This year was my 5th Queer Easter as we celebrated 10 years of a Queer seminar that may not be so queer but act as a critical friend to Queer.

I don't mean that the seminar has been swamped by straight people (dread the thought!). I think (although not around) that 10 years ago when Queer Easter was set up (its 11 years really but we forget about the first one as its wasn't international) the word "Queer" was chosen as much as a provocation and marketing tool as a bases on Queer theory.

10 years ago queer theory was this new exciting theory, something that was just being developed and explored. 10 years on and Queer looks a bit like another tired post-modernist theory which people either don't understand or contradicts itself so much that it becomes useless.

Queer, for those of you who don't know, is effectively a post modernist, post-structuralist theory. It joins the debate as an opposition to identity as it is perceived through constructionist (nurture) and essentialist (nature) views. Its says that your gender and sexuality identity is for sure created but more than that it doesn't matter. Forget what you are, but its what you do. (confused yet?)

Putting it another way, some argue that "your identity is made up from what you do and constructed" and other say "your identity is essentially you and you do things because of your identity". Well Queer theory comes along and say "fuck that" you just do. Your identity is something that is just made-up and all we should focus on is what you do, and seeing that what you do is fluid - depending on the time and space that we inhabit - so is our sexuality, gender and sex.

It all sounds great, liberating for many, but it has some unexpected consequence. For example, many of the LGBT liberation movement have argued - we are what we are, we are born gay etc. in a bid to fight discrimination. If suddenly we turn around and say, well actually, we are not born like this but "choose" or act like this the whole none-discrimination argument starts to go out the window.

It starts to sound no so great, also start to shove in their the whole idea about "normalisation" and unless you like being different then the whole Queer thing starts to look less and less attractive. for the first time in many years, I think that a number of participants started to get this. As well as a whole media working group looking critically at queer we also had morning workshops focusing on the issue.

I would argue that we still need to embrace queer but as a process not at the end. As with much in post-modern theory the critique the world around us is academically, but it fails to put an alternative. We de-construct identity, in fact much of our world we live in and are left with a pile of rubble.

Humans need a social construction to make this confusing world a bit easer to live in, identity is important for struggles, but also surly as socialist we need to be critical of the bourgeoisie social construction that we live in today. We need to de-construct our lives and our society and I believe that Queer theory is a great way to do that. However, if we stop there then its a pretty empty and lonely world.

If there is no narrative to our actions then we have no historical and political perspective to put things in to we are effectually - as a global society! We need to create another narrative, so I guess, we need Queer theory, just as a path to something else.

That something else, Socialism? well... that's for another day!

Labels: IFM-SEI, International Falcon Movment-Socalist Education International, International Politics, LGBT, Queer, Woodcraft Folk

posted by lloyd_rm  # 17:04 0 Comments

Labels: Council, LGBT, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union, Woodcraft Folk

posted by lloyd_rm  # 17:27 0 Comments

Hello Everyone,

First of all just a little introduction, for those of you who I haven’t meet I’m Lloyd the UBU LGBT (lesbian gay, bisexual & trans) Officer.

Last week the Union passed a motion condemning discrimination against trans students and to meet the new legal requirements of all organisations to act positively to prevent discrimination against all genders which was included in the most recent sex and gender act of 2004

The motion delegated responsibility to implementing some of the changes to the Women’s Officer and the LGBT Officer. I’m writing to explain any changes in our work from day to day which we may have to take in to account.

The Union policy is now as follows The Union resolves:

* To be aware of the ways in which selecting gender neutral words actively contribute to promoting equality and inclusiveness.

In practice this means that when writing documents, letters and policy unless specifically referring to a gender neutral words should be used. E.g. “if a union official has an interest s/he must declare it” should now read “if a union official has an interest they must declare it”



* To increase education and awareness by:
- Running a campaign highlighting the position of trans students and issues around gender identity.
- Providing training on trans issues for all staff and officers of the union
- Coordinating training and education with the university and its staff.

