrella I know of is the word ‘queer’. While not everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community identifies as queer, it is by far my favourite way to refer to the group. The large acronym can be a mouthful and ‘rainbow’ doesn’t always sit right with me. Queer is the best umbrella. For one month a year, the powerhouse that is capitalism brushes dust off of their rainbow icons to stand with the queers. I’ve written a quick song to encapsulate this time of the year. “Hey June”, a cover of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude”: Hey June, Don’t let me down Take those rainbow icons And make them better!!!!!!!! Like for real, please, make it better. Pride means so much more than chucking a rainbow on things and banner-waving while screaming “hey hey look at me and how I appreciate this wonderful rainbow community but please ignore the shitty communities of sweatshops we use”. Just like any day, week, or month of recognition, pride month is riddled with companies run by the straight and cis-gendered to show off how good of a person they are. Pride is so much more than that! Where is the showcase of actual queer people succeeding in this capitalist world? Show me those instead of Mark Zuckerburg doing his weird lizard thing in front of a pride flag. Let me reiterate that boy, oh boy, queer is a very large umbrella and what is the use of such a large umbrella if everyone is gonna be the same? Correct, there is no use. So don’t even slightly think that the queer experience and pride is the same for each of us. While most of us can sympathise with the nerve-wracking feeling that comes with coming out, even this is not the same for everyone. Heck, I didn’t even really come out; I just left it for other people to figure out. It’s like girls on Instagram who soft release their boyfriends by casually dropping them into posts- yeah, that’s me with my whole identity.

14 N.11 / V. 55

My point is, everyone is navigating this life differently. You can ask a handful of people what pride means to them and come out with different answers, fueled by different experiences. In fact, I did this to save you the time. Because the queer experience can be so drastically different, to be sure I was comfortable writing around such a broad umbrella topic, I did some inquiry into what pride is to the old Instagram followers. Pride is confidence. It is love. It is being true to yourself. This encapsulates many of the responses I got, flooded with positivity and love and showcasing pride as, well, something to be proud of. And it is! It is literally in the name and one of the whole points of pride is to be unapologetically ourselves and to love ourselves. For way too long has the queer community had to live in the shadows and hide who they are. BITCH IT’S 2022 WE AIN'T GOT TIME FOR THAT SHIT NO MORE. It’s time to be gay, do crime, and yea be confident about who you are! But also pride is about acknowledging that not everyone in the world is able to do this safely. Be gay, do crime, but in some places that is one in the same. Pride is about also loving our queer whānau who can’t come out or be who they would ideally love to be. For some people, it just isn’t safe and their circumstances, brought on by some sad thinking, doesn’t allow it. For all that love we feel for ourselves and fellow takatāpui, this love has got to be extended to those deep in a safety closet who aren’t getting the love they need. Stop rainbow washing shit every June for a lil fun half-assed activism. Instead, educate yourselves on the intersectioanlity of being queer and go kiss who ever you want! I leave you with another song this time not poorly written by me but the queer queen Lady Gaga: No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life I’m on the right track, baby, I was born to survive. Rejoice and love yourself today Cause, baby, you were born this way.

LISTEN NOW ON

NEXUS

MARAMARA MARAMARA KŌRERO KŌRERO / 专栏 / 专栏

Whelmed Whelmed by Rachael Elliott

Dave Snell (He/Him)

