LGBT+ REP GUIDE
CONTENTS
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2.
3.
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6.
7.
Welcome and job description
The LGBTa
Representation
Campaigns
College Representative Committee
Welfare
Tips from old reps and handover documents
WELCOME
Firstly, congratulations on being elected as your college’s LGBT+ rep this year! My name is Jo and I am this year’s
President of the Durham LGBT Association. I’m writing this (unofficial) guide to give you a hand this year – I think it’s
important that you know what support there is for you while you do your job (and also your degree). I hope you find
it useful, and if you have any questions please feel free to email me at lgbta@durham.ac.uk.
JOB DESCRIPTION
a) A minimum of one LGBT+ representative will exist in each college.
b) Shall be elected or appointed in the appropriate manner by the respective College Representative Bodies in
the third term, wherever possible.
c) Are required to make themselves known to the association and to attend LGBTa College Representative
Committee a minimum of once a term. Bringing successors to the last one of the term.
d) They are required to promote both the Association and the interests of LGBT+ students at a college level, to
make the college more accessible.
i. LGBT+ students include, but are not limited to: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, pansexual,
asexual, intersex, non-binary and sexuality/ gender questioning individuals. This is regardless
of ethnicity, gender identity, political affiliation or religion.
e) To feedback any issues effecting LGBT+ students to the Association Executive Committee.
f)
To acquire or previously have relevant Welfare experience, such as the Nightline Training Weekend or
Welfare Training made available by the College and attend an Introductory Welfare Information session
provided by the Association.
g) Provide an effective handover document for successors.
h) Preferably identify as LGBT+, though this is not a requirement.
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THE LGBTa
“The Durham Student Union LGBT Association is a group that aims to
provide socials, representation, campaigns and welfare services for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, trans* and all other students at Durham University who define
themselves under the LGBT umbrella including, but not limited to, those on
the asexual spectrum and those questioning their sexuality or gender identity.”
LGBTa EXEC
LGBTa NON-EXEC
President: Joanna Gower
Vice President: Kieran Atter
Secretary: Alexandra Thomas
Welfare Officer: Molly Smith
Assistant Welfare: Position Vacant
Social Secretary: Position Vacant
Publicity and Media Officer: Steven Williams
Finance and Sponsorship Officer: Maria Burton
Campaigns Officer: Harriet Haugvik
Queens Campus Officer: William Rose
Allies Rep: Zana Lah
Asexual Rep: Alex Kingdon
Bisexual Rep: Fred Banks
Ethnic Minorities Rep: Position Vacant
International Rep: Position Vacant
Junior Welfare: Will Emery & Abigail Weinstock
LGBT People of Faith Rep: Paul Cohen
Poly Rep: Maria Burton
Postgraduate and Mature Students Rep: Kieran Atter
Students with Disabilities Rep: Joanna Gower
Trans* Rep: Bethan Nye
Any of these people can be contacted for advice and students with specific concerns can be signposted towards the
relevant reps. As always, if you’re not sure, email the Welfare Officer or President by email for more information.
SOCIALS
Safe-space socials are run in the Kingsgate Bar in the Student Union every Monday night after the exec meeting
(which is open to all at 7pm in the LGBTa office in the Student Union) from 8pm, after which most people head to
Osbourne’s Bar for the weekly Pride nights. Safe-space socials are confidential, we can’t tell anyone who turned up,
and are in an environment that the LGBTa exec has control over. Anyone not adhering to the guidelines for
appropriate and welcoming behaviour (including homophobia/transphobia) may be removed to ensure the safety
and comfort of the LGBTa service users.
Note: the nights at Osbourne’s are not run by the LGBTa – that means that it is not a ‘safe space ‘social – we
can’t kick out any misbehavers!
There are also trips to Newcastle’s Pink Triangle which are advertised by email and on the Facebook group.
Durham is an environment with many LGBTQ+ students – we think it’s really important that they have a space where
they can be themselves and meet like-minded people. We really encourage all of you to come down to the socials
and bring your friends (yes, even straight allies!) and help create an inclusive and accepting atmosphere for everyone.
