Firstly, let me introduce myself. I'm Zach Rumble, Student Union Vice-President of Equality and Welfare for the past academic year, and President-Elect for the year coming, as well as a trans man.
Possible trigger warning: in this blog I mention the Stonewall Liberation, Black Lives Matter and discrimination, including the laws around it. It isn't graphic in any nature, but it may be upsetting for some.
In our Students' Union alone, we are incredibly diverse - consisting of multiple ethnicities and nationalities, gender identities, romantic orientations, range of ages and religious beliefs. And I'm incredibly thankful we have such a wide array of input and representation to help us make decisions and create ideas for students moving forward.
We also have dedicated executive positions for representation of groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and our ESOL community within the College. In addition, we have Officers for the representation of Mature students, International students, the Development of the SU, Green Impacts, and others.
We take representation and input very seriously, so please come and speak to us if you'd like to talk or apply to see a list of available positions.
It's June, so - Happy Pride Month!
While the current situation of the world is different than other years, it's still a time to be proud, and for acceptance in the LGBTQ+ community - of which I'm glad to say I'm a member of.
Pride Month is also a time for reflection, and to educate ourselves in our societal history. For example, Pride wouldn't exist without Marsha P Johnson...
Marsha P Johnson was a Black transgender woman who pioneered the LGBTQ+ rights movement into what it is today.
In 1969, Greenwich Village, New York, undercover police officers raided the Stonewall Inn (one of the few bars that would serve LGBTQ+ people - as being so was illegal until 1980), to arrest anybody they deemed to be breaking the law by not wearing 'gender appropriate' clothing.
In protest, patrons refused to show their ID's, and when the officers became violent they started to riot. Amassing nearly 1000 people by the third night, the police set the Inn on fire. Marsha was one of the leading members of the riots.
These riots were the catalyst for a new age of civil rights. They led to the founding of many LGBTQ+ groups, and a year later, the first Pride Parade was held. Which, of course, led to the eventual decriminalisation of homosexuality and gay marriage, and the legal protection of gay rights in over 120 countries.
However, it's still punishable by death to be LGBTQ+ in 13 countries.
The current movement for equal rights, safety and protection of Black people is a fight for all Black people - including those who identify within the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, fighting for Black rights means fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, and vice-versa. Our causes are intrinsically linked.
The Black Lives Matter Movement is now the biggest civil rights movement in history - with all 50 US states and 18 countries (and counting) leading protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.
Any loss is painful, but when it is specifically due to an unjust system, that breeds power instead of authority, it aches even more. It aches that George Floyd is now another name on that long, long list.
I'm aware that I will never feel the same pain, experience the hatred, discrimination and prejudice that People of Colour do. None of us can feel the exact same way, but we enact empathy. We learn to be better allies, to use our privilege to raise the voices that need more volume, shine lights on the acts that need to change, and stand beside you to lean on.
As an Ally, there is a lot that you can do to help. If you choose to, then protest safely. If you’re able to, donate to causes aiding those who are affected. You can sign petitions and write to your local MP, as well as raising awareness online and speaking to people you know about the issues and challenge views.
All of us benefit from diversity. We can widen our perspectives, discuss different experiences and educate ourselves about the world around us. We all prosper when we work together.
Together, we achieve more. This world is for all of us, and we are capable of living together without hate.
Thank you all so much for reading, please stay safe and stay well.