The smarter you are the more likely you are are being thrown under the fucking bus. In were children? Nothing like never being to struggle with your mental health. I dunno every country from which data is available, sure if you can trust a person to keep you whether makes y’allI more lesstolikely in everyEven racial, ethnic, and age group, your or toes. Flatting isthat hard. I’m glad don’t or have do it anymore. if rents assaults, policefrom up youron street, people stealing your washing off to hit the skids to be honest. You did make every historical period: we have lower arrest weren’t soaring, they are still difficult. You are in a very long running the line. it into uni, then youwith actually chose but to way rates than men All for all crime categories Perhaps it’s because we still get paid less episode of but Big Brother no prizes, more drama. come when one’s higher education except shouldn’t be on than men doing work. Nothing of this here can affect mental health.is Ithe still can’t look prostitution at a post-it (which I’m going to go out a limb andforsay menthe aresame easier to flat with. biggest money-making scam the boomers a crime, sex work is work). Several peerlike feeling unappreciated to make you want note without flashbacks of a flatmate who used to vacuum once a Because we’re stupid. For example, I used to bribe my flatmates to managed since the housing crisis so… Jury’s reviewed studies over the last few decades to stay in bed all day. month, and then would put a note on the wall complaining that he pick me up from my video rental job (back during those times) with have shown wom*n outperform men they spent, they could’ve paid for it themselves out. was the only one who did any housework (he wasn’t). The flatthat mate porn. For the petrol in many of the key areas that make for out Maybe it’s because been taughtBut 10 who used to mosh in the lounge and put a hole through the wall is - but economics goes the window when we’ve dicks are involved. good leadership: self-awareness, kindness, different ways not to be raped but boys still Recent stats from the NZ Health survey another memory I have - at least that meant there was nothing to I digress. reported womennotes agedon.15-24 were self-control, humility, social skills, and haven’t been told not to rape us? That deep put passivethat aggressive experiencing depression at moral People will tellanxiety you thatand flatting is good because you getsensitivity. exposed to While men outperform us in double the rate of men the same age, and different worldviews. " I’m going to go out on a limb aggression, Māori youth are 1.5 times more likely to unprovoked have a diagnosis anxiety disorder than psychopathy, narcissism, and say men are easier to flat That can be good, of bad, or weird. non-Māori. Our trans, non-binary, gender greed, and the kinds of with. Because we’re stupid. " Machiavellian tendencies queer, and takatāpui whānau The flatmate who brought anare eel even back more from Ōpōtiki and kept it as a thatit Big create things like marginalised, so they’re deeper in the pet was hilarious, but aneven example of this. Feeding Ben pies in white collar crime, mishandling of a global down, some think(yeah, they’re entitled to hole. a little paddling pool and leaving it on the laundry floor to see if we While thoughts and prayers don’t domen anything I said it), I do pandemic and the need for the #metoo our smiles, our time, and our bodies, even would pick it up thinking it was a belt. feel for those renters out there at the moment. Please look out for So don’t try and tell me that there isn’t a movement. And yet they’re still inSpare charge. when we say no. each other. a couch for the occasional couch surfer. Cos being societally constructed, gender specific, And you still ask us why we need feminism. Up north in Whangārei was even more weird/stressful/entertaining. a renter is hard. Property managers are scummy. Rental companies Maybe we’re all to fucked because kyriarchal component to our mental health called Raumanga. On don’t care. If you are fortunate I used to live in a rough-ish area of Whangārei enough not beuprenting, andwe’re you Anyway, I digress. Why are wom*n more more likely to experience mental and crisis. The effect of gender-roles and the a street full of tinny houses (Warwick Crescent represent), it used to own your house, let’s not judge those who are doing it rough. likelywith to struggle with their mental andtoabuse than men, and negative experiences of out these be a weekly activity to sit thethroughout front of our house a beer and Missing a fewhealth avocados physical on toastviolence is not going get you a house. your life, often starting before you even than men? MaYBE iT’s ThEiR HoRMoNEs? trauma is directly linked to the development watch them get raided. I feel the shoes over the phone lines were realise is happening, is aparties, very large Are stolen wom*nproperty, more likelyTake to be anxious and of anxiety, depression, and a host of other a good what giveaway. Or ongoing break-ins, care. and specific risk factor for mental illness. depressed because we do all the emotional mental illnesses. Not to mention the fact that we’re usually labour or because men aren’t allowed to left literally holding the baby (or the sibling, have feelings? Either way you can thank the Maybe, until we sort that out, wom*n are or parent or grandparent). patriarchy, and the solution is feminism. going to struggle more with their mental health than men. Despite being the gold fucking standard of Perhaps we’re anxious and depressed humanity, wom*n (yes, all wom*n, inclusive) because we’ve been sexualised since we If you want to help? Call out your friend’s 16 N.11 / V. 55

专栏 / MARAMARA KŌRERO

NEXUS

Soapbox White people are fragile by Lara Dashfield

Katrina Jones (She/Her)

There are a few things in life that white people just can’t handle. Things such as any curry that is spicier than mild, when people use the Māori language, and discussing racism. This is called white fragility (I don’t think the curry thing comes under it, that’s just being a pussy). Essentially, white fragility is the discomfort and awkwardness that white people experience when discussing “sensitive” topics such as racism, gender and sexuality. Not politics though – they think they know all about that (you’d think so considering they come from a long line of colonisers). But why do white people feel this discomfort? Aside from the fact that it probably adds to their ‘playing the victim role’ and that they’ll never get racially profiled at Farmers, one would assume that it’s because they can’t speak on a topic they know nothing about.

" Not politics though – they think they know all about that (you’d think so considering they come from a long line of colonisers). " However, white people assume that their silence and obvious discomfort on issues such as racism are for the best. I mean, you wouldn’t listen to health advice from a crackhead on the street and

not a doctor, so why would you listen to advice/thoughts on racism from a white person who’s never experienced it?! But white fragility actually contributes towards racism (shocker). Those who experience white fragility may disagree that they are racist (probably because they’ve got a black friend, so how can they be racist), but their actions, behaviours and feelings most likely promote and contribute towards racism. As avoiding the topic of race contributes to racism. By turning a blind eye towards things such as white superiority and white privilege, racism will continue to hold its place in society. Since white people experience racism just about as much as those who live in the desert experience snow, they often cannot feel, see, or understand it. However, unfortunately many people of colour experience racism from an age earlier than they can even understand it, with many of them describing how their parents have had to prepare them to live a life as a minority in a racist society. Due to white people’s blatant ignorance (on all topics), understanding and experiencing what they lack is known as ‘racial stamina.’ White people can develop racial stamina by engaging in genuine conversations with people of colour and having direct experiences. By building racial stamina, it may cure their white fragility and allow them to contribute to an anti-racist society, instead of ignoring and silencing the racism that goes on around them. Helping break the pattern of fragile behaviours and actions towards race. However, they’ve yet to find a cure for not enjoying curry spicier than mild, just grow up really.