Some less confident students may find it helpful if their college rep were available to walk them down to the socials
from college each week.
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REPRESENTATION
Agender – those without a gender (nongendered, genderless, agender; neutrois); moving between genders or with a
fluctuating gender identity (genderfluid); third gender or other-gendered; includes those who do not place a name
to their gender, genderqueer.
Asexual spectrum – those who do not experience sexual attraction. Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality
is an intrinsic part of who we are. There is considerable diversity among the asexual community, each asexual person
experiences things like relationships, attraction, and arousal somewhat differently.
Bisexual –those who are attracted to both males and females (also see pansexual: attraction to attractive people
regardless of gender. Like bisexual but acknowledges that some people don’t identify as a binary gender).
Gay – those who are attracted to the same gender, usually used to refer to men, but can be used to refer to women.
International LGBTQ+ students – those who are not a citizen or permanent resident of the UK.
Intersex – those who are born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions
of female or male.
Lesbian – those who are attracted to the same gender, usually used to refer to women.
Non-binary – those who do not identify as exclusively male or exclusively female. “Non-binary is a term for people
who are not men or women, or are both men and women, or who are something else entirely, or are some
combination of these things, or some of these things some of the time.”
Polyamorous – those who engage in relationships that are non-monogamous, consisting of more than two people.
Postgraduate and mature LGBTQ+ students – those who are either studying a postgraduate degree or who are over
the age of 21 at the start of their studies.
Queer - 1) An umbrella term sometimes used by LGBTQ+ people to refer to the entire LGBT community. 2) An
alternative that some people use to "queer"/blur the idea of the labels and categories such as lesbian, gay, bisexual,
etc. Similar to the concept of genderqueer. It is important to note that the word queer is an in-group term, and a
word that can be considered offensive to some people, depending on their generation, geographic location, and
relationship with the word.
Questioning – those unsure of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
LGBTQ+ students of ethnic minorities – those who are an ethnic minority in the UK.
LGBTQ+ students of faith – those who belong to a religion or believe in a deity.
LGBTQ+ students with disabilities – those with physical, mental or learning disabilities, including those with chronic
illnesses and mental health conditions.
Trans* - This term has many definitions. It is frequently used as an umbrella term to refer to all people who do not
identify with their assigned gender at birth or the binary gender system. This includes transsexuals, cross-dressers,
genderqueer individuals, drag kings, drag queens, two-spirit people (whose bodies house both masculine and
feminine identities), and others. Some transgender people feel they exist not within one of the two standard gender
categories, but rather somewhere between, beyond, or outside of those two genders. A person whose gender
identity is different from their biological sex, who may undergo medical treatments to change their biological sex,
often times to align it with their gender identity, or they may live their lives as another sex.
(Any person who isn’t cisgender and heterosexual, except allies, who we appreciate too).
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CAMPAIGNS
In some colleges, it is the role of the LGBT+ rep to run campaigns to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues such as
homo/bi/trans*phobia and equal rights.
The Association also runs campaigns which we would encourage all reps to help spread through their colleges, and
work with us to improve. These campaigns could include those such as:
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the “So What?” campaign,
Love Durham Hate Homophobia,
Out In Sport,
the Durham Sports Charter,
awareness of asexual erasure,
awareness of “conversion therapies” and their dangers,
the promotion of non-heteronormative sex education in primary and secondary schools
and the inclusion of gender education,
the promotion of sexual health services such as testing for STIs like HIV,
domestic violence awareness campaigns,
awareness of the mental health risks of those in the LGBTQ+ community,
promotion of gender-neutral toilets in public spaces,
and fundraisers for LGBTQ+ focussed charities.
We look forward to working with you this year to cause a permanent change to the students of Durham, no matter
their sexual orientation or gender.
