THEGAYUK

Tag: University

All the latest breaking news on University. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on University.

  • Gay Male Reps To Be “Dropped” From LGBT Societies At University

    Gay male students will no longer have a “reserved” space for a representative at their University after NUS LGBT+ calls for gay men representatives to drop their positions claiming cis white gay men do not face discrimination.

    CREDIT: ©-pressmaster / Depositphotos.com
    CREDIT: ©-pressmaster / Depositphotos.com

    FILE PHOTO

    Gay male students in the UK’s University system are facing the prospect of not having a representative at their LGBT+ society after the NUS LGBT+ voted to abolish  a reserved space for gay male reps.

    It also called for current gay male representatives to relinquish their role if it already exists within a LGBT+ society.

    A reserved space for a representatives will remain for lesbian, bisexual, trans and asexual reps, however gay male representatives will no-longer be mandatory after claiming that misogyny, transphobia, racism and biphobia were more likely to happen if societies were “dominated” by white cis gay men.”

    No evidence was submitted to prove its claim.

    Last year the NUS said that gay white men were no longer allowed to ‘appropriate’ black female behaviour.

    The resolution to remove gay men’s reps was made in motion 408, Defending Safe(r) spaces and No Platforming.

     

    ALSO READ: COMMENT | Militant Left Wing LGBT Student Extremists Are Destroying Free Speech

     

     

    It made the moves after it stated:

    Gay men do not face oppression as gay men within the LGBT+ community and do not need a reserved place on society committees.

    The conference resolved that they would “encourage” LGBT+ societies that have a gay man’s rep to “drop the position”.

    Officers For All.

    CREDIT: ©-katukphoto1 / Depositphotos.com
    CREDIT: ©-katukphoto1 / Depositphotos.com

    During the conference students did however vote on Motion 407, “LGBT+ Officers For All” in which it called upon NUS LGBT+ to encourage and empower students to demand LGBT+ representation.

    TheGayUK reached out to NUS LGBT+ for comment.

  • COMMENT | Militant Left Wing LGBT Student Extremists Are Destroying Free Speech

    How Militant Left Wing LGBT Student Extremists Are Destroying Free Speech, Freedom of Expression and the LGBT Movement

    There’s a situation that has been brewing for some time. Something dark, nasty, and disturbing that is threatening free speech and the LGBT movement. It’s a movement that genuinely concerns me as someone who has dedicated my life to equality campaigning.

    This worrying militant left wing LGBT student extremist crusade ruining free speech, freedom of expression and the LGBT movement first caught my eye when the National Union of Students (NUS) banned gay men from behaving like black women and dragging up in case it offends people of colour and trans people. After that it was the news that Edinburgh University has banned cross dressing and camp costumes at Halloween in case such costumes offend people. Thirdly, we move on to the rising prevalence of universities no-platforming speakers who hold views that some could deem offensive.

    Two such examples of this are Germaine Greer and Milo Yiannopoulos. Personally, I do not agree with Greer or Yiannopoulos’ views on trans people. I feel their views are outdated and offensive. However, I do not believe that they should be silenced due to their views. As long as they are not inciting violence or hatred of trans people, their right to free speech should be maintained. Attempting to silence people because their views do not align with yours is not the way to go about things. Surely it is better to allow those people a platform and challenge them with reasoned debate than to behave in a way that infringes on the precious free speech that many of these militant left wing LGBT student extremists claim they want to have and preserve.

    ADVERT
    [adinserter block=”1″]

     

    I’ve been on the receiving end of it myself in recent times. As leader of an LGBT charity and director of Warwickshire Pride, I’m used to enduring a bit of trolling online from time to time. However, nothing had prepared me for the torrent of harassment and abuse I received from Warwick University students at the tail end of last year.

    In response to a rise in hate crimes against LGBT people in my local area, I organised the Leamington Spa Equality Rally. Its purpose was to highlight the issue of hate crime, the problem of hate crime under-reporting, and to bring the community together. Local politicians and the Police were invited along to support the rally, which they did. It was well attended by local people and achieved what it set out to do.

    Unfortunately, there were a number of local university students who objected to the police being allowed to attend the rally. They claimed that the police actively murder trans people and aggressively insisted that I ban the police from all local LGBT events.

    My belief is that it’s important for police to have an active, engaging presence at Pride festivals and LGBT events. Rather than it being about policing the events and harassing the LGBT community, it’s actually about positive community engagement and solidarity with LGBT people.

    Sadly, that’s not something the university students were willing to accept and they embarked on a hate campaign against me. The campaign included many untruths about me written online and a statement released on their university LGBT society website that claimed I am not fit to run an LGBT organisation because I am white and not trans. The statement came with a list of demands, but unfortunately for them I do not bow to demands and do not negotiate with extremists. Reasoned debate is more my thing.