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

PUORO / 音乐

Queer Anthem Allsorts Chloe Smith (She/Her)

I’m Coming Out - Diana Ross And that I did, many years ago - I kicked those closet doors wide open. #bibitch

Bisexual - GRLwood Fuck I love this one- soft metal bi anthem

I Want to Break Free - Queen Freddie mercury!

LGBT - Cupcakke This one lowkey rolls around my brain every time I’m wearing my Doc Martens, with my septum piercing flipped down, ready to stomp on homophobic bitches.

Girls - Girl in red I’m not talking ‘bout boys, I’m talking ‘bout girls 18 N.11 / V. 55

Verbatim - Mother Mother What defines a straight man straight?

运动 / HĀKINAKINA

NEXUS

Biscuitball Oliver Dunn (He/Him)

Three weekends ago, a ragtag team of underdogs made history by becoming the first Waikato men’s team to ever hoist the UTSNZ shield. Not known for their 3x3 basketball, Waikato handled Lincoln University in the final with a game winning free throw from Te Maire van der Leden. The 22-year-old guard left his stamp on the National Tertiary tournament, scoring the winning point in all three of the team’s playoff games. van der Leden describes his emotions moments after scoring the championship winning point: ‘Thank fuck I made one of those free throws.’ Having finished last and second to last between their men’s and women’s team in 2021, the Waikato Kāhu squad seemed longshots to make any real noise in Palmerston North. Despite all this, they took home gold in the men’s competition, finished fourth in the women’s, and had two players named to the tournament team – Jack McManaway and Maya Taingahue. ‘We were pretty much all the exact same guy,’ van der Leden remarked when asked about team chemistry. ‘Most of us were 6’2, 6’3, two-way guards, and if one of us wasn’t hitting that day, someone else was. There was always someone with a hot hand.’ Joining van der Leden on the men’s team was Jack McManaway, a streaky scorer who came alive in the playoffs, Jayden Taufale, a lethal sniper from deep, and Dan Dobson, a rookie unphased by the moment, playing his best basketball in the final. ‘Heading into the final, everyone was pushing the narrative of us being underdogs,’ van der Leden said. ‘Yeah we lost our first game, pretty badly, but I thought we were the team to beat.’ Going up against Lincoln University, runners up from last year, Waikato faced a daunting opponent in the final. Known for their interior defence and a dangerous point guard, the white and blue kept it close at the start, but fell away down the stretch. ‘The boys lit it up from deep and stuck with it. We stayed locked in.’ Now a veteran for Waikato, van der Leden ranks this championship right up there near the top of his sporting achievements, on par with a full court buzzer beater in Year 8. ‘It’s probably the highlight of my tertiary career. The whole weekend was great. The experience and the culture, it was cool to be a part of. We were just as hyped for the girl’s games, and vice versa.’ YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

MARAMARA KŌRERO / 专栏

To bi or not to bi I am bisexual. Maybe. Probably. The thing is, I don’t really know for sure. I’ve always mostly had eyes for men, and I’m happily in love with one now, but there were times back in high school where I found myself thinking a lot of impure thoughts about my female friends. But it’s confusing; on one hand, I’ve only had major feelings for four different girls in my life. On the other hand, they were some of the biggest crushes I’ve ever had. So, which is it? Bi? Or straight? This all started when I was eleven. A new girl started going to my school, and confused the shit out of me. I knew I liked boys (I was kinda obsessed with them from an early age), but I also liked her. What the heck did this mean? I didn’t even know the word “bisexual” yet; I thought I must be really weird. The craziest part was that there were times that I could’ve sworn she liked me too, but it was so hard to tell. We’d be cuddled up together on her couch, occasionally looking deeply into each other’s eyes, but then she would say something like, ‘wow, I wish I had a boyfriend to do this with’. Ugh. My poor little heart. As soon as I discovered the term “bisexual”, I was desperate to know if this was what I was. Thus beginning my long, long journey of “questioning”. I took online quizzes, I asked strangers on the internet, I even tried coming out to a random guy at a teen camp that my parents sent me on. Nothing helped. I was still decidedly unsure. I went through high school, falling for different girls, but never quite wanting to call myself bisexual. Eventually I started to come out more and more, simply telling people I ‘might be bi’, but no one seemed to understand. People loved labels, and so people started labeling me. To my friends, I was bisexual. They didn’t understand that in my mind, I was just “maybe bisexual”, or “potentially bisexual”. In the world of today, you can’t really come out as Maybe. What I really wanted most in the world was for Future Sarah to have a time-machine. I daydreamed about a cool and confident older version of me, appearing in a Tardis, and saying, ‘hey kid. You’re bi’. While there is definitely some wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey reason why that wouldn’t be possible in the world of space-time travel, I think it’s a fair request. So here I am, younger Sarah, and I’m going to tell you, and all the other long-time questioners out there, the truth: it really doesn’t matter. I know you want a nice tidy label to box yourself into. I know it would be so much easier if you knew exactly what you are so that you can tell people. But you don’t need a label to know what and who you are. I’m serious, you can literally just say to people, ‘I mostly like boys, but occasionally I get crushes on girls’. And if they try to tell you that you’re bi, or that you’re basically just straight, just tell them, ‘actually, no; that isn’t what I said’. Despite what they’ll tell you, you can come out as Maybe. The thing is, if someone had said this to little Sarah, she wouldn’t have listened. It was something I needed to learn over time, until the point that I could say to people ‘I just like whoever I like’. As a long-time questioner, I know that some questions simply don’t have one answer- and that’s absolutely okay. 22 N.11 / V. 55

