Role Description: Are you interested in working to achieve improvements for students who identify as part of the LGBT+ community? The LGBT+ Representative (BLSA) gathers feedback from and represents the interests of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender student community on issues they face.

You’ll also be supporting the Vice President Communities, coordinating, and convening with the Mile End LGBT+ Rep and Trans Representative for LGBT History month and other appropriate campaigns. You’ll be liaising with members of relevant clubs, societies and student groups and encouraging more LGBT+ students to participate and engage with the Students’ Union.

What's your favourite moment from being a student here?

Arianne - Although my time at the uni has been fabulous, one amazing moment was when I was a part of the Women in Healthcare mentorship scheme. I was able to have incredibly insightful conversations and learn more about the opportunities I can have after I graduate. It was fascinating to hear from such a wonderful woman, and how she’s achieved so much. I also got to go up to the Royal London helipad, which was sick!

Lucy - Sounds nerdy but probably starting placement this year. Meeting people from different walks of life and applying classroom learning to reality made me feel like my journey to becoming a doctor had finally begun. The laughs I have with my consultants always bring a smile to my face, even if they roast me about the football (CTID).

What's something you've done that you're proud of?

Arianne - I have volunteered at Mind charity as a befriender the past three years. I worked with a participant for 6 months and spoke to them every week about their problems. Although this was difficult at times for a variety of reasons, I was so proud of their achievements, and the progress they made. In turn, I was proud of myself in being able to support them and help them in different ways.

Lucy - My tenure as charity secretary of Badminton at Keele University in a past life led to me hosting not one but two successful traffic light parties. Might have arrived and departed in green to both charity nights (major L rizz moment) but we raised what must have been at least £2000 for Women’s Aid and ME Action UK across both nights so I guess it was all worth it.

What is a problem facing students and how do you propose to fix it?

Lack of education and understanding from students and staff about the LGBT+ community directly affects many queer students. Having people misgender you, use slurs, or discriminate against you is a disgusting way to create an unsafe and unwelcoming environment. We know for some perpetrators it isn’t a conscious thought, and rather a lack of knowledge, but that doesn’t change the immense effect it has on people. Our plan has many steps, of course, but in basic form: meet with module leaders to discuss and implement more LGBT+ health aspects into our curriculum e.g. trans health and breast cancer, and create informative coasters, posters, and screensavers surrounding language and information. We want to support student sexual health - free clinics, share unfiltered knowledge about sexual health (from all gender and sexuality POVs), and more, as both of us are extremely passionate about people having safe and healthy sex :))

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