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
Ken was asked to give a short speech on stage and congratulated the members of the LGBT for getting involved and bringing the group back to life so that the LGBT reflects and responds to the issues of LGBT students.
The Ball was an brilliant night with a champagne reception, gorgeous meal, drinks, awards ceremony with performances from societies such as Singer Songwriters, Bellydance and Drama, and also the after-party in Cafe Mondial. The most awards for any society went to St John's Ambulance which Ken has also been a highly active committee member of this academic year.
I would like to personally say thank you to everyone who has taken part this year and contributed to the events we have held and particularly to Ken who has made a massive change to the LGBT and organised some fantastic events and most definitely started the ball rolling again for next academic year to take over.
There are more events planned for the Summer Term including a trip to London in Week 1, check out the Events on the bottom of the page for more information and links to Facebook.
-- Robert Cathles, Welfare & Communications Officer
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