专栏 / MARAMARA KŌRERO

NEXUS

BEING IN LOVE AND DISABLED Recently, I have been thinking about what pride means to me as a disabled individual who is also a part of the LGBTQ+ community. And, to put it simply, the answer is freedom. Freedom to love whoever I want regardless of my sexuality and interest in romance - but also to love regardless of what my body may or may not be hindered by. To remember that there is more to me than just the disability that compromises my mobility, and sometimes my mind. And that love can be simple or complicated and still be beautiful. Confused? Let me explain. Dating as a queer person can be challenging at the best of times (thanks COVID for throwing another curveball for it), but dating as a disabled person adds another round of challenges. On top of the usual “will this person be attracted to my physical appearance?”, “what if I slip up?”, “how do I make a good impression?” and “is this too much or too far?”, there are other questions to consider. “Will this person support my access needs?”, “will this person look at me and say I’m too much?”, “does this person even know what my condition is?”, and “what if they are ableist?” It can be extremely intimidating. Pride can be a reminder that no matter what, we are deserving of love. Our conditions and the ways we have to adapt to life do not mean that we are incapable of loving or being loved. This is something that we often forget, which is heartbreaking. So often I find

myself - and hear others find themselves - thinking of their disabled selves as burdens or not good enough. Thinking that others should go find less because they are too much. And pride highlights that love should always win. That love does not discriminate against body types or attraction to certain genders or how capable our bodies are. Pride is a reminder that love transcends the physical world, and is a union of two (or more) souls and minds, as well as bodies. That love is based more on human connection and positivity rather than what can hinder or challenge a person. You may be asking yourself - how can I help? How can I celebrate disabled people and the queer community? How can I support people? And the answer to this is simple, too. Know enough about what challenges a disabled person - their condition, the specific effects they deal with - but also ask and learn about them as a person. What music do they love? What are their favourite memories? Remind them that there is more to them than their disabilities, and that they are worthy of love. To members of the disabled community - I understand why you may forget how amazing you are. How you can feel consumed by the disability and all that it entails. But you are worthy. There is more to you than your disability. And you are both cherished and deserve to be cherished. And life has many beautiful connections in store for you. YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

MARAMARA KŌRERO / 专栏

Fashion is an instrument for expression and experimentation - and who better an example of that than the queer community? We have them to thank for most of the trends that we see come through the decades.

the queer and Pasifika communities that the Papa brand has roots in.’ They are mostly made to order, but some pieces are available to be shipped out ASAP.

So next time you’re feeling spendy and want an excuse, you can peruse and shop these queer-owned and/or inclusive NZ brands under the guise of ‘supporting local.’ Dog-ear this page, would ya?

I Want Fluff:

Infamy Apparel: Amy Lautogo started Infamy Apparel in 2019, a brand dedicated to fat advocacy through fashion, and in their words, ‘decolonising fat fashion one garment at a time.’ Based out of Tāmaki Makaurau, Infamy can do custom designs made for you or have ready-to-wear designs too! The designs are unapologetic, bold and funky with Amy being motivated primarily by her mood and senses. Any brand that has a story and principles behind the clothes has my heart. She’s taking a break for now, but when she’s back…. *slams card on table*

Papa Clothing: This Pacific-run clothing label sucked me in with its focus on natural materials, sustainable values, and emphasis on mending and repairing your clothes (a sustainable fashion girlies wet dream). The diversity of their customer base tells all, ranging across age, size, gender, and culture. Papa clothing’s silhouettes are easy to wear for anyone. ‘Inclusivity to us means amplifying the beauty of those that are often marginalized by the fashion industry, especially those within

24 N.11 / V. 55

Run by Azure Sky Elis, I Want Fluff is a jewellery brand based out of Christchurch. All handmade to order with a huge range of goodies to choose from (like seriously, just doing research for this article almost had me adding to cart many a time). Creating badges, necklaces, earrings, mirrors, and even portraits, this gal has you covered for cute, queer, and unique pieces to adorn your body or home with. Her ‘not today coloniser,’ ‘land back,’ ‘spread your legs not covid,’ and pronoun dangly kupu earrings are personal faves. (Is it still considered a fave if there’s more than one?)

Agnes and Edie: After feeling frustrated with the lack of suitable NZ-made binders, Margot founded Agnes and Edie. This queer-owned and-run Aotearoa boutique is full to the brim with accessories, clothing, books, and gender-affirming and queer-affirming products. Based in the North Island, it’s your one-stop-shop for information, education, and accessible help. It’s bloody hard out there, so all of Agnes & Edie's gender-affirming wear is sold as close to cost-price as possible to minimize how spendy it is to source gender-affirming products for the New Zealand queer community. If this sounds like a bitta you, and you have any questions, flick them a message - no matter how big or small they’ve gotcha back.

