►The highlight of the first term of the University of Essex LGBT events is “Freshers Pick and Mix”. Running throughout October there are over 7 events on different days you can attended intended to give you a taste of what the society does and allow you to check us out.

►Come to one of them or all off them there will be new and old members at every event and you will be made to feel right at home from the start.

►Last year saw a trip to the largest Gay night in Essex, a film night, Quasar and lots lots more and this year will be bigger and better!

►Check back soon for all the details and in the mean time check out our facebook group!

Also be sure to check out our facebook groups: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13598095673&ref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000145004336&ref=ts

CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13598095673&ref=ts

]]> http://essexlgbt.co.uk/http:/essexlgbt.co.uk/university-of-essex-lgbt-society-autumn-term-events/feed 0 http://essexlgbt.co.uk/http:/essexlgbt.co.uk/university-of-essex-lgbt-society-conference-conquest http://essexlgbt.co.uk/http:/essexlgbt.co.uk/university-of-essex-lgbt-society-conference-conquest#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:14:24 +0000 RobWayman http://essexlgbt.co.uk/?p=913

From 7th until Sunday 9th May, the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool hosted the largest democratic campaign for LGBT rights in Europe; the NUS LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) Conference. LGBT students and activists nationwide were given the opportunity to come together and set the direction for the campaign year ahead, attend workshops, hear inspirational speakers, network with other LGBT students and to debate and pass policy on issues that affect the LGBT population on a domestic and international level.

Seven students were elected from the University of Essex attended the conference this year to act as representatives for LGBT students at the university, five as delegates (Ashley Rudge, Robert Wayman, Jordan Cohen, Hilevi Furuly Hagen and Alice Wilson) and two as observers (Richard Butler and Emma Harding).

The conference included a series of fringe meetings, giving delegates a chance to present campaigns or discussions on certain issues topics or themes including the “Black and Minority Ethnic Fringe” and the “Labour Students” which was soon followed by the “Conservative Future Fringe”.

There was also an opportunity to find out about specific LGBT campaigns and ways to develop LGBT societies in the form of workshops run by the National LGBT committee, with topics such as sexual health campaigning and LGBT students against fascism.

In addition to the more formal events, a Love Music, Hate Homophobia event was held on the Friday night of the conference raising money for Unite against fascism, held at Liverpool Students Union, with performances from LGBT musicians, singers, DJs and other artists.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the conference this year was the fourth annual NUS LGBT Awards on Saturday, when the University of Essex LGBT Society were awarded with the Higher Education LGBT Society of the Year award in recognition of the University of Essex LGBT brand’s success.

This year through the work of the society’s executive committee and Students Union committee and officer, there has been a large membership increase, and the lack of women’s representation has been rectified, meaning that there are now more women that attend than men. Not only this, but four successful high- profile campaigns have been run on campus including 500 signatures being collected against the ban on gay men giving blood. This is only the tip of the iceberg on what has been achieved this year.

Robert Wayman, this year’s current Student Union LGBT Officer and next year’s society president said:

“Winning the award not only meant winning £250 towards the society but showing the UK that University of Essex has the Best LGBT society in any UK university and hopefully will attract even more LGBT students to the university allowing the Essex LGBT brand and society to continue to expand”

Ashley Rudge, this year’s current society president and Delegate Leader, added:

“After being short listed for HE society of the year at last year’s conference, it was a great honour to go back and win such a prestigious award this year. The LGBT society has come on in leaps and bounds this year and I would like to thank and congratulate the Students Union LGBT committee and officer, the society’s Executive Committee and every single LGBT student at Essex for making it possible.”

Although the NUS LGBT conference is setting the precedent for change and LGBT people have many new legal rights here in the UK, this is just the beginning. LGBT students still suffer from unacceptable levels of bullying throughout all levels of education and hate crime rates are still rising. The struggle for LGBT human rights in other countries as well as this one is constant and there is so much more to be done.

Syphilis/Chlamydia/HIV testingThursday 29th April – Free

It does not matter if you are (you’re) gay, str8 or bi, if you have ever had unprotected sex, you could have an STI, such as Syphilis, Chlamydia or HIV.

