LGBT+ History Month at UofG

Well done all on making it through the first month of 2017! I hope you got back into the flow of PG research and your New Year’s Resolutions are still holding up. But let’s focus on February now, because it’s LGBT+ History Month! Throughout the month, the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history is remembered and celebrated, as well as the development of gay rights generally. It aims to build community, provide role models, and advocate for civil rights by recalling national and international contributions to this movement in the past. UofG has a strong commitment towards promoting equality for LGBT+ students and staff. Your first stop for information is the Information for LGBT+ students page. Here, you can review the relevant Equality and Diversity Policies, read about the Gender and Sexual Diversity Groupand also find practical information such as where to find Gender Neutral Toilet and Changing Facilities on campus or how to go about changing your name or gender while at UofG. There is also an official LGBT Network for all staff and postgraduate researchers to meet for social events and networking, to discuss relevant issues, and offer support when needed. They also help University Management to stay on top of LGBT Equality & Diversity needs and requirements. For students, there is the GULGBTQ+ Student Association.

Rainbow flag

I snapped this pic on my first day at UofG, when the rainbow flag was flying too!

But at the moment, it’s all about events! You may have seen the Student Research Council’s e-mail about this, since the student bodies and societies have united to organise celebrations, remembrances, and discussions all throughout the month. For an up-to-date overview, keep an eye on their Facebook Event page. It starts at noon today with the raising of the Rainbow Flag at the University’s South Front and a launch party at Glasgow University Union by GULGBTQ+ at night. During the rest of the week there will be quizzes, movie nights, lectures, awareness talks, workshops, music, poetry, debates, and reading & writing events – whatever you’re into, they got you covered! From 20th February the Glasgow Network of the Student Christian Movement will have a week of events, too. You can follow their plans on the SCM does LGBT History Month page. Finally, Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA) are introducing weekly free gym inductions especially for the UofG LGBT+ community. These give you an overview of the Stevenson Building facilities and how to get the best out of your sports sesh with their equipment.

LGBT+

Overview of events, courtesy of the SRC. Check theirFacebook Event page for the most up to date information!

Want to read some more about LGBT+ history, organisations, end events in Scotland? I’d recommend giving the LGBT Health and Wellbeing, Stonewall Scotland and Scottish Transgender Alliance websites a visit! If you’re under 25, you may want to have a look at LGBT Youth Scotland as well. For those in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics there is a specific resource as well: LGBT-STEM. Want to stay on top on the latest equality issues and events at UofG and prefer Twitter? Follow @UofGEquality and  @GULGBTQplus.

I hope you found this a helpful overview of resources and events - if I missed anything, get in touch via the comments or over on Twitter (@UofG_PGRBlog). Enjoy LGBT+ History Month!