专栏 / MARAMARA KŌRERO

NEXUS

A love letter to queer vegans (and vegetarians) From one plant-based friend of Dorothy to another, well done. I’m writing this letter to remind you how great you are, despite what the haters and naysayers say. I don’t know you, but I’ve thought about why you’re a cliché and awesome. You are fucking changing the world. You should be proud that your dietary choice is reducing greenhouse gas and stock emissions, reducing energy consumption, conserving water, chemically stabilising the ocean, protecting rainforests, and preserving habitats. You have challenged normative identities and practices including the requirement for mandatory dead animals at 7pm. Or that red meat is masculine or what you eat makes you any less a person. I haven’t met you, but I have a feeling you’re passionate about rejecting forms of violence against groups of people and species. Hot. Lemme guess, you’re political? Makes sense given the LGBT+’s huge past. I bet you are compassionate. Cows love you. You’ve experienced what it’s like to be an outsider and now you can sympathise with the voiceless. I know you don’t really have the luxury of not being socially aware. Don’t even think about explaining where you get your protein. I don’t care. I trust you know your body. I don’t care if you slip up. Every little bit helps. Ignore your family, you’re not making a big missed steak. Whatever your reason, there’s no denying you’re preventing suffering. On behalf of animals, the planet and your body,

You do tofu, boo.

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

MARAMARA KŌRERO / 专栏

This week, we’re celebrating the freedom to love who we want to love (which we should be doing everyday). Now, you may remember the last film analysis of “The Neon Demon”. In this piece I’m going to do a similar thing, but instead talk about the relationship between cinema and the LGBTQ+ community. Props to Jak for recommending the focus for today, because the moment he said to watch “Love, Simon '' I had already opened Disney+. I’ll also be talking about the 90s documentary “Paris Is Burning”, so buckle up, because I have a lot to unpack here. I’ll start off by talking about the beautiful coming-of-age story that starred a straight twenty-something year old man as a gay teenager. Well, there’s the first problem. I will admit I did thoroughly enjoy this movie, but I’m trying to be as unbiased as possible. And I know that films are all about acting, but shouldn’t they be about inclusivity too? And yes, the actor that played his love interest is part of this beautiful community, so the film did something right. I’m going on a bit of a tangent here, sorry. Anyways, maybe I should talk about the good shit in “Love, Simon”. I’ve read many reviews about it, and honestly they’re mostly full of praise. And I understand, because same bro. We’re rooting for Simon, because he does deserve love. He’s not just hiding some secret; he’s hiding the person that he truly is out of fear. Nobody should ever have to experience that, and yet they do because of fucked up world we live in where all aspects of freedom will never actually exist. I’ve never had to experience that, but according to many people, this movie helped them. Some wished it came out during the time they were having the same struggle, and others think that it’s a perfect depiction of the utter hell people have to face just because other people won’t accept them. How fucked is that? I do think that some of the world has come a long way, but why did it take so long?? Bloody hell I get off track a lot. Lol. Ew, why did I type that? Anyway… I personally think that “Love, Simon” does a pretty incredible job on educating people about how shit life can be. It’s a good step for the relationship between LGBTQ+ community and cinema. If I am

26 N.11 / V. 55

wrong, please speak up. Maybe I wasn’t the best person to write about this and I should eat my words about inclusivity… But I’m going to continue because it’s kinda my job. Next, we have “Paris Is Burning”. I one hundred percent thought this was actually going to be about Paris; the audacity of my few brain cells. This documentary glimpses into the New York drag and ball subculture during the 1980s, and discusses the utter madness people of the LGBTQ+ community were forced to endure. Before I actually started this, I have to say that one of the best things about it is the fact that it’s a documentary; it’s full of real stories, and real experiences. So let’s get into it then, yeah?

" To be given a voice is one thing, but to be accepted is a whole new ordeal. " This documentary is so damn powerful. The truth is ugly, and it’s worse when you know that the stuff that happened decades ago still occurs today. Sure, there’s been some progress, but ultimately the world is still pretty shit. What I think is amazing about projects like this is that they’re real; it’s a recommended watch, because it gives you an understanding and insight into the lives of people who, unfortunately, were not accepted by their families and the rest of society. Between “Paris Is Burning” and “Love, Simon'', you can see the changes in entertainment and how the LGBTQ+ community is finally becoming more and more accepted. To be given a voice is one thing, but to be accepted is a whole new ordeal. I think that at this point in time, if you’re not an ally then there’s no excuse. There is so much material to educate yourself, to understand that there are so many people who struggle with their own identity because a lot of the time, humanity aint shit.

