Celebrating our History

This week…

Monday (22nd Feb)
No events posted for this day.

Tuesday (23rd Feb)
- Talk - Ex-President of Uni of Surrey LGBT

Wednesday (24th Feb)
No events posted for this day.

Thursday (25th Feb)
No events posted for this day.

Friday (26th Feb)
No events posted for this day.

Saturday (27th Feb)
No events posted for this day.

Sunday (28th Feb)
No events posted for this day.

Our History

Our History

LGBT History Month was first celebrated in the USA in 1994. In the UK it was initiated by the School's Out organisation in February 2005. Both were based on the creation of the highly successful Black History Month which first occurred in the UK in October 1987 (Black History Month USA takes place in February).

Although the month is coordinated centrally as an organisation, individuals and other groups are invited to create their own events for the month. This is why we have created the Guildford branch.

We are very lucky to live in more tolerant times, although stains on Britain's equality record still remain. Schools are still not tackling homophobic abuse in the classroom and as a result, you are six-times more likely to commit suicide if you are a gay young person than if you are straight.

With all three of the main parties wooing the gay vote, we may be witnessing the relegation of homophobia from those who once held positions of influence of power now merely to the fanatical few. LGBT History Month exists to celebrate the culture that emerged from the gay rights struggle - it is not exclusive to LGBT people, we are where we are today because of non-LGBT people who stood with us and fought for our rights.

If you'd like to find out more, come along to the events and take part!

February 9th

Can Religion and Sexuality Mix? at 20:00

Hosted by the University of Surrey LGBT Society.

Over the past few months we have been thinking about addressing the issue of sexuality and religion. So as part of LGBT History Month we have arranged for a Vicar to come to speak to us and facilitate a discussion on topics including the views of the church and also about his own experiences of being a gay clergyman.

It promises to be a an extremely interesting discussion, and we hope that as many people as possible can join us and participate.

It will be held on the university campus in room 06AC03 (room 6 on the 3rd floor of the AC building) a campus map can be found at:
http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/files/pdf/campusmap.pdf
more info

February 18th

Debate - "This house would revoke the gay blood ban" at 19:00

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED.

Since the 1980s, men who have had sex with another man (even if with a condom) are banned from giving blood for life. Is this a reasonable precaution due to them being a high-risk HIV group, or is it a discriminatory measure brought in as a kneejerk reaction in the 80s that must be repealed to address Britain's low blood stock?

Join us for the debate, speakers:

Proposition:
Chris Ward, Liberal Democrat Guildford Councillor
2nd speaker TBC

Opposition:
Oliver Deed, Chair of Surrey Labour Students (devils advocate)
2nd speaker TBC

The debate will be chaired by Katie McManus, Chair of Surrey Politics Society.

Speeches will be taken from the floor after the initial proposition/opposition speeches.

More details on the FB event here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=321453475880
more info