In the coming months we will be providing training particular to roles in the union for all our staff. This is something that Hannah, Myself and Andy will coordinate and you will hear about what’s happening in regards t this nearer the time.



* To allow students to self-define on union forms.

In practice this means that Union forms must have a self defining box for gender. E.g. “sex: male _ female_ (please tick)” should now read “gender ____________”. This change is to come in line with the changing University policy and most recent parliament Act of recognising more than two genders.
Please note, where forms are provided from outside the university/union please contact me for calcification (home Officer forms for example cannot be changed, but we can lobby for the changes.)



* To support trans students in their right to use gendered toilets in line with their gender definition.

This area effects our bar staff and ent.s staff the most, in practice what it means is if someone, self defines and lives their life in a particular gender role they may use those facilities. It is clear that under the new legislation, a bloke on a night out, for example, dressed up in drag wouldn’t be classified as living in that gender. However this is a tricky issue and more guidance and training will be provided in the near future.

I would suggest that if there are concerns about particular instances that often approaching the issues sensitively with the person concerned is the best way and if there are further issues please do contact me.


I hope that this is clear and people understand the changes and how it may affect the day to day work of the union. Please if there are any problems do contact myself and I will do my up most to respond to any concerns and queries.
I’m in the part time exec office on Monday morning, Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings for people to drop in or phone and email anytime of the week.

Labels: Council, LGBT, Staff, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

posted by lloyd_rm  # 21:16 0 Comments

This Union Notes:

1. That trans people are widely discriminated against facing ignorance, harassment and sometimes violence.
2. Bradford trans students have voiced their concern regarding the lack of awareness and recognition of their identities and acceptance of their needs.
3. Sex, biologically, is not a straight forward issues and similarly gender is not binary.
4. That Union and University policy prohibits discriminations based on gender or other relevant distinctions.
5. That the Sex Discrimination Act 1976 makes its unlawful to discriminate against gender and the Sex Discrimination Regulations 1999 make it unlawful to discriminate against people intending or undergoing gender reassignment.
6. Trans (for example gender queer, intersex or transsexual) students are often forced to use gender neutral accessible toilets while on campus and were these do not exist (such as in Colours) are forced to used gender specific facilities.
7. That present Union and University forms discriminate against people who cannot define as a binary distinction of either male or female and are forced to at present complete forms inaccuracy.

This Union Believes:

1. Gender is self-defined, not physically assigned, as the latter would be a denial of existence of trans students and a contravention of union policy.
2. Confining gender to a binary distinction discriminates against students unable to define as only either male or female.
3. That people have the right to live according to their gender identity, free from discrimination and harassment.

This Union Resolves:

1. To condemn transphobia and discrimination on ground of gender identity.
2. To be aware of the ways in which selecting gender neutral words actively contribute to promoting equality and inclusiveness.
3. To increase education and awareness by:
1. Running a campaign highlighting the position of trans students and issues around gender identity.
2. Providing training on trans issues for all staff and officers of the union
3. Coordinating training and education with the university and its staff.
4. To allow students to self-define on union forms.
5. To support trans students in their right to use gendered toilets in line with their gender definition.
6. To, when redeveloping the union, provide facilities that are required by trans students.
7. Request that the University also follow these guidelines and campaign to this end if the request is refused.
8. That executive actively implements all resolves with the coordination by the Women’s Sabbatical Officer and the LGBT officer who should report back on progress to council.

Proposed: Lloyd Russell-Moyle (UBU LGBT Officer)

Seconded: Sophia Coles-Riley (Uni of Bradford LGBT society political secretary)

Labels: Council, LGBT, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

posted by lloyd_rm  # 21:27 0 Comments

Sitting here in the bar, I‘m pretending to do my work. Despite having a deadline tomorrow, I’ve turned to writing this month’s column for Kinetic. Well, there’s been some major changes to the university since the last issue. Shearbridge Green has been eaten up by the giant lizard they call Godzilla and the atrium has at last opened.