艺术欣赏 / MAHI TOI

NEXUS

“Two of the same” "Why can we not love who we want to? The thought of having to come out makes our bones tremble and leaves our stomachs in an appetite less pit. They say that love is beautiful. But tense at the love of two of the same. Where is it written that you cannot love someone despite their gender? Love is beautiful, love is kind, and love shouldn’t be trapped in a box. The “I do’s” of man and woman never needed a law to allow it to happen. The secrecy behind “gender” appropriate clothing just so Karen’s don’t bash you down. Yet love is beautiful, and love is kind. And it is most certainly trapped in a box. Where is the open world of the ever so loved romance in heartstopper? They’ll share, “Happy Pride Month! Love is Love!” But bully those that are openly passionate about love of two of the same. Love is most certainly love, It comes from our beautiful beating heart. The heart does not depict which gender it chooses to love. It picks based on personality, and that strong warm feeling of comfort. The gender you love, does not define your worth. It also does not make it mean any less, even when fighting for the marriage of two of the same." Chelsea James (She/Her)

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

MAHI TOI / 艺术欣赏

28 N.11 / V. 55

Dr Gaurav Sharma MP for Hamilton West

43 Pembroke St, Hamilton Lake (07) 8 37 38 29 gaurav.sharma@parliament.govt.nz /gmsharmanz @gmsharmanz /gmsharmanz

Authorised by Dr Gaurav Sharma MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Wishing you a great academic year ahead

EVERYBODY

OFF IT’S 75%

BUSIT.CO.NZ | 0800 205 305

You read that right! If you’ve got your University of Waikato concession loaded onto your Bee Card, your bus and train fares are not just 50% off, they’re 75% off throughout April, May and June!

0800 205 305 tehuiatrain.co.nz busit.co.nz

Add your University of Waikato concession NOW at busit.co.nz/fares

NEXUS

AROTAKENGA / 点评

Everything Everywhere All at Once Movie | Jared Ipsen (He/Him)

88%

Now, I never in my life thought I would find myself sobbing on the couch to a movie scene featuring two rocks with fucken googly eyes on them, but that’s exactly where I found myself last Sunday afternoon. This movie was fantastic. Oh, and the themes - so many themes! The futility of nihilism, intergenerational trauma, the ups and downs of marriage, queer love, grief, not living up to your potential, what if your fingers were made out of hot dogs?, and the Lovecraftian nightmare that is the ‘everything bagel’ - good Lord almighty. I don’t want to give too much away because it’s one of those ‘go in blind’ joints, but suffice to say this is the movie that Marvel Studios and the Wachowskis could only dream of making. Ke Huy Quan’s acting absolutely broke me towards the end, and when my wife woke up from her nap she was very confused as to why I was crying about how happy I was to be ‘folding laundry’ with her. The only thing I didn’t like was that it felt a little over-long toward the end, I kept thinking it was finished and then something else would happen- kind of like in Twin Peaks where that dude turns up with the glove and punches BOB and you’re like oh, okay, fuck, is that it then? And then it really isn’t it at all.

Dating Amber Movie | Eilidh Huggan (She/Her) Fionn O’Shea (who plays Eddie) is adorable, Lola Petticrew (who plays Amber) is fantastic, and the Irish accents make me feel some kind of way. It is not uncommon to find films about first loves and bad dates, but very few actually speak to those of us who aren't straight and white. Dating Amber is a fresh take on the classic ‘rom-com’, feel good movie, that isn’t a straight love story following Hugh Grant and Renee Zelwiger; Kate Hudson and Mathew Mcconahay; Katherine Hiegal and Seth Rogan; or Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. It is a little bit stereotypical in some regards, I’ll admit, but that shouldn’t be your main focus. Dating Amber is a genuinely sweet film about overcoming societal expectations and finding your own path in life. With Eddie and Amber, familiar feelings are given a fresh perspective. The film showcases the importance of platonic love and caring for our friends beyond what may be expected. I am a sucker for platonic relationships, so it made me so happy to see it so beautifully portrayed on screen. This movie is great. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it made me feel something. I would watch it, but probably not more than twice.

30 N.11 / V. 55

70%

点评 / AROTAKENGA

Crush

Movie | Libbie Gillard (They/Them)

NEXUS

80%

“Crush”, released on Hulu and Disney+, is the perfect feel good movie. It’s horrendously cheesy and makes you cringe in all the best and worst ways. It has teen drama, it has laughs, and it has a love triangle. Really, it is everything that a coming-of-age romantic comedy should be. And yea, it’s a coming-of-age, not a coming-out story. This film has an absolutely star-studded cast led by Rowan Blanchard from “Girl Meets World”. Blanchard’s love interests are played by none other than Isabella Ferreira from Love Victor, and Auli’i Cravalho, the voice of Moana. For a fun casting bonus the in-your-face token straight best friend is actually played by a gay man, Tyler Alvarez. We follow Blanchard’s character, Paige Evans, as she navigates her final year of high school while trying to get into the school of her dream, CalArts. Paige is hopelessly infatuated with Gabriela Campos (played by Ferreira). In an attempt to spend more time with her, an unathletic Paige joins the track team. Gabby and her sister AJ (played by Cravalho) are the track team captains, and so, the love triangle begins. AJ trains Paige and they start to fall for each other but Paige can’t quite let go of Gabby. Eventually Paige and AJ kiss in a beautiful scene that makes me swoon every time, and all is well. My one minor ick with the movie is the track scenes. Watching sport in films is so painful and director Sammi Cohen doesn’t seem to know how to make track look good, but it’s passable. The cringe dialogue was also a bit eek on first watch but after additional viewings, I realise it’s part of the charm.

