LGBTQ+ History Month 2024
LGBTQ+ history month, which is celebrated in the UK in the month of February, is an important part of Keele’s annual calendar. The month is an opportunity to provide role models, build community and represent a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
Keele University is an open and integrated community where we strive to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for all. University can be a great time to explore and understand your sexuality and gender identity. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans students are a vibrant and active community at Keele and are supported by the University's Equality and Diversity strategy.
Blogs
Being Queer at Keele
First-year Music Production and Sound Design student and LGBTQ+ Network Lead, Sam Webb writing about his experiences being Queer at Keele.
Naked Civil Servant
Explore LGBTQ history Prof. Dominic Janes from the School of Humanities.
This blog dives into the world of Mr. G. Lucas, a queer civil servant from the 1940s to the 2000s. Mr. Lucas fearlessly detailed his emotional and sexual journey, even in the risky pre-1967 era.
Upcoming events
Craft Social - 1-3 pm, 7th February at the Keele Chapel
To mark LGBTQ+ History Month, we are hosting a craft event. Join us 1-3 pm on Wednesday 7th February at the Keele Chapel and see what you can create! Why try your hand at making a Zine - a mini, DIY magazine that where pivotal in historical LGBT+ campaigning?
Hosted by Keele LGBTQ+ Staff Network.
Drop-in sessions
Confidential LGBT+ drop-in seasons in the Tawney Building, no appointment required.
When:
- Wednesday 7 February 11 am - 12 pm
- Tuesday 13 February 1 pm - 2 pm
- Thursday 22 February 12 pm - 1 pm
Film Screening: Supernova
21 February, 2.30 - 4.30 pm, Darwin Building - DW0.28
A British Romantic drama starring Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth as a couple who embark on a road trip following the diagnosis of one partner with early-onset dementia. A short introduction (10 mins) on media portrayal of medicine and the LGBTQ+ community, followed by a 90-minute showing of the film. Time at the end for discussion. All are welcome.
Documentary Screening: Picture This
Monday 19 February, 12 - 1 pm, David Weatherall building Dinwoodie lecture theatre,
The School of Medicine EDI team will be running a short documentary (30 mins) called 'Picture This', which focuses on Sex, Disabilities and Queerness, largely through the experiences of a gay man with disabilities. Time at the end for discussion. The aim of this event is to raise LGBTQ+ awareness within medicine and related subjects: all are welcome.
LGBTQI+ Staff Network
Hear from members of the LGBTQI+ staff network
Mike Jackson, Keele Alumnus and Honorary Graduate
Mike Jackson graduated in 1980, and during his time at Keele founded North Staffs Gay Switchboard, an information and counseling service offering support to LGBT people. He then went on to become co-founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) during the 1984 Miners’ Strike - which was immortalised in the award-winning film ‘Pride’.
Fiorella Montero-Diaz, Senior Lecturer in Music
"I joined the department of Music and Music Technology in 2015. When I first came to Keele I joined the Keele LGBT Staff Network and have endeavored to be a positive lesbian role model and representative of LGBT+ BAME staff at the University. I am also a member of the Humanities Equalities and Diversity committee."
Reverend Jide Macalay, Founding Pastor, House of Rainbow CIC
"I often affirm, that I am a “Happy Holy Homosexual”. I believe that G.A.Y. means God Adores You, God Accepts You. We would all have different experiences but you must be willing to make adjustments for yourself and never to wallow in self-pity and doubts."
Support for staff and students
If you need any advice or guidance throughout your time at Keele there is lots of support available:
Student Support
The Student Support Team can offer advice and guidance on a range of different issues that you may face at University, including personal, financial and academic difficulties. If you would like to speak to an adviser you can contact them by phone, email or live chat. For more information email student.services@keele.ac.uk or call 01782 734481.
Counselling and mental health
University is often a great experience, but it can also bring with it stress and challenge. The Counselling and Mental Health service can offer you one-to-one support and appointments as well as workshops and group work.
Disability and Dyslexia support
If you have a disability, including specific learning difficulties or mental health and wellbeing issues, the Disability and Dyslexia Support Team can advise on a wide range of support to meet your individual needs. It is a good idea to contact the team before you start your course at Keele University to discuss any support you may need and ensure any necessary adjustments can be put in place.
