Tauranga's gender diverse community is grieving the loss of a safe place after a suspected arson at the Historic Village.

A fire razed a building the organisation leased in partnership with RainbowYOUTH on June 16.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Gender Dynamix – a charitable trust supporting trans people (transgender, nonbinary, and those questioning their gender identities).

Einstein Hale says their members have been stressed, grieving and upset since the fire.

'The youth we serve were worried about another attack but on our other building.

'We have all been focused on grieving the time spent in that building finding safety, community, and support from our providers.

'Overall, the gender diverse community of Tauranga is working towards healing along with our sibling organisation who we shared that building with, RainbowYOUTH.”

Einstein Hale. Supplied photos.

Einstein says the organisation started in that building in 2020.

They say their community members were the ones who sanded down the walls, painted it, cared for it, cried and healed with in, and found their takatāpui family within it.

'We have had so many share the loss of the building, it feels like the loss of a second home. Sometimes a safe space is more than just a space.

'The first arson attack against our building, when it was just our organisation in there, felt terrible, though luckily it was put out quickly.

'Unfortunately this time, someone succeeded in destroying a safe space for marginalised people.”

Gender Dynamix serves on average about 1000 contacts every three months in Tauranga.

Einstein says they serve children 12 and under, teenagers, adults and family members.

Part of the Gender Dynamix crew in Tauranga.

The organisation runs five weekly groups and sees many individuals and their family members.

'We currently have six staff members, four of which are gender diverse.

'Community members serving their community. We are the only organisation like us in the country, right here in the BOP.”

Since the LGBTQIA+ abuse allegations at Bethlehem College, Einstein says the community has been feeling a 'great deal of stress”.

'The arson attack has in no way helped. But, we are focusing as a gender diverse and the overall LGBTQIA+ community on supporting one another during this time.

'We are lucky to have our main site untouched by the arson attack. However, I do believe RainbowYOUTH is searching for a new space.

'We informed out sibling LGBTIA+ organisation they can hold their teen support group in our main office until they find a new space.”

People wanting to know more about the Gender Dynamix organisation can visit their website: www.gdnz.org, or social media pages: Facebook & Instagram- genderdynamixnz

A Givealittle page has also been set up to help Gender Dynamix of Aotearoa rebuild resources and provide additional supports to the gender diverse community during this challenging and distressing time.

All money from this fundraiser will be donated to Gender Dynamix Charitable Trust. Alternatively, they are accepting donations directly via their website https://www.genderdynamix.org.nz/donations.