CUSU LBGT Blog http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog CUSU LBGT blog Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:44:51 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 A plan for LBGT reps http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2010/04/30/a-plan-for-lbgt-reps/ http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2010/04/30/a-plan-for-lbgt-reps/#comments Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:44:51 +0000 Taz http://www.cusu-lbgt.com/blog/?p=12 Above all other roles, important as they seem in comparison, I was passionate to become the Reps Co-ordinator, a role that is about building up a network of LBGT reps in all Cambridge colleges. As the undergraduate LBGT officer for Selwyn College I know that the work that we do can be challenging and rewarding and it requires a lot of sensitivity. It is certainly not about creating a ‘gay subculture’ within college, which is what it can easily appear to do – but this is wrong, divisive and potentially very damaging to the struggle for acceptance and cohesion, and thus to the individuals at the mercy of our failures and achievements. College LBGT reps matter greatly because they are at the front line – if anyone knows how far Cambridge has come in terms of LBGT acceptance then college reps will, because they are the grassroots LBGT ears and voices. In your tenure as LBGT rep you may not encounter people’s personal struggles. This does not mean that there’s no problem and it probably didn’t happen by chance that a college of 500-odd students will have three queer students of which to speak, considering that one in sixteen people self-define as gay. It is not a shock that the personality and perception of a college’s LBGT officer must be contributing factors in how comfortable people feel around them and therefore how many students they are able to help. So people applying to become LBGT reps must be aware of the gravity of the role – in the way that they conduct themselves and the integrity with which they represent the queer community, they can be very influential in someone else’s life decisions whether they mean to be or not.

A mutually-supportive network of enthusiastic LBGT officers is an undeniable necessity. LBGT reps should socialise with one another and get to know one another so that they can learn an accumulating body of knowledge about welfare provision and best practice. As LBGT reps we are not a unit but we are a loose-knit circle of people who come amongst the coordination of the CUSU LBGT campaign. The central campaign can help to strengthen the capabilities of LBGT, give backing to projects and organising colleges to work together. So far, since the new year, these aims have manifested themselves in the following actions:

- More activity on the reps’ mailing list;

- An up-to-date Facebook group for reps;

- An up-to-date database of the colleges’ LBGT provisions;

- A reps’ formal at Wolfson College;

- A reps’ port & desserts evening at St. John’s College;

- A Lent term coffee shop welfare drop-in session manned by college reps.

It will take time to properly get this network functioning so that everyone can benefit from it. More things to come from me, the Reps Co-ordinator, include:

- Reps’ welfare training;

- Reps’ public speaking training;

- Official CUSU LBGT welfare handbook giving advice to LBGT reps;

- A system to enable a better, more transparent flow of communication between colleges and the CUSU LBGT campaign.

LBGT reps are essential to their colleges and indispensable to the CUSU LBGT campaign. If you have any more suggestions to improve the reps’ network then please let me know.

Taz xXx

Reps Co-ordinator

]]> http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2010/04/30/a-plan-for-lbgt-reps/feed/ 0 International Transgender Day of Remembrance http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/11/20/international-transgender-day-of-remembrance/ http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/11/20/international-transgender-day-of-remembrance/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:19:44 +0000 admin http://www.cusu-lbgt.com/blog/?p=9 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/20/transgender-day-of-remembrance/

Today is the 11th International Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The yearly event is held to recognise and remember trans people who havebeen killed through hatred or prejudice.

According to transgenderdor.org, it is estimated that 117 trans people worldwide have been murdered this year, although it is expected the actual figure is higher.

In the UK, two trans women have been murdered in the last few weeks.

Andrea Waddell was found dead in her Brighton flat on October 15th, while Destiny Lauren was found strangled at her Kentish Town, London, home on November 5th. A motive for their deaths has not yet been confirmed.

Events are being held around the world to remember them and others like them.

In London, a vigil will be held tomorrow from 2.15pm at the 52 Club, Gower Street.

]]> http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/11/20/international-transgender-day-of-remembrance/feed/ 0 Welcome Back! http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/10/05/welcome-back/ http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/10/05/welcome-back/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:12:54 +0000 admin http://www.cusu-lbgt.com/blog/?p=6 Hi everyone,

CUSU LBGT would like to welcome you to a new term and a new year. We have an exciting line up of events coming up and Anthony (communications officer) will be giving you more details through the [LISTINGS] messages.

I have two things- first is the Rendezvous relaunch this Tuesday and second is the change in the CUSU LBGT committee.

1CUSU Ents and CUSU LBGT would like to welcome you back to Cambridge’s premier weekly LBGT night.

Come down, catch up with old friends and meet new people. Chat about all the things you did in the summer over a cocktail and chill out in the comfort of Revs. Party away until the early hours to a great mix of party tunes.

Drinks start from £1.50 and a weekly changing selection of cocktails from £2.50.

10pm-2am

entry £2 before 11pm – £3 after 11pm.

Gay/straight/town/gown – all are welcome.

Don’t miss it! We look forward to seeing you there.

–
Raymond Li
CUSU LBGT President

]]> http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/10/05/welcome-back/feed/ 0 Blog established! http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/02/22/welcom/ http://www.lbgt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/blog/2009/02/22/welcom/#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:04:47 +0000 admin http://www.cusu-lbgt.com/blog/?p=1 Welcome to the new CUSU LBGT President’s Blog! Please check back regularly for updates.

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