Last Guild Council report: the remixed version

Officer Report – June 16th

Alex Wright

LGBTQO

Last one. L

“There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.”

- Joni Mitchell

Recent Activities

• Myself, the VPW and LGBTQO elect met with Housing and Accommodation Services to discuss issues around bullying in halls. Sadly this was quite unproductive, there are many flaws within the system and it seems it would take more effort, cross-departmental effort and cost to fix it than anyone is willing to. This is a shame, especially as our relationship with the Equality and Diversity branch of Student Life is becoming stronger. I know the work on this isn’t done yet, Emma and I spoke earlier in the year about the potential of a high visibility ‘safe-space’ campaign in halls for early next academic year so the work continues.
• I attended a discussion forum created by Birmingham LGBTQ to discuss the issues facing the community about representation at Pride. It was great to see such a good turnout, especially from pub representatives and pride planners.
• I was thrilled to steward at the ‘Pride is a Protest’ event, a great communal effort spearheaded by some of Birmingham’s finest, calling against the commercialisation of Pride and advocating a real grassroots call for true liberation. Around 400 people attended. Magic.
• Unfortunately I was not able to attend (because my bloody coach broke down! Grr) but work is underway by the LGBTQ association on Freshers 2008. Makes you feel your age.
• I was chuffed to attend the meeting of the Guild’s new Autonomous Liberation Working Group. See kids, write a motion and it may well come to pass! We discussed the nature of liberation and its place at the heart of the Guild and how to make our liberation officers both accountable and representative. I’m tweaking the report Simon and Sarah have sent me as I type this and it all looks very promising. Liberation has the potential to create some of our best activists so giving it this level of attention and looking at its future has been very useful.

So what did we do this year?

• Raised hundreds of pounds via Homophobia is Gay 2 for training and campaigning. The Biggest, Best and Baddest LGBTQ event we’ve ever had.
• Won NUS LGBT Campaign of the year and saw Birmingham alumnus Lucy Brookes win a position on the NEC.
• Met with the university to discuss issues facing LGBTQ students in halls and in applying for accommodation.
• Changed our representation to make it leaner, meaner and more effective.
• Submitted policy to NUS LGBT conference.
• Ran a great range of events and socials.
• Saw our activists go beyond the Guild and create a real grassroots community campaign, already spawning a tribute for Manchester pride.
• Ran activism academies with WMANUS and took 10 activists to be trained at an NUS LGBT liberation event.
• Worked to see autonomous liberation on the agenda.
• Saw our policy of Trans accessibility actualised with Gender Neutral Toilets on Phase 1 of the Guild redevelopment to be carried out over the summer.
• Scared James Long.

• And more… I’m tired. I’m writing this at 2 a.m.

The Other Bit

Us non-sabbs don’t get farewell speeches but I’d feel amiss if I didn’t write something. Well, writing it down means the Indy chairs can edit it though. Still I’m not sure everyone gets how amazing the Indy chairs are. Will is just lovely, Fabs is a legend in several known universes and Hannah has balanced all this with a demanding post-grad course, her own election campaign and a job yet still has time to meet you for a drink. I would not have survived this year without Emma O’Dwyer and Charmian Werren who have been my best mates and worst enemies. Sometimes you need a slap to look at where you’re really at and sometimes you need that pick me up. I love them both a lot. Elaine Bagshaw is the best heterosexual the LGBTQ has ever had. Gaz Hughes and Sabrina Francis both helped me out loads last summer when I had no idea how anything worked. Sarah Bolt has been an amazing advocate for liberation and remembers the LGBTQ where others may forget. Kiran Rashid rocks my socks. All LGBTQ committee members for their dedication and general amazing-ness. Ben Whitehouse for beign a great port of call when things seemingly ground to a halt. To be honest I’m disappointed with how I handled this year, with the health and family issues I’ve had and their impact on my academic work I feel I should have known when to put myself first and realise when I wasn’t being effective. I’m proud of what has happened though and know that Emma will deliver in the upcoming year with a fierce passion known only to the Irish. Sorry to those I’ve missed out; again… tired. Now it’s 2:30am!

Thanks to everyone who put their faith in me, voted for me and has let me have this opportunity. Sometimes good things to happen to gay, northern, ginger Jews. Never take freedoms or equality for granted. There is so much more to do.

Peace out.

Alex

x.