Taranaki Lesbian Library Update & “Lesbians on Land” Gathering – TLN (Feb 1999)

Organisation / Publication: Taranaki Lesbian Network (TLN)

Date: February 1999

Location: New Plymouth, Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand

This page includes three key community updates:

1️⃣ Taranaki Lesbian Library – New Location

The notice states that:

• The Taranaki Lesbian Library is now housed at Channa’s,

• Kept in a “very special closet”

• Access is by appointment (phone ahead to arrange a time)

• This shows how community resources were often hosted in private or semi-private spaces for safety and accessibility.

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2️⃣ Te Reo Māori Section – “Ngā Whakahokinga”

This section lists Māori vocabulary under headings:

• Pae (external / surface terms)

• Ki Raro (internal / under / deeper terms)

This reflects TLN’s effort to include te reo Māori content in community communications — a meaningful example of bicultural inclusion in queer spaces in the late 1990s.

3️⃣ “Lesbians on Land” – Umua 1999 Gathering

Details given:

• Event: Lesbians on Land

• Location: Umua

• New Dates: 5–8 February 1999

• Conditions:

  • Lesbian-only

  • Drug & alcohol free

  • All food provided

  • “Same as usual” (indicating an ongoing, established gathering format)

This documents one of the rural lesbian land-based gatherings that were important for connection, safety, and community building outside urban centres.