A space to CALL HOME

Michele reflects on finding your safe place

- MICHÈLE A'COURT

We spend much of our lives looking for human connection and arranging ourselves in groups. Sometimes it’s based on activities – such as sports and social clubs – or we belong to a church, or we have a cultural connection. Sometimes it happens organically, other times there’s a sign outside.

That’s the one which has bothered a few people recently with designated spaces for Māori and Pasifika students on university campuses – but I don’t think it should.

We all need places where we are not “other”, where we metaphorically and literally speak the same language, where we’re not seen as the odd one out.

I adore performing at events that are all about the ladies. I’m about to start organising our annual Feminists Are Funny comedy show, in which a bunch of women and non-binary comedians will perform for an audience of the same.