UCL STUDENT UNION LIBERATION NETWORK FOR TRANS, GNC AND/OR GENDER QUESTIONING STUDENTS
The Trans Network is one of five liberation networks for marginalised students which are part of the Student Union, UCL. We run regular events for trans students to attend, running campaigns to improve and raise awareness of trans rights on campus, as well as creating a welcoming community where trans students can meet each other
The Trans Network is generally managed by the Trans Officer. The officer chairs Network committee meetings and jointly runs the LGBT+ Network alongside the LGBQ+ Officer.
It’s important to note that the SU Trans Network is a separate group from the UCL Trans Network - this is a Microsoft Teams group for staff and students, whereas we are a part of the SUUCL and are therefore run by students for students.
We are a part of the wider LGBT+ Network, and trans students are welcome to attend any events run by either Network. While cisgender queer students are not a part of the Trans Network, all queer UCL students are welcomed as members of the LGBT+ Network.
WHAT’S GOING ON AT THE MOMENT?
OUR CAMPAIGNS
Right now, we’re working on several campaigns to improve the experience of trans students at UCL and to raise awareness. This involves working with UCLSU Active Bystander, making it easier for students to get deed polls and trying to reduce the TERF presence at the university.
The Trans Network is also working on increasing it’s advertising through the Student Union and it’s social media presence so that students can stay in the know about our events while not having to follow our accounts in case other people can see this.
We’ll keep you updated about the campaigns we’re running, as well as about campaigns and protests for trans rights run by groups external to UCL.
OUR EVENTS
The Trans Network generally runs a couple of events a month, or more during important times for the trans community, like Trans Awareness Week and LGBT+ History Month. These events are open to all students who identify as trans, gender non-conforming and/or gender questions. Trans students are also welcome to all events run by the LGBT+ Network.
You can find out more about the events we’re running by looking at the SU UCL What’s On calendar, or by checking out our social media pages. Our Instagram has a list of all the events the Trans Network currently has scheduled for this year (please note this is subject to some changes). The Student Union Instagram account also tends to post about our events on their story.
HOW WE RUN
The Trans Network is one of the Student Union’s five Liberation Networks, and run by the Trans officer, who holds one of five corresponding Liberation Officer positions. We receive funding from the Student Union, which means we don’t need to charge membership fees. There’s no official joining procedure as such, as in, we don’t have a list of people who are ‘in the Trans Network’. However, we’d love it if you stayed in touch with us and joined our group chats.
The Trans Network committee has been recently created so that the Network can work better and more efficiently. There are five positions on the committee, and their roles are briefly listed and explained here:
The Trans Officer sits on Union Executive and all three zones, working directly with the Student Union to improve how the trans community is treated at UCL. They chair Network committee meetings and oversee the other four committee roles.
The Network Secretary makes sure the administration of the Network runs smoothly, from organising committee meeting times to sorting out the Network’s finances.
The Communications Coordinator engages with other UCL and non-UCL bodies to create events and opportunities for trans students, and works on campaigning for trans rights.
The Events Coordinator plans and hosts the majority of our events, and organises meetups for Network members to happen outside UCL as well as on campus.
Finally, the Welfare Coordinator provides support and advice to trans students, helping them navigate UCL systems and pointing out charities and volunteers who help trans youth.
GET INVOLVED
You can get involved in how the Student Union runs by submitting policy ideas. These will be discussed and voted on at the relevant Zone meeting (Activities, Education or Welfare and Communities) before being ratified by Union Exec. The Network recommends submitting policies rather than items for discussion so that concrete action can be produced.
While you may have to wait a while for your policy idea to be discussed, it might be useful to go through an official process if your idea would contradict current Union and/or UCL protocol, or if it’s faced resistance from staff member.
We’re more than aware that a lot of suggestions from the trans community and/or about trans rights fit one, if not both of those mentioned cases. The Trans Network is determined to have trans voices be heard by the Union and UCL, so please reach out to us if you want any help with submitting a proposal. You could also discuss it with the Sabbatical officer who chairs the zone that you’d be submitting the policy to.
The form to submit policies is here: https://studentsunionucl.org/forms/submit-idea
You can contact us via sending a DM to our Instagram, or by emailing a member of the committee. The Trans Officer has the most regular contact with the Student Union, and you can email them at [email protected]
GET IN TOUCH
OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES
There are lots of ways you can get in contact with the Trans Network, and we’d love to hear from you! We’re active on Instagram and Facebook, and you can find out about what we’re doing by following us on those. We are @ucltrans on both platforms, and you’re more than welcome to DM us on our Instagram page. All the relevant links for the Network are on our Linktree, which is in the website section of all our social media pages.
OUR COMMITTEE
You can also get in touch with any of our committee members, who are here to help if you have any questions. The committee member’s email addresses and names are listed here.
Trans Officer:
Network Secretary: George Phibbs, [email protected]
Communications Coordinator: Flynn Klein, [email protected]
Events Coordinator: Oak Lawrenson, [email protected]
Welfare Coordinator: Blue Rigby, [email protected]
GETTING HELP OR ADVICE
Our Welfare Officer is there to point you in the right direction if you have a trans-related issue or want some advice. There are also a lot of great charities which help trans and queer people who you can go to for help. Their websites are listed here:
Gendered Intelligence - increasing understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people
Galop – supporting LGBT+ people who have faced abuse, assault and violence