The University of Kent’s LGBT+ Staff Network is looking to publish Gay as in Happy, a collection of interviews and personal stories that focus on LGBTQ+ members of staff, students, and the wider community. Gay as in Happy will be published as a book and excerpts will be featured on social media platforms.

We want to provide a positive outlook on coming out and on being queer in a predominantly straight world. Why? Because it is crucial to live in hope and to know that a fulfilled life as a queer person is possible (and, dare we say it, desirable). Sharing positive stories gives us hope and allows us to imagine happy endings for ourselves and for our loved ones. Thus, hope becomes a radical act. Because to imagine a better life is an important step towards creating a better life.

In order to make this happen, come and speak to us! We are looking for contributors who want to share their positive experiences about coming out and being out. If you would like to get involved, or to simply find out more, please email lgbtqbook@kent.ac.uk . You can find out more and get involved at the Researching The Rainbow Conference, Grimond Building on 16th Feb 2019.

In the latest episode of the Nostalgia podcast series, Dr Chris Deacy, Reader in Theology and Religious Studies in the Department of Religious Studies, interviews the University of Kent’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Karen Cox.

Karen talks about her background in nursing, and having very strong early childhood memories of Christmas. Karen also describes how she looked up to Margot Fonteyn, and recounts other memories of growing up. These include: recording the charts on a Sunday; who her ‘nursing hero’ is; the eclectic nature of today’s politics; her reaction to the result of the 1979 General Election; who her favourite radio presenter is; why radio is a ‘security blanket’ and how she still has dreams and takes comfort from thinking about what might be around the corner.