LGBTQ AT ORIEL ORIEL’S OPINIONS A HANDY GUIDE TO Eleanor Sharman “I'm firmly under the ‘Q’ banner, and would happily say that the JCR has an LGBTQ incredibly active, supportive attitude AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY towards those of non-normative identities. Change happens slowly in Oxford, but Oriel is doing us proud in standing up for individuality and freedom.” Jonathan Lester “As someone who identifies as , I have found living in Oxford a much more comfortable experience than the area in which I grew up. I also find Oriel a welcoming and Oriel’s recent history has been a good one for warm place, despite its traditional LGBTQ rights. reputation.” Last year, Oriel College flew the LGBTQ rainbow flag Jonathan Sanders several times, and many students flew the flag from “For those who identify as LGBTQ, their own windows to celebrate. Last year’s LGBTQ starting out at uni can bring with it representative Joey Dunlop fought hard for the concerns about how their orientation student press to drop its negative stereotyping of might shape their social life, but Oriel. Oxford offers so many academic and social opportunities that sexual During the year, Oriel held a variety of events to orientation doesn't have to play a promote equality, including a ‘ bop’ (a night in large part in deciding how your time the bar dedicated to appreciating LGBTQ culture), a here will unfold.” talk from author and artist S. Bear Bergman, and a discussion event around the concept Information, advice and of ‘queerness’. Rowan Milligan support for Oriel’s , “What makes Oxford’s LGBTQ gay, bisexual, trans and queer Oriel JCR subscribes to NoHeterox**, Oxford’s queer scene great is its diversity. You can communities zine, and Cuntry Living, a zine for gender equality, get involved with people and events both of which are brought to the JCR every term. ranging from the political to the 2014-2015 Please email me any ideas for events or issues I could partygoing. There’s something for everyone.” try to tackle this year! ([email protected])

WELCOME TO OXFORD! HAVING FUN CONCERNS? QUE(E)RIES?

I’m Kate, Oriel’s LGBTQ Feel free to contact me ([email protected]) at representative this year. My job is any time. Oriel’s welfare representatives Jonathan to promote equality for people of Oxford University LGBTQ society Lester and Melissa Barber have access to free all gender identities and sexual OULGBTQSoc (try saying that out loud!) is Oxford’s contraception whenever you need it, and they are also orientations in Oriel. Through the university-wide LGBTQ society, putting on welfare, trained in Peer Support if you want confidential year, I’ll be organising events, social, discussion and drinks events throughout the year. support or advice. Oriel College’s Welfare Officer representing your views, inviting Alejandra can be contacted at [email protected]. you to fun stuff and offering Bars, pubs & clubs support wherever I can. The Plush Lounge is Oxford’s dedicated , located If you’d rather get help from the central I’ve had Peer Support training so I’m also part of the near the train station - it’s especially great on Friday university, the Student welfare team - my door’s always open, but seeing as my nights. Babylove, now relocated to Paradise St, hosts the Advice Service is a free door’s on the other side of Cowley, you might prefer to popular LGBTQ night PopTarts, and Castle Tavern on Oxford University email me at [email protected]. Castle Street is a more laidback option, with seats, tables and (slightly) quieter music. The Jolly Farmers on Student Union counselling service, Many LGBTQ folk are quite happy just mingling with Paradise Street is a gay venue which also serves jolly good food. (Sorry.) available at non-LGBTQ communities, but if you’re looking for [email protected]. like-minded peers, Oxford has a huge range of Oxford Pride & Wadham QueerFest activities for you. Oxford has several dedicated club In June, Oxford Pride hosts a week of events, nights, bars and pubs, and the university’s LGBTQ culminating in the Oxford Pride march and a loud and IMPORTANT CONTACTS & LINKS Society organises a lot of events - email me if you’d like proud festival in the Oxpen fields. In November, to get onto their mailing list. Oxford University LGBTQ Society Wadham College hosts ‘QueerFest’, an excuse to head to http://www.oulgbtsoc.org.uk/ Oxford’s most liberal college for liberal amounts of fun. For anyone who faces difficulties at Oxford due to their gender or sexuality, there are support services Sexual Health Oxfordshire available to help - I’ve listed a few on the back of this JOURNALISM & DISCUSSION http://www.sexualhealthoxfordshire.nhs.uk/links leaflet. The university and its colleges have a NoHeterOx** queer zine commitment to uphold equality for everyone, so don’t Oriel subscribes to NoHeterOx**, Oxford Friend (LGBTQ Helpline) hesitate to contact me or the college if you need extra Oxford’s queer zine, which publishes [email protected], 01865 726 893 help or support. student poetry, prose, essays, articles and art on LGBTQ issues once a Oxford Nightline (confidential support, 8pm-8am) If you’re interested in engaging with LGBTQ political term. Contact [email protected] for http://users.ox.ac.uk/~nightln/, 01865 270 270 causes and activism, there are many routes you could more information. take: there are several zines and journals in Oxford Safe! Oxford (for under-25s affected by crime) dedicated to liberation movements, alongside the Circle http://www.safeproject.org.uk/, 01865 815926 Oxford University Student Union (OUSU), which has Oxford’s Queer Studies Circle meets fortnightly during a dedicated LGBTQ campaign. (http://ousu.org/get- term time to discuss gender, sex, and queer Oxford University Equality & Diversity Unit involved/campaigns/lgbtq) culture. You can get their updates on Facebook. http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/