WHY WE NEED PRIDE WEEK

When I first came to university I knew nobody. From my graduating class I was the only student to accept an offer at the University of Sydney, making my initial few weeks on campus quite isolating. I have often told people I did not have any friends in first year, I would instead read a lot.

Despite this, I did join the ACCESS Program at my first OWeek, but I used my membership solely for discounts. I did not sign up to any clubs or societies, nor did I attend USU events – this did not happen until 2011 when on a whim I signed up to volunteer at OWeek. After that I propelled myself into the USU and into every aspect of campus life. That year I joined my first club, got involved in every program the USU had to offer, started a club, met one of my best friends who I would later direct OWeek with, got heavily involved in student politics and activism, and fell in love for the first time – with a dude. I know with utter certainty that it was the University of Sydney Union and the positive environment it creates for queer identifying and questioning students that gave me the confidence to tell my family and friends that I am bi-sexual - it helped me to accept and shape who I am.

I had always struggled with my sexuality; during high school I hid who I really was, and actively lied to everyone about who I had a crush on at any given time. I went to a very conservative school, and the only openly gay student was frequently bullied – he ended up dropping out because he was often beaten up. I feared my life mirroring his. Because of this I had no confidence in myself. I saw my sexuality as something to hide and be ashamed of.

Thankfully I no longer feel this way. But I am lucky - not everyone has had the opportunities I have been afforded. This is why events like the USU’s annual Pride Week are so important.

I am bi-sexual and proud!

Bringing Pride Week to as many students as possible is central to creating an inclusive community at this university, both for students who are queer identifying or queer questioning, but also for students who have never really thought about what it means to be queer. Now coming into its third year, the USU's Pride Week is an event that brings students together to discuss issues facing the queer community, come up with solutions, and celebrate the positive wins those before us achieved so that we might have equality and acceptance.  

From Tuesday next week you will see the campus transform for three days to showcase everything great about the queer community. From forums to swing dancing, panel discussions to queer beers - there is literally something for everyone.

For more information about the events held during Pride Week, head over to: http://usu.edu.au/Bars-Events/Festivals/Pride-Festival-(1).aspx

I stand by my push to make Pride Week an annual festival within the USU's calendar of events, and cannot wait for next week!

In Glitter,

ROBBY MAGYAR
HONORARY TREASURER

IN DEFENCE OF RADICAL SEX AND CONSENT DAY

The 11^th Speaker on Monday’s ‘Town Hall in the Great Hall’ discussion on fee regulation declared:

“Opponents [of deregulation]… have no problem with student money being used to hold a ‘radical sex week.’” http://honisoit.com/2014/08/live-blog-town-hall-meeting-at-the-great-hall/

Credit: Alexandra Mildenhall

While I dispute that opponents of fee deregulation have bizarrely united to support the USU’s Radical Sex and Consent Day, they (nay, all students!) undoubtedly should.

Radical Sex and Consent Day encourages the re-learning of the abysmal Sex Education taught in school. Unlike your year 10 Health Class, RSCD will acknowledge that sex is about more than ‘not having it,' STIs, and avoiding pregnancy. It aims to educate students on classroom silences like queer sex, kink and the female orgasm (spoiler alert: it exists).

But more than vulva puppets and blindfolded lube tasting, Radical Sex and Consent Day is about starting a conversation. A conversation that seeks to normalise students speaking about sex, personal boundaries, and seeking active consent. 

Credit: Liam Carrigan

People have commented to me in the past week that the proposition on the RSCD T-Shirts ‘you don’t owe sex to anyone’ isn’t very radical. However, even in our progressive campus bubble, unwanted sexual behavior is commonplace.

At the USU Board Election Soapbox this year a candidate was heckled about her appearance before she could even begin speaking about her policies. Non-consensual waist touching is commonplace when students speak to each other at Manning and Hermann’s. Earlier this week a tutor of mine asked my class if a lawyer could argue a wom*n consented to sex if she was ‘dressed like a prostitute.’ As if that was something that was ever okay to posit, even in the hypothetical.

Even more telling is that while wearing the RSCD shirt a member of the organising team was catcalled on King-Street: “You owe sex to me love!”

If Radical Sex and Consent Day isn’t worth student money then please tell me what is.

BEBE D'SOUZA

Vice-President / Director of Radical Sex and Consent Day

You can read about the full line up for Radical Sex and Consent Day here:

http://www.usu.edu.au/Bars-Events/Festivals/Radical-Sex-and-Consent/Radical-Sex-and-Consent.aspx

INTRODUCING YOUR 2014 - 2015 QUEER PORTFOLIO HOLDER

Hello glorious membership, 

I’m Liam Carrigan, the Queer Portfolio Holder for the 2014-2015 Board. 

