Wow. Travelling all over the country for three weeks can certainly be tiring, but Lucy and I were definitely spurred on by the excitement and energy that was shown at each of the NUS LGBT Campaign’s six Activist Training Days.

We were lucky enough to hold days in Newport, Bristol, London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. With these events we trained over 200 activists with the tools they need to strengthen their LGBT societies, deliver innovative campaigns on their campuses, make change in their students’ unions, and much more!

But to those of you that didn’t manage to come along, don’t worry! There are still lots of chances to get involved with the campaign throughout the year. To those of you that did come along – it doesn’t stop here! Now is your chance to deliver exciting campaigns in your universities and colleges, and we’re here all year to support you in doing so.

Myself, Lucy and members of the LGBT Committee delivered loads of workshops in the afternoon sessions of the days, and some of the topics included:

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  LGBT Reform – As some of you will know, the NUS LGBT Campaign is going through a reform process this year. Over 70 LGBT students were involved in face to face consultation at the Activist Training Days, and this is just the beginning. We will be encouraging as many LGBT students to feed into the reform process as possible, so keep checking officeronline for more information.

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  Out in Sport – at some of the days, workshops were held on being LGBT in sport, and how students’ unions can be more inclusive for LGBT people. This area of work is a priority for the NUS Wales LGBT campaign.

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  Running in SU Elections – Workshops were delivered specifically empowering LGBT students to stand in their students’ union elections, focussing particularly on standing in non-LGBT Officer roles. The NUS LGBT Campaign believes that LGBT students should be able to influence every aspect of their students’ union, and has policy supporting LGBT students standing in SU elections. If you are an LGBT student, and are thinking of standing in your SU elections, or elections for NUS conference, please get in touch.

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  Direct Action – Some of you were lucky enough to be involved in the very hands-on direct action workshops that Alan Bailey (LGBT committee) delivered at some of the Training Days. Don’t worry if you didn’t get a chance to come along though, because we’ll be producing a direct action guide soon for you all to use. Watch this space!

Other workshops that were delivered include; Trans Inclusion, Sexual Health, “Pink” Families, a Campaign Simulation, Diversity Matters: Defending your LGBT, Queer!?, and Working with your Women’s Officer. Massive thanks to all of NUS LGBT committee, but also to Ben Whittaker (NUS NEC) and Jennie Killip (UMSU Women’s Officer) for delivering workshops at the Activist Training Days.

If you would like me, Lucy or one of the LGBT Committee to come and deliver one of the above workshops for your LGBT society or your students’ union, or you want to know more information about anything I’ve covered in this blog, then please get in touch. You can of course contact us as well if you’d like us to come along to any of your events.

In Pride,

Daf Adley | National LGBT Officer (Open Place)

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