LGBTQ+ Advocacy at LSE

A matter very close to my heart is LGBTQ+ advocacy. LSE has a long history in the struggle for queer rights as we were the founding place for the Gay Liberation Front, a radical group of LGBTQ+ people. This group were pivotal in resisting the Thatcher government's homophobic policies and also came together in solidarity with one another during the AIDS crisis. LSE Library is also home to one of Britain's largest LGBTQ+ collections. This history is certainly not forgotten and at LSE, there are a variety of ways to get involved in LGBTQ+ politics on campus.  

LGBTQ+ Society

Instagram - lsesulgbtq

The heart of LGBTQ+ life at LSE, the LGBTQ+ Society is involved in key advocacy work at the university. From maintaining a queer presence on campus, to the President of the Society sitting on the key steering group for LGBTQ+ policy at LSE, the Society is a core component to the workings of LGBTQ+ advocacy. If you want to get involved and run in the elections, there are three key positions: 

• President: This person oversees the entire operation of the Society and sets the direction too. They also sit on the LGBTQ+ Steering Group, as a key student representative, giving you an opportunity to influence policy!
• Secretary: This role is focused on the administration of the Society. From taking minutes of Committee meetings and being second in command to the President, they help the Society organise their events and make sure everything keeps running.
• Treasurer: This role is responsible for the financial health of the Society. The focus here is making sure the Society has enough money to run its events. This can be done through membership fees but also can be done by seeking sponsorships from LGBTQ+ friendly companies.  

These aren't the only ways to get involved in the Society! Each year, the Sub-Committee are selected by the Core Committee. If you have a flare for media and communications, you can run to be involved in the Media wing of the Society. Or if you have a drive for campaigning, you can join the Campaign wing too. There's also roles available for identity-based representatives (e.g. Bi Rep, Ace Rep, Neurodivergent Rep) or Welfare Officers too!

For any questions for the Society, you can either DM them (@lsesulgbtq) on Instagram or email them at LGBTQ@lsesu.org

LGBTQ+ Officer 

Instagram - @lselgbtqofficer

At LSESU, there are 7 liberation part-time roles for students. One of these roles is the LGBTQ+ Officer who sits on the Executive Committee, the highest decision-making body of the Student Union. Their role means that LGBTQ+ voices are represented at the top level. At the time of writing this, I am the current LGBTQ+ Officer for LSESU!

Whilst the Society largely focuses on maintaining a queer presence on campus, the LGBTQ+ Officer focuses on more institutional changes within LSESU and LSE itself. This involves sitting on the LGBTQ+ Steering Group whilst also working on their own initiatives, such as the Gender Expression Fund or the LGBTQ+ Gym Hour. In previous years, the LGBTQ+ Officer has created the Hall-Carpenter room (located on the 3rd floor of the Student Union) a space for marginalised students to meet and show solidarity, and also have run an LGBTQ+ Support Group. 

To reach out, DM @lselgbtqofficer on Instagram or feel free to send an email su.lgbtqpto@lse.ac.uk !

Spectrum (LGBTQ+ Staff Network)

For PhD students, LSE is home to Spectrum, the LGBTQ+ Staff Network. This network supports and represents all staff from LGBTQ+ backgrounds at LSE. This includes those who are freelance, contractors, sub wardens and graduate teaching assistants. Spectrum also holds events throughout the year, such as their intersectional conference with EmbRace "Nothing About Us, Without Us". 

Spectrum's aims centre around three core principles:

• Visibility and Representation: As the official staff representative group, Spectrum raises issues regarding LGBTQ+ equality and ensures queer visibility around campus.
• Culture and Education: To organise in-School cultural and educational activities that focus on LGBTQ+ issues, in particular in areas where the School has academic expertise, to promote greater awareness of debate on LGBTQ+ issues.
• Social and Networking: To provide a social support network for LGBTQ+ staff at the School, to encourage staff to feel open and confident about their identity.