I warn you now, I’ve never written a blog before. So don’t expect this introduction to be inspired literary and political genius.
The Personal Bit
- I’m nineteen years old, and I’m going into my second year of English and American Literature, which is pretty enjoyable, I have to say.
- I come from Nottingham where I’ve lived all my life. Much as I love it, I was glad to get away (family, boo hiss).
- Hobbies: Aside from this slightly obsessive but altogether justified passion for LGBTQ rights and feminism, I have various other ways of passing my time. I am a Brownie Leader, helping at a pack in Harborne during term time, and in Nottingham when I get back there during the holidays. I also play the clarinet, and undoubtedly sing too much. If this irritating habit ever starts to drive you insane, please don’t feel bad telling me to shut up. Other than that, I like to cook tasty vegan food, and hang out with my friends.
- Obviously, as well as all of that, like almost every other student under the sun, I love going out clubbing with some of the incredible friends I’ve made this year.
- Having come out as bisexual when I was about 14 (I think), and then as gay when I started college at 16, and then having helped to set up an LGBTQ Association at said college, I always knew I wanted to become pretty involved in the LGBTQ; but I don’t think I ever would have guessed I would be in this position only a year after coming to University.
Uni, and LGBTQ things this year
- Last year I lived in the Beeches, and had some seriously good, if absolutely insane, flatmates and neighbours. Much as living there was awesome, the major downside was definitely its situation a couple of miles away from Uni, although it did come with the significant benefit of being within walking distance of town, and cheaper than most of the other halls.
- This year I’m living on Hubert Road with 2 friends from the LGBTQ, thoroughly enjoying the big house of queer.
- I turned up at the LGBTQ for their first coffee afternoon during Fresher’s Week, who knew what an eager beaver I would turn out to be. I have to admit, I felt pretty intimidated going into the Guild for the first time ever and trying to work out who I was looking for, but by the time I’d been there for an hour the other people there had made me feel like I fitted right in, and I hope that they did the same for everyone else.
- As there were two open positions on the committee near the start of the year, I ran for Open Place (Women’s), and was elected at the same time as Dan Kelsey. From there I tried to become as involved as I could and basically just be there to help with whatever planning or organisation that needed doing. Among many other things, I have been involved in organising or taken part in:
- Homophobia is Gay 4
- Door Knocking for the LGBTQ Association in Fresher’s Week
- Been involved in meetings about the development of the <a href="http://www.equality.bham.ac.uk/staff/LGBTQI.shtml"Staff Rainbow LGBT Network.
Helped to trial the Counselling and Guidance Service’s Q-Chat service and attended training to run and moderate Q-Chat on a regulat basis.- Attended NUS LGBT Conference in Liverpool, which was hands down one of the best experiences of my life.
Coalition members with our award for LGBT History Month events
- Been a regular contributor and organiser for Coalition Midlands LGBT events, including our programme for LGBT History Month in February, which we won and award for at Conference.
- Helped with various campaigns including ‘Fight for the Right to Party’, an initiative about homophobia in clubs.
- Attended the St. Basil’s Sleepout, a charity event raising money and awareness for homeless teenagers, a situation that sadly, many LGBT people still find themselves in after coming out.
- Collected for Crusaid and THT for World AIDS Day.
Thats all I can think of to write about for now, this blog may well end up being revised in the near future if I read it back and realise it is, in fact, dire. However, if you have any questions, queries, or generally would like to contact me about anything else, please feel free to email me at e.cooper@guild.bham.ac.uk.
