This month, we are celebrating LGBT+ History Month to recognise the experiences of LGBTQ+ people, raise awareness of the issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community, and help to create safe and inclusive spaces for everyone. You may have noticed that alongside flying the Progress flag from the Founder’s Building, on Thursday (1 February) we updated our logo to use the official colours of the flag.
The theme this year is Medicine #UnderTheScope to shine a light on the contribution of LGBTQ+ people in fields of medicine and healthcare, both historically and today. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the work of LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals and their experience of healthcare inequalities and discrimination.
Sharanya Sivarajah, Vice President Education, is leading a range of events to celebrate, raise awareness and provide a welcoming space to meet new people. Join a Queer Quiz tonight (4 February) at 8pm, cupcake decorating tomorrow (5 February), LGBT+ Speed Dating on Thursday (8 February) and a Zine Workshop on Friday (9 February). Discover more.
Feeling creative? The Queer Creativity Showcase is back on Thursday 15 February, and the Students’ Union is looking for queer creatives to take part! You are also invited to join the Staff LGBT+ Network for their webinar Bisexual Men Exist: A Conversation with Vaneet Mehta on Friday 16 February.
Last year, Royal Holloway was recognised as a Stonewall Top 100 Employer and received a Gold Award for our work around transgender and bisexual inclusion. However, there is more we can do. Our LGBT+ Equality Group is continuing to work with senior members of staff to help improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students across our community. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved.
I encourage you to get involved in all that’s on offer this month and look forward to celebrating our community’s diversity with you.
Professor Tracy Bhamra
Provost and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global)