In line with LGBT+ History Month, your Students’ Union invited people and businesses from the LGBTQ+ community to showcase the communities and opportunities available to students.
Our LGBTQ+ Fair happened on Thursday 23rd February 2023 in the Seacole Atrium, City South Campus. Both internal and external partners were invited to promote anything LGBT+ related and there was a great buzz and interest from students and staff that visited!
Image of LGBTQ+ Fair, Officers Victor (left) and Dhanusha (right) with the Inclusive Flag, and Maisy President of LGBTQ+ Society with our BCUSU mascot: Tiger Roary
Find out more about our stall holders...
LGBTQ+ Society "We run weekly safe spaces for LGBTQ+ Students and allies. we work with the university and the Students’ Union to run campaigns and make the lived experience for Queer students better and we run events throughout the year. We’re going to be at Pride in May and our Queer Prom is coming up- check out our Instagram to find out more about that soon! " Instagram: @bcusu_lgbtq
Scratch Radio Your university student run radio station brought the great vibes and took requests for LGBTQ+ Anthems!
BCU Library "Check out our online collection and displays in the libraries. We’d love to hear your recommendations for new LGBTQ+ literature (and other inclusive material) to add to the library. Your Choice @BCULibrary is the chance for staff and students suggest material such as books, ebooks, sheet music, DVDs/ CDs etc. for us to purchase."
Ginger Dan Amazing local street artist bringing together members of the queer art community. Dan’s work is highly recognisable for their use of bold colours & unique characters. Their work includes murals, paintings, illustrations, drawing workshops (and more)! Instagram: ginger_dan, Facebook: Ginger Dan
Boot Women "We’re a women’s walking group, lesbian led- predominately lesbians but all women are welcome. Based in Birmingham and surrounding areas. We go out on walks on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Walks range from 4 -13 miles and it’s just a chance for women to get together and go country side walking together. We’re going to iron bridge 2nd Sunday of march (around 10-12 miles) and at Mosley Bog in April- a bit shorter (about 5 miles). Contact via E-mail: hello@bootwomen.org.uk – let us know if you’d like to join our mailing list to receive details of all our walks and events. Leave a message or send a text - we will get back to you as soon as we can 07754530130."
The Nightingale Club a club in the city's Gay Village, sign up to their mailing list for the chance to win x2 VIP tickets to Birmingham Pride 2023!
Mark Coulstock, Graduate Student Services Advisor, (HELS Faculty Office) facilitated a chill out sensory space in the BCUSU Office. Students could drop in to chat with tea, coffee & biscuits, relaxing music, sensory items, sleep masks and blankets. Some of our students made full use of the eye masks on a break from their stall and popped in for a nap! More to run in the future. Mark said “It was great to see the BCUSU team and societies coming together to celebrate and support the LGBTQ++ communities. In times like this it is important to show support and unity at a time when we realise we still have a long way to go.”
We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved for their support and commitment to making it a great event!
Submit your LGBTQ+ experience: anonymous student submissions
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok to hear about our students Queer icons: @your_BCUSU
Some further comments from student and staff attendees:
“It gave the LGBTQ+ Society great exposure to a campus they don’t visit often, it brought some interesting internal and external organisations together to make them easily accessible and was really easy for students to just walk past, engage as a part of their standard day. The music from Scratch Radio really added a great atmosphere, and I was happy to be hosting!” - Ed Bullas, BSC Computing and IT
“I’m happy I was able to support the LGBTQ+ Society and raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ History Month, I think diversity does not refer to our differences but valuing each other’s difference and uniqueness. this shows we are inclusive of every community, it was good to celebrate and engage with different students at this event.” - Victor Ukor, BCUSU, Vice President Equity and Inclusion
"I loved the engagement that we received from student’s and educating each other about our identities respectfully." -Simranvir kaur, BCUSU, Vice President Academic Experience
“I’ve enjoyed creating awareness and having a supportive presence as the Students’ Union, the inclusive visual representation makes people feel safer and more accepted on campus.” - Jade Langton, BCUSU Activities and Representation Co-Ordinator
“I’m really glad this is on today because it builds a sense of community around an issue that’s surrounded by invisibility and shame.” - Hannah, PHD Speech and Language Therapy
“I’ve really enjoyed seeing parts of the library collection showcased, as it’s often hidden - I didn’t know about it” - Anon
“We’ve had academic staff finding out about the library stock suggestion and they’re going to pass that on to their students.” -Library Staff
“It was amazing to see the range of LGBTQ+ books from Seacole Library, from autobiographies to graphic novels, even books for children and young adults (with teaching students in mind). As an associate staff member I’m inspired to access and use the library facilities, friendly staff explained the joining process to me. First on my list is ‘Over the Top’ by Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness! I’m also inspired to look at new ways we can encourage students to access the library services, overcoming any perceived obstacles and questions, as well as promoting the chance to suggest material via Your Choice @BCULibrary” - Becky Morris, BCUSU, Graphic Designer
“This event for LGBT+ History Month has provided a positive and educational space for LGBTQ+ groups from our Brum community to come together, celebrate each other and show students examples of inclusive external groups they can get involved with! My favourite story was from Yvonne (72), creator of Boot Women, a walking group primarily for lesbian women, was a student at BCU 40+ years ago when it was The City of Birmingham Polytechnic (before it became BCU). As lesbians at the time, they weren’t allowed to go to gay clubs- so started their own walking group to suit their active lifestyle and to avoid the hangover when playing there sport games on the weekends!” - Abbie Severn, BCUSU, Marketing Sales & Events Coordinator