One of the biggest events on the LGBTQ+ calendar is LGBT History Month which takes place in February. We will be
organising events at key points such as self-defence workshops, talks, film nights and coffee afternoons. For more
general information please visit http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk.
If you have any questions or ideas about campaigns you would like to see, please email us.
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COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE
The college representative committee is formed by the reps from each college, plus members of the LGBTa executive
committee. They are mandated to meet at least once a term to discuss relevant issues seen throughout the
university, and ways of addressing them. These meetings need not be very formal, but they should be taken
seriously.
The aims of the CRC are to feed information back to the Association executive regarding the welfare, feelings and
situations of LGBTQ+ students in all colleges and to agree upon the most effective way for the reps to promote the
Association within their colleges.
It is strongly advised that all reps attend all JCR meetings within their respective college. It is impossible to provide a
voice for the LGBTQ+ students if you are not there to amend or oppose any motions that may conflict with their
interests.
If LGBTQ+ students are facing particular issues within colleges it is the reps’ duty to report these issues back, even if
they have been resolved by the college, so that measures can be taken to stop them from occurring again.
If the college has not resolved the issue independently, the Association executive committee can work together with
the reps and Communities Officer to come up with (and execute) a possible solution.
We feel that it is important for the LGBT+ reps to form the foundation of an LGBTQ+ community within the
university which we hope will spread and become the strong and supportive network it has the potential to be. This
means we want you to get to know each other, come along to the socials and work with us to improve the Durham
LGBTa.
This committee is responsible for letting the Association executive committee know what the students want, and
therefore ensuring that everyone gets the most out of the LGBTa as possible. You are the voice of the people – let’s
make this a damn good year.
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WELFARE
Open-door session times in the LGBTa office in the Student Union Building with Molly who can be contacted via
email on the welfare account. Requests can be made for a specific Welfare Officer once the Welfare Assistant has
been elected if it is an issue you would prefer to share with someone of a particular gender. If the time/place of the
open-door sessions is not convenient, you may also email to arrange a more suitable meeting.
If these contact hours could be advertised in your respective colleges through your welfare team or via
posters/emails it would be much appreciated.
All welfare services are discrete and strictly confidential unless the individual is of serious risk to themselves or others.
As LGBT+ reps it is not your job to provide welfare in college, unless approved by your college welfare officer(s) with
the correct training. Advice must not be given under any circumstances for legal reasons as well as for the health and
security of those with whom you are interacting.
Welfare officer (female identifying): Molly Smith – welfare@durhamlgbta.org.uk
Assistant welfare officer (male identifying): Position Vacant
Junior welfare officers: Will Emery (male identifying) & Abigail Weinstock (female identifying)
Other welfare trained exec members: Joanna Gower (genderqueer), Steven Williams (male identifying)
SEX
Information on sexual health can be found in copious amounts, but finding LGBTQ+ specific information can be more
difficult. The welfare team is here to help with that – we have leaflets and supplies specific to the needs of our
service users without any of the awkwardness associated with asking straight people about queer sex issues.
We are able to provide condoms, dental dams and lube free of cost and on the spot at any one of our open-door
sessions or at a pre-arranged time such as the Monday socials. Just drop us an email.
SUPPORT
The welfare team are a confidential listening and signposting service who are able to help students find the help they
need from the right people. The issues we can help face include academic ones, personal ones, emotional ones, and
issues caused by disability or physical impairment. We are there to provide an entirely non-judgmental and nonbiased ear; you won’t be laughed at or told that your problems are silly. If they’re making you feel unhappy, they are
worth talking about.
We would ask all reps to spread this message amongst the students of their colleges because welfare is a key aspect
of what the LGBTa is. LGBTQ+ individuals face some of the highest levels of mental illness seen across any
demographic – it is very important to know that someone is there to listen and help you work out the best path to
take.
The welfare team have access to all sorts of published materials such as books, films about LGBTQ+ issues, leaflets
from charitable organisations and health services, information on different sexualities, genders and relationships,
and facts about the legal rights of LGBTQ+ people (including how to report hate-crimes). If in doubt, send us an email,
and we will respond.
