Page 11 - Eclipse - Autumn 2021

GENERAL NEWS

Celebrating LGBT History Month

his year, during LGBT History Andy Marshall said: “We know that community for our LGBTQ+ staff,
Month, the RVC marked the visibility and representation matters, students and friends.
month by flying the rainbow flag and we know that the projects that Some of the commitments made were:
Ton both our campuses, holding we’ve done in previous years have
a Netflix streaming party of the film meant something positive to people “Educate myself and others on
‘Boy Erased’ followed by a discussion when they’ve joined the RVC. Visibility LGBT+ history.”
about conversion therapy, arranged by and representation are only part of the “Being more proactive in
our Chaplain and Interfaith Advisor, the journey. We continue to aspire to be a
Revd. Andy Marshall. The Students’ safe space for all, and these projects supporting people, even when it
Union hosted an online talk on LGBTQ+ are a part of that process. makes me feel uncomfortable.”
History with Ben Paites from Colchester “Learning and using the
and Ipswich museums. “I am delighted with the number of correct pronouns (and not
people that have participated in this
There were challenges around how to year’s photo … it’s a tremendously making assumptions about
mark the month as a community while affirming display, but I am also someone’s pronouns).”
following the lockdown restrictions in delighted at some of the personal Quentin Wedmore, the Students’
the UK. As a way to get as many people actions that people have said they will Union President 2020-21,
involved as possible in an RVC-wide commit to as a result of this project. added that, “RVCSU is glad to
project, Andy Marshall asked our staff
and students to submit photos of These actions will truly help make the be celebrating LGBTQ+ history
themselves from home wearing different RVC a safer and more inclusive space month at a time when raising
colours of the rainbow. for all.” awareness of equality and
diversity issues has never been

This collection of photos from nearly Those who submitted their photos more important to us.”
100 staff and students was then used were also asked what small action they
to form a human LGBTQ+ flag and could commit to this LGBTQ+ History View the RVC LGBTQ+ History Month
make a visible statement of inclusion Month that they will take forward with 2021 video here:
and support for the LGBT+ community. them, to build a safer and more inclusive rvc.uk.com/LGBT-video-2021

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