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University panel and personal stories help North West celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month

 

Promoting inclusivity in our modern society, University of Cumbria is bringing together a host of North West organisations for a panel discussion to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month.

‘A Life Worth Living’ is taking place on Thursday 25 February and is free and open to everyone to attend, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, including allies.

Panel chairman University of Cumbria Deputy Vice Chancellor (Health, Environment and Innovation) Professor Brian Webster-Henderson will be joined by:

The University of Cumbria has an active LGBTQ+ Network of staff with more than 40 members based across the university’s sites in Cumbria, Lancashire and London. University of Cumbria Students’ Union leads a similar network for students.

Several student and staff members have recorded videos to share personal stories and key moments in the history of LGBTQ+ rights that have made an impact on their lives. The videos can be seen this month on the university’s social media channels, marking LGBTQ+ History Month.

Already a Stonewall Champion, a University of Cumbria staff LGBTQ+ Network was launched 18 months ago. Since then, it has supported the university in offering Trans awareness training to educate, support and raise awareness for LGBTQ+ staff and allies; and has provided a free online reading resource that includes LGBTQ+ Gender and Identity literature and is available to all staff and students.

Diversity dates such as International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Trans Day of Remembrance, and Pride are also marked by the university.

Professor Webster-Henderson said: “At the University of Cumbria, we are committed to celebrating diversity, challenging prejudice and not tolerating discrimination.

“We strongly believe in treating everyone with equal dignity and respect, encouraging our staff and students to learn from each other in a safe environment. Therefore, we’re pleased to be sharing our values and approach together with partners at this significant event that supports the LGBTQ+ community and allies in the North West and beyond.”

Molly McConnell, welfare officer for the University of Cumbria Students’ Union, said: “Our student LGBTQ+ Network launched last summer and has become one of our most established with the highest membership of all our student networks.

“We are so proud of everything this network and its partner society have accomplished since they were established. They’ve provided really valuable peer support and a safe community space during a really isolating time. Connecting through virtual spaces, meetups and involvement in our book club event discussing ‘Red, White and Royal Blue’ during LGBTQ+ History Month.

“The Network has also been key in helping to review the Trans Student Record Policy and facility updates.”

‘A Life Worth Living’ is on Thursday 25 February 2021, 3-4pm. To register for a free place, and for full event details, visit here at https://tinyurl.com/jyusvfwf.

PHOTOS
‘A Life Worth Living’ panel chairman Prof Brian Webster-Henderson, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Health, Environment and Innovation), University of Cumbria. (picture credit: Newsquest Cumbria)

 

Molly McConnell, welfare officer, University of Cumbria Students’ Union

 

‘A Life Worth Living’, 25 February 2021 event image

VIDEO

Molly McConnell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMPyLumkCP8

Molly’s outtakes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-eTzRFfSDA

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • Additional quote available for use:

“The government's National LGBT survey, in 2017, found that 44% of respondents didn't feel comfortable living in the UK, life satisfaction for respondents was far lower than the national average, and 68% of respondents with a minority sexual orientation have avoided holding hands with a partner in public.  This shows that although our culture has experienced an incredible shift towards equality since the time of Section 28, which was only repealed in 2003 - we still have a long way to go.”

Jesse Phillips, LGBTQ+ Officer, Lancaster University Students' Union (pictured below)

(Pronouns are they/them)

  • University of Cumbria equality, diversity and inclusion officer Lee McDermott has written a new blog on allyship. Read it here.
  • Interviews are available. Contact University of Cumbria communications officer Kelly Pattison - kelly.pattison@cumbria.ac.uk or 07977 223258.