It is also possible to specifically request either a female or a male identifying welfare officer for those who would feel
more comfortable talking to a person who identifies that way.
The welfare team would also ask that you, as reps, take care of yourselves as an absolute priority. You cannot help
or represent others effectively if you are struggling – we’ve got your backs.
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TIPS FROM OLD REPS
Max Healey – Josephine Butler
“The 2 events I put on had varying degrees of success but were also completely different. Both entitled LGBTa and
Biscuits to entice people then we all just sat around and discussed the general LGBT+ scene or lack of in Durham.
And also things like coming out stories but it ended up being general chat. The second event was also with tea and
biscuits but this time was a screening of the film Milk… If I were still LGBT+ rep I would probably call upon the games
I incorporate into my classes at the moment and make some kind of activity… Whilst the LGBTA is accessible I think it
comes across as quite insular and cliquey so for this reason I think the LGBT+ reps need to act more as ambassadors
for the LGBTA as well as a welfare role. If attendance of LGBT+ reps at socials etc. were more mandatory this would
create a more open and welcoming vibe in terms of the image of the Association.”
Henry Sawczyc – Grey
“Communicate well with all of college (not just the LGBT+ lot). Welcome all who show interest and answer all
questions sincerely and discretely if needed. Stress that LGBT+ events aren’t just for gay people, but all who want to
come and show support or who are curious. Be prepared to deal with some people messaging you personally asking
for help or information. Be prepared to have poorly attended events, despite how interesting they are, people are
busy or too nervous to come.”
Adam Jarvis – Trevelyan
“My best advice would be to talk to and work with the other college reps. You’re representing a minority group and
unfortunately the nature of that means there won’t be many people so working with other college reps is a good
way to reach more people and make events better attended. Henry and I put on a joint LGBT+ film night last year
which was fairly well attended, popcorn and other food helped. I’d also suggest talking to the people who you’ll be
working with in college – other reps, the welfare team, etc. as well as actually attending the LGBTa events and
socials. Offer to walk new/shy students down to the LGBTa events, walking there/turning up alone can be one of
the main reasons people aren’t interested and it’s an easy way to get to know someone and for them to know they
can actually talk to you. If there isn’t one already, set up an LGBT+ Facebook group for your college (and if there is
one already, use it). Even if it’s just a place to share news articles and publicise about events, it’s a good way for
students to get to know one another and form a community. Just because LGBT+ is a minority group, doesn’t mean
they have to be isolated. In Trevs, the LGBT+ rep is part of Welfare so I had weekly drop-ins and whilst they weren’t
always well attended, I wanted to continue them so that LGBT+ students knew someone was there if they wanted to
talk. Finally, Stonewall is amazing – spend some time browsing their website and as long as you don’t order too many
(they say how many you can order without paying), you can get lots of free posters, postcards and other resources.”
HANDOVER DOCUMENTS
When the time comes to elect a new LGBT+ rep, we feel it is important that you write up a handover document, so
that they’re not left having no idea what to do. This is a recommended structure for a handover document, though its
relevancy may depend on the structure of your college.
1. Include the job description from the standing orders
2. Make sure your successors are aware of any social media accounts you or your college has set up, and
that they have the log-in details
3. Outline college-specific things which may not be in the standing orders (e.g. in Trevelyan the LGBT+ rep
has a large role in running campaigns)
4. Include links to any resources you’ve found helpful, such as
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/what_we_do/ordering_resources/default.asp and rainbow ribbon which
can be bought in the market for 35p per metre
5. Highlight the importance of them not giving any advice, and what sign-posting is
6. Remind them that they should attend Nightline training
7. Make sure they know the people within college they can get support from – this role can be taxing on
you guys, too
8. Include any extra advice that you would have found useful, or tips that you have for the successors
Please bring your successors along to the last College Rep meeting of term (if they have been elected) so they can
meet all the new people they have been working with and have a Q and A session about their upcoming role.
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