    Another individual who has recently had difficulties with extremists is legendary human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. He believes in free speech, even when people’s views oppose his own. Like me, he feels that it is better to challenge people with debate rather than act to silence them. Due to Peter Tatchell’s views, the NUS’ LGBT representative, Fran Cowling, refused to attend an event unless Peter Tatchell was banned.

    She claimed that Tatchell is racist and transphobic. Having met Peter and being well aware of his work, I don’t believe for a second that is true. Looking at his record of campaigning will tell you all you need to know about him. Sadly, Tatchell did not speak at the event and said that it was an example of “a witch hunting, accusatory atmosphere” that is indicative of a decrease in “open debate on some university campuses”.

    I entirely agree.

    So what’s the solution? I really don’t know. Seeking to silence the militant left wing LGBT student extremist movement is not the answer, but it is a cause for concern and I sincerely hope that the NUS begins to see sense at some point in the near future. Freedom of speech and expression must be protected and cherished.

     

    @MrDanielBrowne

     

    The opinions expressed in this comment piece may not reflect those of the management or editorial of THEGAYUK. If you’d like to write a comment or column for THEGAYUK click here.

  • Students Book Out Theatre Just To Walk Out On Katie Hopkins

    Students at Brunel University have found a unique way of showing that they don’t appreciate Katie Hopkins.

    Wannabe Gay Icon Katie Hopkins has found out exactly what students at Brunel University think of her as one by one they stood up and turn their backs on her.

    As the footage shows from inside the auditorium at Brunel University, as soon as the former Apprentice andCelebrity Big Brother star started to speak about the welfare state, many students stood up and faced the back of the room.

    Major Awks…

    After she finished talking the majority left the hall.

    Yesterday Michelle Visage revealed that the pair who formed a friendship during their time on CBB have fallen out after Hopkins snubbed her tweets and texts.

  • University Awarded £50,000 To See Whether Calling Toilets “Gents” Or “Ladies” Is Discriminatory

    A research team from Sheffield Hallam University have been awarded nearly £50,000 to discover whether the terms “Gentlemen” “Ladies” and “Men’s Toilets” are accessible.

    The award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council is to fund research on the way public toilets are designed, ” in an effort to assess if they are fit for purpose for the UK’s diverse 21st Century society.”

    Led by Sheffield Hallam University’s Dr Jenny Slater, the Around The Toilet project is looking at the lack of adequate or accessible toilet provision for disabled and transgender people, amid fears that definitions such as “Gentlemen” “Ladies” and “Men’s Toilets” are out-dated and discriminatory.

    Dr Slater, from Sheffield Hallam University’s new Sheffield Institute of Education, will lead a project team including the University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, Action for Transgender Health, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP) and Queer Of The Unknown Arts Collective on the nine-month project.

    She said,

    “Toilets may seem a frivolous subject but they are at the heart of important discussions about how we understand our own identities. The starting point for us is to explore how disabled people and those identifying as trans, gender-queer or non-binary are treated in modern society.

    “As well as issues around toilet closures we have much anecdotal evidence that suggests there is a lack of suitable facilities for our diverse population.

    “This project will also consider issues of race, ethnicity, age, religion, faith and homelessness through reflective storytelling, creative arts and performance.”

    Along with the announcement of their research, Dr Slater has also encouraged members of the public to post their experiences of toilets in Sheffield and beyond.

  • If You’re A White Gay Male Student, Don’t Act Like A Black Woman – It’s Policy

    The UK National Union of Students has passed a policy which means that white gay men must stop appropriating black female culture.

    It is being reported that delegates at the Women’s Conference today passed a motion makes it against policy to snap, click or sashay away, or generally act in any way that can be attributed to black women.

    Submitted by the NUS LGBT Committee the motion reads:

    503: ‘Dear White Gay Men: Stop Approprirating [sic] Black Women’.

    The appropriation of Black women by white gay men is prevalent within the LGBT scene and community.