There have been some changes to your union too, we are getting some new luxury sofas in Escape, and from June, Carling will be off the menu. We now look forward to a cheaper Carlsberg for your drinking and financial pleasures. Not all the changes have been welcome; I’m still recovering from the fact that Hobnob has been cancelled on the FND rotation, to be replaced by the ever popular Block Party-now every week, twice a week. The FND now leaves me wanting. I’m promised that it will get better and at least shots are cheaper so I don’t have to remember the evenings!

February has been the LGBT* history month. You may have seen those posters: did you know that Shakespeare was bisexual or that Florence Nightingale liked to swing both ways. Great people have been gay, bisexual, lesbian or trans and to recognise this history we will host an exhibition in March. It is important that in the fight for equality we don’t exclude people or hide behind our ‘culture’, instead we must unite.

I believe strongly that we must fight for people’s right to choose how they live their lives. Freedom for a woman to chose what she wears without government, cultural and society’s interference. The right for someone to live with whoever they want regardless of gender, and support for all students regardless of where they are from is vital. Equality for all students can only be assured if protection and support is provided for all at the campus.

This month has also seen climate change hit the agenda big time; I do ask myself why in the union shop they still offer me a plastic bag for a single bar of chocolate. How loud to I have to shout ”I DON’T NEED A BAG with that!” A lot has changed but a lot more needs to be done, staff in the bars, shop and union officers are fighting for change but it doesn’t always come easy.

This year we are set to suffer hard times financially and the union is still failing to meet all students’ needs. I believe that we have the chance to make ours a leading union for the 21^st century but we need to improve our facilities, our bars, and our non-alcoholic spaces. We need to develop what we offer and what we do. We can only do that with you. It is your union and we are your servants, use us, and together we can make your union truly student centred again.

Hope to see you all soon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

LGBT* Officer

ubu-lgbt-officer@bradfrod.ac.uk

* LBGT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans

Labels: FND, Kinetic, LGBT, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

posted by lloyd_rm  # 21:56 0 Comments

Everyone in your Union works hard to ensure that we meet the needs of every student at the University. I believe strongly that we must fight for people’s right to choose how they live their lives. Freedom for a woman to chose what she wears without government, cultural and society’s interference. The right for someone to live with who they want regardless of gender, and support for all students regardless of where they are from. Equalities for all students can only be assured if protection and support is provided for all monitories’ at the campus.
It is deeply concerning that at the last Union Council a motion, to provide greater support for Trans* students, was voted down. Trans people are one of the most discriminated group of people in society today and the motion’s failure shows how people still find it hard to come to terms with accepting and supporting others. However I’m confident that with some rewording and education a new policy to provide support for Trans students will be passed at the next council.
Providing policies like these are important for the whole Union and for its credibility. With the proposed new development of our student union building it’s a perfect opportunity to help shape the future of your union. At the next General Meeting on Wednesday 13th November we will be voting on a policy laying out plans for a redevelopment of the union buildings and the surrounding area.
This union is failing at the moment to reach some of its students needs; we have suffered with a mill-stone around our necks from bad finances in the past and still feel the effects of this. I believe that we have the chance to make the union a leading union for the 21st century; we need to improve our facilities, what we offer and what we do. We can only do that with you, become a councillor of the union or attend the General Meeting. The General Meetings are open to all students and are place where you can tell the officers of the union what you think should happen in the next term. If you want to become a councillor for the union then email ubu_intaff@bradford.ac.uk.

Hope to see you all soon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle
LGBT** Officer
officer@bradfordlgbt.org.uk

* Trans from Transgender is broadly where a student may be assessed a gender at birth that they may not correct. The student may be physically or mentally in-between male or female either or male or female or neither.
* LBGT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans

Labels: Kinetic, LGBT, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

posted by lloyd_rm  # 21:51 0 Comments