Keele Health Centre
Keele has its own GP surgery on campus which serves the whole of the Keele University campus, Keele village and certain areas in Newcastle. For more information or to register as a patient please visit their website.
Support on your course
All students at Keele are allocated an academic tutor who is a single point of contact on your course. Your academic tutor can provide advice, support and general guidance on academic and non-academic issues. With your permission, the dedicated LGBT contact in Student Support can liaise with your academic tutor to ensure we provide the right support for you.
Careers advice and support
The Careers and Employability service is available to all students. As a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender student, you can also access targeted resources and opportunities that might be valuable for your career planning and progression.
Students' Union
The Students’ Union Elected Officers are elected to serve the student population and can be accessed for advice and support.
The Students' Union's ASK service also offers free, confidential, non-judgemental and impartial advice and support.
The LGBTQ+ society is a vibrant and very active part of the Students’ Union and Keele campus. The main aim of Keele LGBTQ+ society aims to create a confidential, safe and secure space for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies who may not define at LGBTQ+. You can find out more about the LGBTQ+ society on their KeeleSU webpage.
You can also follow the LGBT society on Twitter and Facebook.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) network seeks to provide a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for all staff who identify as LGBTI and others who identify under the LGBTI umbrella. We are welcoming of all people, regardless of gender identity, background or role within the university. We understand that for some people it may be hard for them to attend network meetings and we are happy to talk to individuals, either through the HR Co-ordinator or an identified role model should support be required.
Haven is a group supported by the chaplaincy for anyone wanting to explore issues around being both LGBT+ and a person of faith. Aiming to create a safe space in which to share the journey. Meetups are held via Microsoft Teams 1-2 pm on Tuesdays every three weeks.
Upcoming dates:
- 7 February
- 28 February
- 21 March
- 25 April
- 16 May
Click here to join a meeting (you can join anonymously if you prefer)
For more information please contact Anglican Chaplain, Stephanie (s.couvela@keele.ac.uk)
If you are transgender and are a current student at Keele, or are thinking of studying at Keele, then be reassured that the University offers a sensitive and confidential support service where you can discuss how you feel about your identity and how you could make any changes whilst at the University.
Based on our comprehensive Transgender Policy, our ethos is to be led by your feelings and needs, and to assist you in managing your identity through your transition. We have a dedicated contact in the Student Support Team who you can talk to as and when it suits you.
If you contact us, we recognise you may only wish to discuss your initial thoughts, or you may already be living in your acquired identity - whatever your situation we will work with you to manage your University identity and records and make changes when needed as well as supporting you through the challenges you may face.
If you would like to speak to Student Support, please get in touch.
Student Services offers sensitive support where you can discuss how you feel about your identity. Based on our comprehensive Transgender Policy, our ethos is to be led by you, and assist you in managing your identity through your transition and how you could make any changes.
We can support you in completing an action plan to consider steps to be taken during the transition. It may address:
· Any time off you may need for medical appointments or procedures, and/or possible side-effects of any medication;
· Any support arrangements and adjustments during the transition;
· When and how to inform the academic department and/or students on the programme if appropriate;
· Any emotional support to be put in place such as counselling or referrals to other relevant agencies.
We can also help if you need to update any of your personal details such as name, title or photo:
· Preferred name - we can update your 'known as' name without you going through any official processes. This will be the name that is used in your day-to-day university life and on IT systems such as emails and Microsoft Teams. · Legal name - to update your legal name you will need to complete a deed poll, which can be enrolled or unenrolled. This will then be the name that is used on official records including your degree certificate.
This information can be updated on your Keele ID and reprinted for you free of charge.
If you would like to speak to a Student Experience and Support, please get in touch. We can also refer you into internal services such as our Counselling and Mental Health team, Disability Support and Inclusion team and Residence Life team where needed.
If living on campus, students are advised to register with our Keele campus GP surgery and transfer any existing support over to this service. For more information or to register as a patient please visit their website.
The Student Experience and Support Team, based within Student Services are marking LGBTQI+ History Month by delivering specific drop-ins based within the Tawney Building. During these times, students can talk with a Support Officer, no appointment necessary to discuss welfare support, receive practical guidance on how to change their pronouns or discuss anything which is impacting their studies. Communication will also be sent out by the university with a step-by-step guide on how to change your details and how to become an ally.
