Crochet and Craftivism

Tuesday 11 February, 12-2pm, Usher Engage (ground floor, Usher Building)

Join the Usher Community and the BioQuarter Pride Committee for a lunchtime drop-in session of crafting and community building. Our two activities will be an introduction to crochet (whether you’re a crochet newbie or an experienced yarn-lover) and LGBT+ activism-themed fabric painting (canvas, paints and brushes provided – just bring your enthusiasm and creativity!).

Open to staff and students.

If you have any questions about the event, you can email BioQuarter.Pride@ed.ac.uk

Staff Pride Network Central Coffee & Cake

Wednesday 12 February, 1-2pm, Canopy Cafe, Edinburgh Futures Institute (entrance from Middle Meadows Walk)

Join us for our central bi-monthly Coffee & Cake meetup at the Canopy Cafe, Edinburgh Futures Institute on Wednesday 12 February, 1-2pm. All University LGBT+ staff and allies are welcome to drop in for complimentary cake and conversation in our accessible venue. To find our table follow the pictures/description on the Eventbrite link below:

Link: Staff Pride Network Central Coffee & Cake

International Shorts: Queer Stories (18+)

Saturday 15 February, 8pm, French Institute of Scotland, West Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF

Co-curated by Manipulate Arts and Sanctuary Queer Arts, this 90-minute programme showcases award-winning LGBTQIA+ animated shorts from around the globe. From tender tales of self-discovery to bold explorations of identity, the films range from a trans narrative within the Godzilla family to the complex life of a queer football hooligan. Animation proves the perfect medium for exploring rich inner worlds, transformation, and stories that might be unsafe to tell through live action.

Tickets £10/£8 through Manipulate Festival Box Office

Accessibility: Level access throughout, wheelchair accessible, closed captions [CC]. Accessible toilet on ground floor. Contact venue for access information: 0131 285 6030 or frenchclassesife@gmail.com

Content Warning: Contains strobing effects. Features themes of violence, smoking, swearing, homophobia, alcohol, drug use, racism, nudity, and sexual content across different films.

BOOK TICKETS

Staff Pride Network Kings Buildings Coffee & Cake

19 February, 1pm, The Nucleus Room 2.06 (Rowan)

February’s Coffee and Cake is this Wednesday, please come along to Room 2.06 (Rowan), The Nucleus at 1pm for some cake/biscuits and a chat with other SPN members! All LGBTQ+ staff and allies welcome to join!

‘We have always been here. And we always will be’ Exhibition

On display in Paterson’s land social space lower ground floor (Moray House) from the 14-28 February pay a visit to the exhibition. You can find details of the guided tour taking place on the 25 February further down this page.

A quote from Ash Scholz, one of the creators: “This exhibition is by no means exhaustive. It provides some glimpses into the incredible work of queer student activists and community members throughout a time of significant repression and discriminatory laws and policies. Without the work of student activists in the past, these successes would have not been possible at all, and we found a sense of intergenerational solidarity with the queer students that came before us through our research. The exhibition wants to take up space for an underrepresented community, with queer students being able to manifest their belonging at the University through having a visual reminder of their historical presence. Thank you to my amazing volunteer group, and all the support I have received from the School, without whom this would have not been possible!”

LGBTQuizzing Afternoon

Friday 21 February 4-6pm Paterson’s Land 1.26

Organised by UoE Staff Pride Network

We wanted to provide an extended social opportunity during LGBTQ+ history month that does not involve alcohol but features opportunities to get to know your colleagues better and also flex your quizzing skills on all things LGBTQ+!

Refreshments will be provided!

Please feel free to invite friends & colleagues from across the University, open to staff and students.

We will arrange teams on the day so you have a chance to mingle and meet new people.

REGISTER HERE

LGBTQ+ History Month Our Tribe @Augustine United Church

Saturday 22 February at Augustine United Church, 41 George VI Bridge.  Doors open at 1pm.

• Panel of speakers on LGBT Activism 1.30 pm – 2.30pm
• Drag Queen Bingo 3pm – 4.30pm
• Singer/Songwriter – Mike Mckenzie 4.30pm
• T Dance/Disco – 5pm -7pm

Please feel free to join us for all or part of the day. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. This is an alcohol free event. Changing space is available. The building is wheelchair accessible. Please ring the bell to the right of the main front door.  This is a free event and ALL are welcome.

If you would like any more information please email ourtribe@augustine.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you! Maxwell and the Our Tribe Team

‘We have always been here. And we always will be’ Exhibition Tour

LGBT+ History Month Seminar and Social

Tuesday 25 February, 12:30-2pm, IRR South 1.05

Description: Join the BioQuarter LGBT+/ally community for a lunchtime seminar with speakers from across our staff and student community. The seminar will be followed by a social with pizza. Everyone is welcome to attend.