Conversations with Friends TV Show | Caitlin Walters-Freke (She/Her)

60%

Finally, I’m back in my element… kind of. The TV show “Conversations with Friends” is a show I probably never would have discovered if it weren’t for Jak’s recommendation. However, unlike the album he recommended last week, I am happy that I watched this show. But just because I said I’m happy I watched it, doesn’t mean I like it. Based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Sally Rooney, it follows Frances and Bobbi, students in their final year at Uni in Ireland. They form a deep connection to writer Melissa, and her husband Nick, who Frances starts to have an affair with. That’s essentially all I can say without spoiling anything. Honestly, the show isn’t really my style. I prefer things with more action in them and I found that “Conversations with Friends” was very slow, which I think is its biggest flaw. The plot didn’t get interesting until episode five, but it was also very predictable (I foresaw a lot of what happened after watching the first episode). In terms of the characters, I found a lot of them to be very flat and not have much emotion or depth to them, especially Frances who was meant to be the main character. It is trying to be artsy and since this is meant to be a romance-drama, I will provide a censorship warning for those who want to watch it. If you’re keen to give it a watch, it’s available to stream on Amazon Prime. YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

WHAKANGAHAU / 娱乐

Don't quote me “i'm sorry i'm not coming to texas for tour. my ex lives out there” - Living his truth, Lil Nas X is me whenever asked to go to Tāmaki

Crush of the week

“Are you Gay?” - Sarah Schauer is all of us on dating apps at 1am.

Natasha Lyonne “But i also love being a hawwwr”

Here’s the thing with Natasha Lyonne, she should be the crush of the week EVERY WEEK. While not inherently lesbian, she’s been a huge part of the LGBTQIA+ community and has been one of the greatest allies.

- Peach Prc Just expressing herself in the only way she knows how.

Basically this is a celebration of her successes with Russian Doll season 2 and just being an all-around good bitch. We love you and we see you sis.

“Pollen came with brass knuckles this year cause DEUM!!!”

32 N.11 / V. 55

Pop off.

Twitter Treading

Clickbait Moodboard

- Cardi B, I don’t know anymore.

娱乐 / WHAKANGAHAU

Diminuitive Post 1

NEXUS

Top 10

Parents are arguing that their kids aren’t in first place Nexus reports an overheard kōrero between two parents seen folding their arms and watching their kids get their first year grades back. “Only a b? The lecturer is failing him because they’re intimidated by his talent and intellect” Little do they know, little Josh was seen at Backbar on ket instead of finishing his MRKTG101 reflections essay.

Open Day Blunders Last week's open day seemed to have caused some confusion as the riffraff from Tāmaki Makaurau and all their money thought they could add an 8th property to their portfolio. Somehow their peabrains didn’t realise that the word open isn’t synonymous with homes for purchase.

You’re a Witch Harry Locals living in Beaumont reported noises and sightings of a young woman on a broom floating above the rooftops, allegedly sprinkling some unknown substance atop the inhabitants. Bro this tab isn’t even kicking in yet, I swear it’s weak as. But yeah, wizards and shit man.

Celebrities who’ve come out this year

10.

Anna Paul - The fun aunt of TikTok doesn’t give a fuck about gender.

Janelle Monáe - Non-binary master, doesn’t adhere to such basic labels.

Jerrod Carmichael - Gay asf, but still hella funny. It comes hand in hand.

Ava Phillippe - Reese is one of those pride flag waving mums, forsure.

Peach PRC - TikTok songstress is one with Girl in Red.

Ozzy Lusth - He’s a Survivor, he’s gonna be gay.

Jasmine Kennedie - FUCKING

Bosco - TRANS

Willow Pill - EXCELLENCE

Kornbread ‘The Snack’ Jeté - BITCH

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

SNAPPED NEXUS

ATAPAKI / 学生体验

Keen for some free BurgerFuel? Simply snap 'nexusmag' the shitfest of your student lifestyle for the chance to win. Collect from the SUB.

WINNER

34 N.11 / V. 55

PANGA / 益智游戏

星座运势 / WĀHEKE

NEXUS

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 18

PISCES FEB 19 - MAR 20

ARIES MAR 21 - APR 19

Be prepared to have a shit week. Why? Because people are manifesting it. You’re not exactly likeable, and you shouldn’t be surprised about it either.

Did you know that Remus Lupin is (was) a Pisces? You have some very high expectations, especially since the fancast of Marauder-era Lupin is Andrew Garfield.

As much as you want to believe it, you’re not the Harry Styles of your friend group. You’re the friend who’s coping mechanisms are dark humour and sarcasm. It’s okay though, just have a nice cry to “Harry’s House.”

TAURUS APR 20 - MAY 20

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUN 20

CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22

Your coffee addiction is becoming very concerning. You’re like a car that's always on E, and the only way to fill up is with that bitter beverage (who tf still says “beverage?”). Maybe tone it down, yeah?

You need to realise that you are not the shit. Look around, what do you see? Exactly, there’s nothing. Why? Because you get NO BITCHES! So please, shut up.

