We hope you’ve had a great start to the new year, in spite of these pretty unprecedented circumstances! (A point there for anyone playing ‘use of the U word bingo’!) As LGBT History Month is just around the corner, it seems a perfect time to get in touch and let you know what’s been happening and what’s planned.
Queer Quiz Night – Sun 31 January from 6pm
Link to join: Click here to join the Queer Quiz Night
To kick off LGBT History month, we will be hosting another quiz night! It’s a little short notice… but we’re banking on you not having too many plans which may clash!
So join us this Sunday (31st January) at 6pm, along with partners, friends, housemates, bubbles and anyone else you’d care to invite! As always, dressing up for the occasion is encouraged, and make sure you have something to drink and nibble to hand!
To join the event, just click the link above when the time comes, or email us back if you’d like to be added to the calendar invite. Please also feel free to forward this to anyone at Kent you think might be interested in coming along.
LGBT in Lockdown – Wed 17 February from 6pm
Link to join: Click here to join the LGBT in Lockdown Event
We then move on Wednesday 17 February at 6pm to ‘LGBT in Lockdown’ – an event for LGBTQ+ people to share their experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will be joined by former network co-chair Dr Christin Hoene sharing her story of moving abroad mid-lockdown for a new job… and we also want to hear from you!
If you have a story to share, please email us at lgbtstaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk to be included in the event. We would love to hear about a diverse range of experiences, so please don’t be shy! Now more than ever it’s important for us all to hear and understand the range of lived experiences within our community, and so we hope to see as many of you there as possible. To join the event, just click the link above when the time comes, or email us back if you’d like to be added to the calendar invite.
This Is Not My First Pandemic – Thursday 25 February from 6pm
Link to join: Sign up via Eventbright
Russel T Davies’ latest drama It’s A Sin has brought to life the horrors, heartbreak and homophobia of what for many of us remains a vivid memory and lived experience in the HIV/AIDS pandemic of the 1980s and 90s. ‘This Is Not My First Pandemic’ seeks to highlight the impact of both the HIV/AIDS and Coronavirus pandemics, and to draw parallels between how these two periods have affected our community. Some speakers have yet to be confirmed, but we will be hearing from experts in their fields including Jose C. Mejia from METRO Charity who will be addressing the legacy and continued impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
To join the event, just click the link above when the time comes, or email us back if you’d like to be added to the calendar invite.
Trans & QTBIPOC Voices at Kent
The LGBT+ Staff Network endeavours to represent all LGBT+ staff at Kent faithfully and authentically. The current team is wholly cisgender and white, and we are mindful of the need to ensure that trans and BIPOC colleagues’ views and experiences are represented. If you identify as trans, non-binary, and/or as a Person of Colour, and would like to become a co-chair or would be happy to be more informally consulted on issues that are sometimes raised with us, please contact one of the current co-chairs or email lgbtstaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk.
Trans Awareness Training
The University has invested in a number of training pathways for all colleagues to improve their understanding of trans identities and trans inclusivity, and we would strongly encourage all members to take part:
- Trans Awareness: The Basics, Thursday 11 February 2021, 2-3.45pm
- ‘Trans Awareness: The Basics’ is an entry-level session that introduces the key ideas and information people need to know about trans-related matters.
- The session will:
- Explain what ‘trans’ means and describe the diversity of those who might use the term
- Introduce key concepts crucial to understanding trans people
- List the main legislation relating to trans identities
- Outline ways an organisation can work towards being trans-inclusive
- Provide links to further resources and help.
- Contact Ldev@kent.ac.uk to be added to the booking sheet; joining instructions will be sent out nearer the time.
- Trans Awareness and LGBTQI Moodle Training is also now live and can be accessed here.