Friday 5 October 2012
Freshers Fair 2012
Thanks to all those who came to our Freshers Fair stall!
We had an amazing turn out and everyone had loads of fun, especially Zanna Joyce (Welfare Rep) and Scott Daniels (Events/Socials Rep) as pictured above! :D
Wednesday 3 October 2012
Hello and Welcome to all new and returning students!
We've got loads of great events coming up this term:
Socials
Welcome Get- Together
3pm Sunday 14th October
This will be a chance to get to know knew people and catch up with others on campus. There'll be games, refreshments and great laughs!!
Rainbow Rubix Cube Night Out
8pm Thursday 18th October
We will be having our first night out of the year, kicking off at Park Bar on campus at 8pm then heading on to The Wynford Arms, The Rising Sun, and finally Propaganda for those that fancy it. Come in rainbow colours and clothes that you don't mind swapping!
Meal at Zizi's
Tuesday 30th October
Coffee Hours
Starting from Thursday 18th October we will be running coffee hours every Monday and Thursday from 1-2pm in The Lounge, behind the Students Union building. These are a great opportunity to meet and chat with other LGBT students. They are informal events so feel free to bring your lunch with you and any games you’d like to play. There'll be a different activity every Thursday coffee hour.
Student Feedback Session
Thursday 18th October
This will be a chance to let the committee know what you would like the LGBT Group to do and what you are passionate about changing.
Coming Out Workshop
Thursday 25th October
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today is however a day to create change!
RUSU LGBT President and RUSU LGBT Part Time Officer
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Ken Smailes and Sophie Longley |
Sophie x
Ken Smailes |
Ben Cohen - With Ken Smailes, Karl Hobley and Ben Rider |
Tuesday 10 April 2012
Societies' Ball
In previous years while I've been attending UoR the LGBT has been a fully run society like any of the other societies, however for the past couple of years RUSU has reorganised and changed it into a Liberation & Representation Group. So normally the LGBT would not have been considered for any awards, however on this occasion RUSU felt that the LGBT group deserved a special mention because of the hard work done by all of the LGBT group this year including the committee, its members and most importantly Ken Smailes, the LGBT President and RUSU Part-Time Officer.
Karl Hobley, RUSU President gave the LGBT a special mention on behalf of Steph Johnson, Vice President for Welfare & Representation and mentioned the significant turnaround that the LGBT has made this year with events such as:
- Antidote, LGBT's first union social
- LGBT History Month
- Film showings of LGBT films including Anne Lister and Milk
- Raising awareness and getting people talking about Stonewall's 'Some People Are Gay, Get Over It!' campaign
- The very popular and well attended marriage legalisation debate (which was also recorded by RU:ON)
- Visiting Amersham & Wycombe College for a Q&A to students on LGBT issues
- Public lectures by staff on LGBT history
- Weekly coffee/lunch hour
- Buddy scheme
- Staff training on LGBT
- Trip to National Student Pride at Brighton
- And much more
Wednesday 29 February 2012
Student Pride Trip
Hi Folks,
About time I dipped my toe into this blogging malarkey.
Last weekend I took a group of 14 down to Brighton for National Student Pride, a fantastic event that is held every year at the end of February or the beginning of March. We took a minibus down and made it in time for a meal before heading out to the ‘Pre-Pride Party,’ a wonderful welcome to Brighton! On Saturday 25th February, there was the main event, with a stalls and job fair giving out loads of freebies (got more than my fair share of free condoms I can tell you), a panel debate with a very interesting mix of celebrities, a question and answer session with the cast of My Transexual Summer and live music.
Peter Tatchell (LGBT rights campaigner), Dan Sells (from the Feeling), John Amaechi (psychologist and former NBA player), Steven Davies (England international Cricketer), James Wharton (openly gay soldier), Jane Hill (BBC news icon) and Sophie Ward (actress) discussed issues ranging from gay marriage and homophobia in sport to trans representation and women in business. Really interesting and easily the best panel in the last three years that I have been.
I even managed to catch some of the rugby as well, so I was kept happy. Until Williams’ try of course.
Anyway… The event culminated in a great big party in the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and much fun was had by all. By the time we all trooped onto the minibus on Sunday afternoon we were more than a little tired. I encourage you to get involved with the LGBT here at Reading and make sure you get on the trip to Student Pride next year!
David
Sunday 12 February 2012
This week I was lucky enough to be able to take some of the LGBT committee and Emily Collins, a member of RUSU staff over to Amersham and High Wycombe College for a brilliant event that they were putting on. The college as part of it's LGBT History Month Events organised a question and answer/debate on sexuality and everything it involved and we had been invited along to be the panel receiving these questions.
We had been warned that the students were possibly a little challenging and their questions proved to be just that. After working our way through the obvious questions relating to coming out, when we knew we were homosexual etc, we were then asked what are religion was. This was then followed by a statement along the lines, don't you know that your sexuality is condemning the world.The gentlemen that aired this view was from a very religious background and had been taught to believe this and it was truly brilliant to be able to question is reasoning for thinking this and his perception of sexuality. Another interesting and thought provoking point was whether it was right to bring up a child in a same sex relationship when they are undoubtedly going to be bullied at some point due to their parents sexuality. This is a very valid question and is very personal to a lot of the LGBT community, but as long as they are brought up in a loving and caring family surely that is all they need!
One of the main points that the students seemed to really get out of the event was that sexuality is not a choice, it is who you are and it is ok whatever you define as! There is nothing wrong with it. It was a brilliant and really encouraging event and really made a lot of people question their views on sexuality.
Thursday 26 January 2012
HI Everyone
So it has been a busy old week in Reading University LGBT! We are currently looking for a new LGBT officer, I will be stepping down from my position in the Summer Term and need someone to take over the role. The other day we were lucky enough to have a visit from Alan Bailey one of the co-presidents of NUS LGBT and he gave some much needed advice to hopeful candidates. He is also working with us at the moment to see whether we can provide some diversity and equality training to members of University Staff, which is very exciting.
If anyone is interested in going forward for the role of LGBT officer then you need to apply ASAP as it all closes on Monday 31st of Jan. You can not apply if your a final year and you need to define as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans. Here is the link with all the info:
http://www.rusu.co.uk/campaignsanddemocracy/democracy/lib_and_rep_groups/
Trust me it is a brilliant and worthwhile role!
Sunday 15 January 2012
Welcome to the Reading University LGBT Blog and my first ever post! Through this blog we hope to keep you all update with the happenings of Reading University LGBT and the happenings of the committee.
Can I just say the blog is also a brilliant way to keep up to dates with the events we are putting on, if you scroll to the bottom of this page there is a google calender that has all the information you will ever need.
One of the main things I have been working on over the holidays is LGBT History Month. Every February events happen throughout the country celebrating the diverse history of the LGBT community and this year we are putting on a series of exciting events! These include a public debate that relates to everyone, Should Gay Marriage Be Legal? This is a question that divides opinion within the gay, religious and heterosexual community. On the 16th of February you can have your say, this event will be run in a 'Question Time' format and there will be multiple opportunities for you to put forward your point of view.
Finally the last thing to say is get involved and follow this blog!
Thanks
Ken - LGBT President and RUSU LGBT Student Officer