My reflections on this year's LGBTQ+ History Month

Thursday 29 February marks the last day of the amazing LGBTQ+ History Month and also happens to be leap day πŸ˜Š  

This past year has been difficult for many, and a space where people can come together, feel heard and have their identities celebrated is more important than ever.  

At a time like the one we are in, these connections and sense of belonging to a larger community can feel like the only thing keeping some, myself included, feel afloat.  

As part of a large diverse community, the UCL Queer+ community is reflective of that and the evidence is in all the fantastic stuff we have had this past month to celebrate the community and open up the space for uncomfortable, but sometimes very needed conversations about the queer experience.  

In wrapping this amazing month up, I would like to share some of valuable moments I have had and how this history month made me feel a part of something bigger. 

On the first day of February, Drag Society decided to drop the mic with the most fabulous show, with a special lovers-to-enemies number between DragSoc's very own Fah and a certain Rishi Sunak. All I can say is it was pure art. 

I had the joy of performing as part of Drama Society's Pride showcase, which knocks it out the park every single year! I was in a play on the experience of being Bi and brown, something not only I can relate to, but can spend hours laughing through awkward experiences about. To me, that’s what Pride is; it is much more than just putting on a few short plays. The people. The community we create. The bonding over experiences that aren't often talked about. The screaming "slay" and "gay school trip" as more than 30 of us take over the Northern line on our way to Heaven after the last performance. All of it, really! This is just my experience with Pride, but that is not the only space where this happens. From Film Society's GendFilm to Shakespeare Society's interpretation of Measure For Measure, us Queer folk crave these spaces and take up any chance to share and explore our experiences with others.  

Beyond this, this month has also given us the opportunity to have uncomfortable conversations; I recently attended a workshop on Trans lives and Eugenics, as well as talked through UCL's LGBTQ action plan with Vice Provost Kathy Armour. The action plan touches on a lot that needs to be done, but I want to take the opportunity to highlight one specific goal, which is at the heart of what makes what we do during LGBTQ+ History month so crucial. One of UCL's goals is to increase visibility of LGBTQ staff and students amongst the community, which is essential to not only show the potential one can have in all spaces at UCL, but that they are alone on this journey. 

More importantly is to increase the visibility of a diverse voices within the LGBTQ community and celebrate their impact. I did a fun thing where I went around our notorious Glittoris Drag night in Phineas asking for people's Queer icons (watch on TikTok). Amongst the interesting responses people gave such as Dan & Phil and Danilo, our LGBTQ+ Network's Social secretary (lol), all of them had one common thing- a desire to feel seen and represented. And that is something that truly resonates with me. 

Growing up, Queer Arab voices were not that common, but voices like Hamed Sinno, the lead singer of the Mashrou Leila band made music I could relate to and hearing people like Lebanese comedian Shaden say she was Gay on Lebanese national TV all made me feel more comfortable in my skin. I hope that the things going on this past month had that spirit and that we always have a space where an intersection of identities is represented and celebrated. 

As we close this fabulous month off and head into a packed Women's History Month, we should always be mindful of creating space for those that need it most to truly be serving our communities. I hope this month has brought everyone happy memories and meaningful connections! And! If you have still got pride overflowing, do not fret, that is not all... check out Drag Soc's show tomorrow

See you next time :) 

Your EI Officer  

Ahmad  

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