You’re like wet socks. Or stepping on Lego whilst barefoot. Or touching food in the sink while washing dishes. Or utensils being scraped on a plate. Basically, you make people cringe, so can you like, stop?

LEO JUL 23 - AUG 22

VIRGO AUG 23 - SEP 22

LIBRA SEP 23 - OCT 22

You’re the epitome of the early 2000’s. Wacky hair, questionable style, drugs- but hey, you seem to really be enjoying life, and that’s all that matters. Good on you.

You remember “Freaky Friday”? Yeah… maybe don’t have any fortune cookies with people you don’t like for the next 7 to 10 business days.

Stop torturing yourself by watching movies and series that make you cry. Or do (free therapy amiright?). Watch some Studio Ghibli films next.

SCORPIO OCT 23 - NOV 21

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 19

You seem to have a lot of negative energy within you. You need to take some time to cleanse your aura. Charge your crystals, light some candles, grab a grimoire, and set up your ouija board, you fucking witch.

You’re such a puppy. Adorable, but you definitely overestimate yourself. You know how small dogs think that they’re tough shit? Yeah…

You are definitely that token emo character with black hair, no emotions, and tired eyes. Is it time for a makeover, or are you in dire need of therapy? (Hint: it’s the latter).

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

NEXUS

PANGA / 益智游戏

Wordfind Name: Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker

K C

Lesbian Gay Bisexual

R U

G C

N R

D D

N N

O E

R M A

N G O G N R

Q U

M B

Transgender Asexual Takatapui Two Spirit

O N

N G W

Pansexual

G E

N D

O G S

H G U R

H D

B Q E

C Q

T M D

U Q

N G Y

U W X

R H

Q X

S O R

U U C

X M A

N Q

U R G

H N

W S

S G E

N D

D O R O

R O M A

S O

P O

A M O U R

F B B J

Sudoku

I A

7U T O S I E3 V 8 1 Q 6 X K2 9 3 R I M 7 Q D C 5 6 3 4 9 6 4 8 1sudoku.com

7 3 8 1 6 2 9 3 7 5 6 3 4 9 6 4 8 1sudoku.com

EASY

5 4 N.11 / V. 55 9 7

9 9

1 6

1 8 6 8 1 7 3 4 n° 127194 - Level Easy

6 2 7 8 1 4

MEDIUM

1sudoku.com

n° 127194 - Level Easy

1sudoku.com

8 2 9 16 77

n° 127194 - Level Easy

Bigender

7 8 5 4 6 9 7 8 9 1 4 1 3

GNC 4

3 9 6 2 7

Heterosexual 5 8 2 1

1sudoku.com

2 73 9 1 3 9 1 2 9 2 9 2 9 1 4 34 6 7 2 1 2 5 96 88 3 6 9 7 5 n° 113857 - Level Easy n° 26259 - Level Medium 1sudoku.com

HARD

Polyamoury 1 4

Questioning 3 6

1sudoku.com

6 1 5 2 9 4

n° 113857 - Level Easy n° 26259 - Level Medium

4 9 7 8 3 1 8 7 4 2 6 7 1 3 5 8 8 1 4 9 5 3 3 5 7 8 2 6 7 8 4 6 1

1sudoku.com

1 2 9 4 8 2 9 1 6 2 4 6 4 3 1 8 6 4 2 4 8 1 2 8 1 7 1 6 8 3 5 3 9 Printing sudoku grids 3 https://1sudoku.com/print-sudoku 4 9 7 2 8 6 8 5

7 4 6 5 82 5 48 9 76 1 4 3 6 8 9 8 1 4 1 2 3 4 8 4 31 2 8 6 8 5 1sudoku.com

7 Demisexual 2 3 8 Non 1 Binary 5 9 6 2 Genderqueer 9 3 7 1 Genderfuck 9 5 6 4 Intersex 3 4 Cisgender 6 6 Ally 9 1 8 6 4 8 1 7 Autosexual Printing sudoku grids 8 4 Transexual 3 https://1sudoku.com/print-sudoku

W G A

Aromantic

Queer

9 2 5 3 8 2 3 1 6 7 1 9

n° 216107 n° 322040 - Level Hard - Level Medium

4 9 7 9 2Play these sudoku puzzles on your6mobile and find4their 5 solutions by flashing the co 8 3 1 5 7 1 2 3 4 2 1 5 9 n° 127194

n° 113857

n° 26259

n° 216107

益智游戏 / PANGA

NEXUS

80 by 20 delta maze

Simple Puzzles 4 Simple People

Maze

Boggle

YEAH, IT’S QUEER

Big plans to Real progress Almost finished your tertiary studies and thinking big and bright about what’s next? Maybe you don’t have it all mapped out yet, that’s where we come in! If you’re ready to kickstart your career with a global food marketing business, we’ll help you find your fit.

Scan the QR to apply, or online at: careers.silverfernfarms.com/future-talent

Nexus '22 | Issue 11 | Yeah, it's Queer

Articles inside

News

Soapbox 36 Puzzles

Mahitoi

Goodbye, Mr Gillette

Columns

Whelmed