    1. This may be manifested in the emulation of the mannerisms, language (particularly AAVE- African American Vernacular English) and phrases that can be attributed to Black women. White gay men may often assert that they are “strong black women” or have an “inner black woman”.
    1. White gay men are the dominant demographic within the LGBT community, and they benefit from both white privilege and male privilege.
    1. The appropriation of Black women by white gay men has been written about extensively. This quote is taken from Sierra Mannie’s TIME piece entitled: “Dear white gays, stop stealing Black Female culture”:

    “You are not a black woman, and you do not get to claim either blackness or womanhood. There is a clear line between appreciation and appropriation. I need some of you to cut it the hell out. Maybe, for some of you, it’s a presumed mutual appreciation for Beyoncé and weaves that has you thinking that I’m going to be amused by you approaching me in your best “Shanequa from around the way” voice. I don’t know. What I do know is that I don’t care how well you can quote Madea, who told you that your booty was getting bigger than hers, how cute you think it is to call yourself a strong black woman, who taught you to twerk, how funny you think it is to call yourself Quita or Keisha or for which black male you’ve been bottoming — you are not a black woman, and you do not get to claim either blackness or womanhood. It is not yours. It is not for you.”

    The conference, believes, that “This type of appropriation is unacceptable and must be addressed.

    “Low numbers of Black LGBT women delegates attend NUS LGBT conference. This can be attributed to many factors, one of which may be the prevalent appropriation by white gay men, which may mean that delegates do not feel comfortable or safe attending conference.”

    In a second motion they passed the banning of cross-dressing or drag due the offence it could cause trans women.

    Speaking to GayStarNews about the policies a spokeswoman said, “We’re a democratic society, and if members voted for it, these are our policies”.

     

     

  • Northern universities top gay friendly uni report

    Four of the top 6 Universities in the UK for gay-friendly policies are Northern Universities.

    As thousands of new gay, lesbian, bi and trans students prepare for their first term at university, Stonewall has produced a league table of the best Universities in the UK for LGBT policies and practices.

    Only one of the top 6 is in the South-east, which was University of Essex.

    Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Sheffield Hallam University, University of Essex, University of Glasgow and York St John University were all commended for their policies for LGBTs.

    In Wales Stonewall scored Cardiff University full marks.

    Last year just two universities topped the list, Liverpool Hohn Moores and Cardiff, both of which scored 10/10.

    Gay By Degree 2015 measures each university against 10 criteria to show how well they support their gay students. The checklist includes whether the university has a policy to tackle homophobic bullying, whether there are societies and events for LGBT students, and what steps they take to support lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

    Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive said: ‘There are a record number of university places available this year and prospective students who are lesbian, gay or bisexual will want to study where they will be supported and developed. Particular congratulations are due to Cardiff University, the University of Essex, University of Glasgow, Liverpool John Moores University, Sheffield Hallam University and York St John University for being the only universities in Britain to score full marks.
    ‘It’s particularly concerning that only 35 universities are monitoring student’s sexual orientation leaving them no way of telling if they’re providing a positive experience for gay students. We hope that this year’s guide prompts universities to do more to make campuses a welcoming place for all students.’

    A further 11 universities met nine out of the ten criteria. Universities were assessed against the availability of information on their main or student websites so that prospective students can make an informed decision.

    Prospective students can search Gay By Degree to help inform their university options at www.gaybydegree.org.uk

  • Best Universities For Being Gay Friendly

    Stonewall today launches the fourth edition of Gay By Degree, the only guide showing how gay-friendly the UK’s 157 universities are. Gay By Degree 2014, now online at www.gaybydegree.org.uk, gives lesbian, gay and bisexual prospective students a single place to find out what each university has to offer them before they apply for places for 2014.

    Gay By Degree judges each university against 10 criteria to show how well they support their gay students. These include whether the university has a policy to tackle homophobic bullying, whether there are societies and events for gay students, and what steps they take to support gay staff.

    The average score across the sector is just 4.5. Currently only 40 universities engage with the wider community on issues affecting lesbian, gay and bisexual students, and just 27 have an anti-homophobic bullying policy accompanied by mandatory staff training. Just two universities, Liverpool John Moores and Cardiff scored 10 out of 10. The top 21 universities are all working with Stonewall through the Diversity Champions programme which helps employers to support gay staff.

    Stonewall Head of Education Wes Streeting said,

    ‘With universities charging £9,000 fees, it’s right to expect them to provide a high quality experience for all students, including those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. This year, we’ve unapologetically introduced stricter criteria to encourage universities to improve provision for students. Particular congratulations are due to Cardiff University and Liverpool John Moores University for being the only universities in Britain to score full marks.

    ‘It’s particularly concerning that only fourteen universities have diversity monitoring in place for lesbian, gay and bisexual students. If universities aren’t even counting the number of gay students, how can they assure themselves and prospective students that they are providing an inclusive experience? We hope that the findings from this year’s exercise prompts action by the higher education sector to properly monitor the experience of gay students from the point of application through to graduation.’

  • Research Plans To Investigate LGBT Students’ Experiences

    A national study which aims to explore the university experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students has been launched at Nottingham Trent University.

    (more…)