The University of Surrey is proud of its diverse community. Celebrating LGBT+ History Month is a part of our commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and building a culture of equality and inclusion amongst our staff, students and the wider community.
#LGBTplusHM
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LGBT+ History Month is an opportunity to celebrate our past and present and to think about the future. This year’s theme is ‘Medicine - #UnderTheScope’, offering us the chance to celebrate the fantastic contribution of LGBT+ individuals in the field of medicine and healthcare. Beyond celebration, this should be an opportunity to reflect on the past and present health disparities faced by LGBT+ individuals urging us to think of a future marked by more inclusive spaces in healthcare.
This year is also special for us as we celebrate 10 years since the first series of events were organised for LGBT+ History Month at the University of Surrey. Over the years, we have had brilliant initiatives which have brought us together and given visibility to our community. This is a fantastic achievement!
We have a range of wonderful events organised and I hope to see you there.
Happy LGBT+ History Month everyone."
Events for all
LGBT+ History Month Annual Seminar
Thursday 15 February 2024
13:30 – 15:00 GMT
Austin Pearce Lecture Theatres 3 & 4, Stag Hill Campus
Join this talk from Dr Koen Slootmaeckers (City University London) who will explore and analyse the symbolism of LGBT rights in contemporary politics.
Kelly's Guildford 10K and 5K charity run
Saturday 17 February 2024
09:30 - 14:00 GMT
AP Piazza, Stag Hill Campus
Take part in the annual charity run organised by the SU and Kelly's Storage. This year raising money for three local charities: Royal Surrey Charity, Pride in Surrey & Refuge.
Sex, Gender & Sexualities: research and teaching
Wednesday 21 February 2024
14:00 – 16:00 GMT
Oak Suite, Stag Hill Campus
Hear from the Sex, Gender, and Sexualities Research Centre on interesting research topics: from female masculinities in medieval texts to queer history and pronouns.
LGBT+ History Month Library display
Come along to the Library where we have a display of books relating to past LGBT+ History Month curators from the Library's SurreyReads collection, a student-led leisure reading collection, designed to encourage students and staff at the University to pick up a book and read simply for fun.
Treat yourself to a delicious rainbow cupcake and slushy on campus
Rainbow cupcakes will be available at all of our coffee shops on campus and Hillside Food Court throughout February.
Head over to Wates for a refreshing rainbow slushy.
Student events and opportunities
Photo by Jiroe (Matia Rengel) on Unsplash
Photo by Jiroe (Matia Rengel) on Unsplash
Join the LGBT+ Student Society
The LGBT Student Society, run by the Students' Union, is a fun, open and relaxed society, where you can come along and meet some new people whilst participating in our weekly events! Anyone can join (you don’t have to be queer), so don’t be afraid and say hi.
Join the Student Equality Network
The network, run by the Students' Union, ensures that everyone is represented at Surrey and that their voice is heard. Join the group of student volunteers and take part in activities to help break down barriers that students from liberation groups face at University.
Citrus Glitterbomb takeover: musicals and more
Wednesday 21 February 2024
22:30 - 02:00 GMT
Rubix, Stag Hill Campus
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Surrey Police LGBTQIA+ Support: Tackling Hate Crime
Thursday 22 February 2024
11:00 - 16:00 GMT
The Library, Stag Hill Campus
Win books by award-winning LGBTQ+ authors and themes
Between 12-14 February, Library and Learning Services will be running a prize draw to celebrate LGBT+ History Month, promote diversity and encourage wider reading. Head to the Library to enter the draw with an opportunity to win books by award winning LGBTQ+ authors or themes. Prizes will be drawn at 17:00 on 14 February.
All the titles are also available to borrow from the Library as part our the Library’s SurreyReads collection.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Free Pronouns badge available for all
Head to the Students' Union reception and pick up a free pronouns badge.
Wearing a pronoun badge, and encouraging others to, helps to normalise the non-assumption of pronouns, which reduces the frequency with which trans people are misgendered. Wearing a badge is an effective act of allyship with the trans community and for trans people, pronoun badges are also an important tool to facilitate sharing their pronouns.
Chat with a member of our Support Services team
If you would like to speak with someone about something that is worrying you, or if you would like some support and advice, you can chat with either a member of our Centre for Wellbeing team, our Chaplaincy team or with a Peer Supporter.
Support from local charities and organisations
Local charities and organisations can offer a range of advice, support and information to those that may need it. You can learn more via the links below:
New Surrey Pride merchandise including hoodies and t-shirts are available on the Surrey Store
Get 20% discount on any item purchased at the Refreshers Fair on Tuesday 6 February or visit the Hillside Food Court, the Hideout or online Surrey Store to purchase items.
Staff events and opportunities
The Diversity Book Club: LGBT+ History Month event
Tuesday 6 February 2024
12:00 - 13:00 GMT
MS Teams
If you are a member of staff or PGR join online to talk about a revelatory coming-of-age novel from a thrilling new voice Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez.
LGBT+ History Month: 10th Anniversary Celebration
Wednesday 7 February 2024
12:00 - 13:00 GMT
Oak Suite, Stag Hill campus
Let’s get together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the celebration of LGBT History Month at the University of Surrey
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Wear a rainbow lanyard
Wear a rainbow lanyard and show your support for all aspects of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) not just support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Please contact Michael Hassell to request a lanyard.
Join the Rainbow Staff Network
The Rainbow Staff Network offers a supportive environment for all LGBTQIA+ staff. Join the group to network, help organise events and further equality for staff, students and the wider community.
To join please contact Chair of the Network: Fabio Fasoli
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Become a Rainbow Ally
Become an Ally and demonstrate your commitment to the University’s LGBTQIA+ community through agreeing to a set of four pledges and completing the LGBTQIA+ training.
For more information please email edi@surrey.ac.uk
LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training
The workshop is designed to build your knowledge and confidence to feel more well informed around the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual plus) community, and confident in supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Visit SurreyNet for further information and to book your place.
Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
Anti-Bias Training
Every day, in every interaction with people, we constantly make judgments about who, what, where and why. Our unconscious thoughts and interpretations happen much quicker than our conscious ones. In this workshop we will explore many forms of bias and the impact they can have on our community.
Visit SurreyNet to register your place.
Local Surrey events
Stories from Surrey's LGBTQ+ past and present
1 - 29 February 2024
Surrey History Centre
Free display
'From Punishment to Pride: LGBTQ+ Archived
6 February 2024 - 5.45-6.45pm
Surrey History Centre
Tickets £5
Pride in Surrey Expo Guildford 2024
15-16 February 2024
Mandolay Hotel, Guildford
Free event
Look out for the Progress Pride Flag flying over the Piazza throughout the month.
Other resources
Information and advice for parents
If you are looking for some guidance on how to create conversations with your children about LGBT+ History Month and on lifting gender stereotypes, Bright Horizons Nursery has created some useful resources which offer you lots of support and advice.
Take a look at the resources below:
Find out more about your local Bright Horizons Nursery by visiting Guildford Bright Horizons' website.
If you are planning to run an event or activity in support of LGBT History Month, please let us know via news@surrey.ac.uk so that we can build it into our promotional programme.
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