Issue 153

Down memory lane

26th February 2007

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) society have had an active role at the university for several years. They met up with us to celebrate LGBT history month and gave us an insight into how society's views have changed about homosexuality over the years, as well as explaining their role as a society here at Swansea.

LGBT history month is all about celebrating their past, present and future, with an emphasis on achievements and raising awareness, with various events happening all over the country. The main focus has been in Brighton, where the city's history centre has been running a LGBT history 'drop in' featuring newspapers, books, photographers and a variety of other pieces.

This year the national campaign has had a special focus on anti-bullying in schools. A range of events have been run nationally including a highly successful children's poetry competition, film and a range of topical exhibitions.

The LGBT society in Swansea currently has roughly 50 members and meets regularly every Tuesday 8pm, outside Fulton House. They like to give help and support to those who are or those who think they may have alternative sexual orientations. At meetings they offer a range of services including support, advice, workshops, discussions, and of course socials.

Recently they have run a range of workshops that have had discussion topics including; coming out, body image in the gay scene and, homophobia at university. All of these are designed to help students who want to meet people with the same beliefs as themselves, as well as discussing how best to deal with new experiences that they may find at university.

They also run a range of socials throughout the year including the ever popular Bunny and Fairy Balls. Both of which are run to help raise money to go to towards THT, (Terrence Higgins Trust) which is a charity aimed at raising awareness of AIDS and HIV in the UK, with a special emphasis on the gay community. Last year they raised roughly £500 for the Trust through the balls.

The society also has GBT men's officer and, LBT women's officer, to help people with their own individual needs.

If you would like more information about the society, or have any questions for them, then please contact President Chelsea Sheppard: swanlgb@hotmail.com or alternatively you can have a look at their myspace pages: http://groups.msn.com/uw

Dawn Lewis