With testing here on campus, free and easy, you have no excuse not to go and look after your sexual health. As well as free testing their offering sexual health advice and free contraception.
Details to be confirmed – Free Entry

Saturday 1st May – LGBT Soc go to South-end and Adventure island Theme Park

With the University of Essex having a campus here, it’s time we go visit. Hopefully we can meet with some south-ender’s and have a wicked day. It’s on the sea side and with roller coasters and more. It’s no Alton towers but what else can you expect from South-end. http://www.adventureisland.co.uk
FREE Return Rail Travel to South-end and Unlimited rides wristband is £22. Leaving outside SU bar at 9am and returning home in the evening. Please let us know if you plan on attending at events@essexlgbt.co.uk.
If you are from South-end and like to meet us please get in touch.

Wednesday 5th May – OPEN MEETING – NUS LGBT Conference

Your chance to come see what we will be voting on at NUS LGBT Conference. We want to know what you think about the motions being put forward and how you would like us to vote. This is your chance to be represented nationally.
6pm – LTB – Room TBC – Free Entry
Wednesday 5th May – AGM
Chance for all paid members to come and see what the society has achieved this year and to give us your feedback. Without you there would be no society so we want to know how you feel. Also it will host the elections for next year committee, more details to follow. We need a turn out of 18 people to hold the elections, so it important for you to come along and cast your vote.
7pm – LTB – Room TBC – Free Entry

Wednesday 12th May – Film Night – Kissing Jessica Stein
With exam period starting on the Monday, we are going to start a weekly film night. Gives you the chance to come along and chill out for a few hours before heading back to do some revision!
Our first film is Kissing Jessica Stein. Sex and the single girl gets a fresh new spin in this “very funny movie”! (Joel Siegel, Good morning America) Fed up with her fruitless search for “Mr. Right” and tired of blind dates from hell, attractive journalist Jessica Stein whimsically responds to a classified ad – from Helen! Making and breaking new rules of dating as they go, the two women muddle through an earnest but hilarious courtship that blurs the lines between friendship and romantic love in this “smashing romantic comedy”
More details at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264761/
6pm – LTB – Room TBC – Free Entry

Sunday 16th May – Treasure Hunt
After the success of the Easter egg hunt with a turn out of over 20 people we decided to go event bigger and better with this second hunt! With games, challenges and a treasure hunt it is a fun filled afternoon! There will be treasure for the winning team too!
4pm – Meet in Su Food Bar – Free Entry

Wednesday 19th May – Film Night – The Birdcage
A drag club on the South Beach. Albert, Starina, the star of the show – one half of a couple with Armand. Val is Armand’s son from a long-ago heterosexual experiment, and has been raised in the Armand and Albert apartment. His intended is Barbara, daughter of the very right wing U.S. senator John Keeley, co-founder of the Coalition for Moral Order. She is bringing her family to visit Val and meet his family (her parent’s think that Armand is a Greek diplomat). Results – mix-up, pretense, and farce.
More details at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115685/
6pm – LTB – Room TBC – Free Entry

Saturday 22th May – Night Out – LGBT Soc. Go to Enigma
With Discounted entry it’s a chance to go and enjoy Colchester’s gay scene at this monthly night. More details to follow about the night soon.
9.30pm –SU BAR– £4

Wednesday 26th May – Film Night – Brokeback Mountain
In the Summer of 1963 Wyoming, two young men, Ennis a ranch hand and Jack an aspiring rodeo bull rider, are sent to work together herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain, and what had otherwise been anticipated to be a rather uneventful venture, will soon turn into an affair of love, of lust, and complications that will span through 19 years of their lives. Through marriage, through children, and through the mighty grip of societal confines and the expectations of what it is to be a man.
More details at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388795/
6pm – LTB – Room TBC – Free Entry