It’s my responsibility to ensure that the interests, welfare and needs of every queer student on campus are considered by our organization in every decision we make. That means no matter what shade of the rainbow you identify with or where you fall on the gender spectrum I’m here to champion you and that’s a privilege I really cherish.

University for queer students is an intimidating experience.  Even though it’s a common perception that Universities are progressive havens for students in contrast to the battleground that high school often is, there are still regular reports of queerphobic violence and language on campus. Discrimination and misinformation is still rife, which often proves socially isolating for many students at what is a time to test boundaries, experiment and discover one’s identity. These barriers are even more pronounced for ethno-cultural students, rural students, wom*n identifying students and trans students. Whatever your background or identity the USU is committed to providing a safe and inclusive community on campus.    

I personally understand the immensely positive impact the incredible diversity, spirit and colour the queer community on campus can have on a students time here. For the first time in my life aspects of my identity I had taught to be ashamed of were celebrated and accepted by the friends I made and experiences I had within the union. I spent my first year on campus as part of the SHADES executive; easily the best society on campus. SHADES host social events for queer people and every party they have held has had a special place in my heart. Also being a cast member of the 2013 Queer Revue and its tour to Melbourne was easily the most challenging and enriching thing I did in my first year if you exclude the fact I had to perform in my underwear on roller-skates.

I’m not going to lie: I’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill. After years of inactivity the Queer Portfolio experienced a renaissance under the leadership of my predecessor, Robby Magyar. Just some of his achievements include providing funding for ten delegates to Queer Collaborations, advocating for and instating the first gender-neutral bathroom in a union building. With Robby I will fight to ensure that there is at least one gender-neutral bathroom in every union building. Most impressively, Robby undertook a comprehensive, landmark Queer Review that provided extensive recommendations and worthy insights for our communities place within the Union.

My vision for the portfolio includes consultation with the Queer Collective, which meet every Monday at 1pm in the Queer Space, to ensure I’m being held to account by my community. Make sure you come along if you identify as queer. The collective have also started an autonomous non-cis males group, Queerkats, who meet every Thursday at 1pm. I’m also intending to advocate for the mandatory inclusion of Queer officers in all faculty societies, taking action on the recommendations of the Queer Review and looking into issues of autonomy and queer representation within the Union. I’m also going to be running a campaign with the Wom*n’s Portfolio Holder, Kate Bullen, based on critiquing discriminatory or offensive language within the University community. Finally I’d love to look into providing more comprehensive orientation for new queer students to ensure everyone when feels welcome and supported as soon as they step onto campus.

Finally it couldn’t be a better time to be queer on campus. Thanks to the incredible hard work of our Queer Events Coordinators Alex Daly and Eloise Layard this week is awash with rainbows as we celebrate Pride Festival. There are some incredible events lined up: the upcoming 2014 queer revue ‘The Dykemare before Christmas’ will be providing us with a sneak preview, Crafternoons and consent workshops abound and we will be capping it off with SHADES ‘Back to School Party’. Check at the full program at: http://usu.edu.au/Bars-Events/Festivals/Pride-Festival.aspx

We are already a two days in – getting lightly hit by a bus unfortunately delayed the writing of this blog post! 

No matter who you are or who you love your USU supports you, so come celebrate!

I’ll see you at the next SHADES party,

Liam Carrigan

Queer Portfolio Holder – Board Director

Queer Review Report

In my capacity as the Queer Portfolio Holder of the USU Board of Directors, I have been conducting a Queer Representation, Engagement and Leadership Review to update, improve and extend what we offer to the queer community at the University of Sydney. This has been an ongoing project that I have conducted whilst working on other Board projects, such as the Programs Review that Tim Matthews blogged about last week.

View the Queer Review Report.

It is hoped that this review, and the thirty odd recommendations contained within, will help change the way queer students engage with the USU and make our service offerings much more relevant and supportive. Members have been consulted at every point of this review, be it at the series of forums hosted during Pride Week or in discussions with queer leaders on campus. This review has been produced by and for queer students.

Please read the report and if you have any questions, concerns or general comments, please send in a written submission to r.magyar@usu.usyd.edu.au by Friday 15th November.

In you email, please indicate whether you wish to submit anonymously, as these submissions will be included in the final report tabled for discussion at the Board meeting on Friday 29th November.

Please be constructive in your responses.

Robby Magyar
Queer Portfolio Holder of the USU Board of Directors