Wednesday 2nd June – Film Night – Kinky Boots
Charles Price may have grown up with his father in the family shoe business, but he never thought that he would take his father’s place. Yet, the untimely death of his father places him in that position, only to learn that Price & Sons Shoes is failing. While in despair at his failed attempts to save the business, Charles has a chance encounter with the flamboyant drag queen cabaret singer, Lola. Her complaints about the inadequate footwear for her work combined with one of Charles’ ex-employees, Lauren, leads to a suggestion to change the product to create a desperate chance to save the business: make men’s fetish footwear. Lola is convinced to be their footwear designer and the transition begins. Now this disparate lot must struggle at this unorthodox idea while dealing both the prejudice of the staff, Lola’s discomfort in the small town and the selfish manipulation of Charles’ greedy fiancée who cannot see the greater good in Charles’ dream.
More details at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434124/
6pm – LTB – Room TBC – Free Entry

Wednesday 9th June – Film Night – Holding Trevor
A moving and funny drama about growing up and breaking free, ‘Holding Trevor’ is the story of a beautiful and intelligent gay twenty-something (screenwriter Brent Gorski) who vows to take his life in a brand new direction. After breaking up with old-boyfriend with bad habits (Shortbus’ Jay Brannan), Trevor faces the challenge of a mature relationship with Ephram, an ambitious medical intern. Rich in emotion and detail, ‘Holding Trevor’ is an unforgettable portrait of figuring where we fit in.
More details at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0960770/
6pm – LTB – Room TBC – Free Entry

Thursday 10th June – Big Gay BBQ
With nearly all exams over and hopefully the sun shining it chance to relax and celebrate for a hectic 2 days ahead of you! Bring some drinks, a Frisbee and anything else to make the afternoon pass by!
Meet by Lakeside theatre at 2pm – Please bring £3 toward food
Please email if you plan to attend and if you’re a veggie events@essexlgbt.co.uk

Claiming our past, celebrating our present and creating our future.
In association with
History Soc. Film Soc. University of Essex. LGBT Soc.
Events Open to Staff and Student.

Monday 22nd Feb. – 6pm – LTB 9 – Film showing – ‘Milk’

Staring Oscar winning Sean Penn in the title role, this film tells the story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official in the 1960’s onwards.
Free entry to all and have the chance to win the DVD of the film at the end.

Tuesday 23rd Feb. – 6pm – LTB 4 – Film Showing – ‘If these walls could talk 2’

An Emmy Award-winning television movie, If these walls could talk 2 follows three separate storylines about lesbian couples set in the same house in three different time periods, starting in 1961 and finishing in 2000
Free entry to all and have the chance to win the DVD of the film at the end.

Wednesday 24th – 1pm – LTB 5 – lunchtime talk – “Black, White and Bi”
Dr Haidarali from The University of Essex History Department presents her talk and discussion on Bisexual Women in U.S. History. Does bisexuality have a history and what does that history look like when we examine the lives of white and African American women, many of whom maintained intimate relationships with both women and men? Can we categorize the historical gendered subject as bisexual when she (or he) did not use that name to identify their own sexual behaviours? This lecture addresses these and other questions by looking at expressions of same-sex sexuality among Black and white women across several eras in U.S. history.
Aimed and STAFF and Students is a perfect lunch time break from the office or study.

Free entry

Thursday 25th – 6.30pm – LTB 9 – The Red in the Rainbow

Some LGBT rights activists say recent reforms mean victory has been won. But liberation is about more than legal equality. Beneath the legal reforms lies the reality of oppression that gay people continue to face. The majority of working class gay people have to face institutionalized homophobia and the fear of coming out or being outed. In the meeting The Red in the Rainbow, activist and book author Hannah Dee will speak about what true sexual liberation looks like.

Free entry

Friday 26th – 6pm – LTB 9 – Film Showing – ‘Little Ashes’

Little Ashes is a 2009 Spanish-British drama film, set against the backdrop of Spain during the 20s and 30s, as three of the era’s most creative young talents meet at university and set off on a course to change their world. Luis Buñuel watches helplessly as the friendship between Salvador Dalí and the poet Federico García Lorca develops into a steamy love affair

Free entry to all and have the chance to win the DVD of the film at the end.

For more infomation and indepth timeline go too

http://www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/

Or email

EVENTS@ESSEXLGBT.CO.UK