FULL DETAILS HERE

Discovery Day : Exploring LGBTQ+ History

Wednesday 26 February, Main Library, events throughout the day from 1000-1700

At University of Edinburgh, you have access to archival material digitised from around the world to explore centuries of stories and voices on sex and sexuality, community organisation, protest and the fight for equal rights.

Come to our Discovery Day. We’re exploring LGBTQ+ History Month with a day of themed events in the Main Library, featuring:

Deep dive sessions into our digital primary sources.
Stalls with information, freebies and advice on library resources.
Hands on session with our unique archival resources.

Open to UoE Staff and Students!

Exploring LGBTQ+ Resources: Navigating ProQuest and Alexander Street Platforms
10:00-10:50, In-person, Main Library ML1.07

In this session, we will focus on the historical challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and the evolution of laws impacting their rights in the UK. We will explore a range of primary and secondary sources available on ProQuest and Alexander Street platforms, and will demonstrate effective strategies for searching and locating relevant documents to support your learning and research process.

REGISTER HERE

“The barman was quite cute, and could never resist a dare…”: gender and sexuality in the archives (AM Digital)
11:10-12:00, In-person, Main Library ML1.07

In this session, Dr Laura Blomvall from AM [Adam Matthew] will present on two collections of digitised archival material – Gender, Identity and Social Change and Sex & Sexuality – to show material from diaries of Anne ‘Gentleman Jack’ Lister to photographs of a Victorian fetishist, from the fight for gay rights and the rights to legal sex change in post-war California to British coming out stories from the 1990s.

REGISTER HERE

Insights into LGBTQ History with Gale Primary Sources
12:10-13:00, In-person, Main Library ML1.07

In this presentation Gale will illustrate the histories and stories contained within the Gale Primary Sources digital archives, as well as covering techniques for finding and interpreting LGBTQ primary sources. Given the unique collections that are contained within these archives, this session can benefit students from a variety of disciplines when it comes to their dissertation and thesis research.

REGISTER HERE

Exploring LGBT+ Resources in Lothian Health Services Archive

16:10-17:00, Centre for Research Collections Teaching Room 2, Main Library 6th floor (Central Area)

Are you interested in finding out more about support services for LGBT+ people in the mid-twentieth century? In this session, you will discover how these services were initiated and developed, and how they supported the LGBT+ community, especially during periods of change and crisis. We will focus mostly on the archive of the Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard (LGLS), but will also highlight sources on LGBT+ activism during the HIV crisis of the 1980s and 1990s.

LGLS was the UK’s first gay helpline and Scotland’s first gay charity, and it was a key source of support to LGBT+ people across Scotland and the UK. They campaigned and advised on sexual health, mental health, and equality issues, as well as providing listening and befriending services to people about issues or difficulties relating to their sexuality, as well as passing on details of gay-friendly organisations, counselling professionals, and sexual health advice.

This session will introduce you to items from this fascinating collection, and let you know how LHSA sources on LGBT+ activism can help with research towards your dissertation. We will also cover how to access archive collections for yourself, and share some hints and tips for first-time archive researchers. You can find out more about the Lothian Health Services Archive collections from our website.

Open to staff and students.

Contact organiser: Louise Williams (Tel: 01316508379, Email: lhsa@ed.ac.uk)

REGISTER HERE

Edinburgh Historic Walks 

Wednesday 26th February, 12.30pm, King’s Buildings House

Our February theme is Activism, and in honour of LGBT+ History Month, we’ll be discussing the role of the student union in fighting for same-sex marriage. We’ll then discuss other forms of activism, including links to abolitionism at King’s Buildings, before taking the scenic route up to the Royal Observatory, where we’ll discuss the suffragette bombing of 1913.

Join us on Wednesday 26th February to learn about Edinburgh University’s ties to activism and fights for justice. We’ll be meeting outside King’s Buildings House at 12.30, and finishing at 1-1.15pm at the Royal Observatory.

Book your place now!

Investigating How Societal Narratives and Social Networks Shape LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Risk

Wednesday 26th February 4-5pm,

As part of the Queer Minds Scotland Network (a collaboration between Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Edinburgh) we are beginning an online LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing research seminar series. This is beginning this month with a talk from the brilliant Dr Kirsty Clark reflecting on LGBTQ+ youth suicide drawing from research projects in the US (and in particular the southern states) and Scotland. Dr. Kirsty Clark will share research from both the United States and Scotland examining how societal narratives and social networks can shape suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth. She will discuss how the portrayal of LGBTQ+ youth suicide in media, education, and even research may contribute to risk. Dr. Clark will highlight perspectives from LGBTQ+ individuals who have survived suicide attempts and present new findings on how being exposed to the suicidal thoughts and behaviors of others may impact LGBTQ+ youth. This talk will encourage discussion on how we can reshape societal messages and strengthen support networks to promote resilience and well-being among LGBTQ+ youth.

BOOK HERE

The Future of Gender and Sexuality Data: Perils and Possibilities

Thursday 27 February at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

To mark the launch of the University of Edinburgh’s Gender + Sexuality Data Lab, join us for a panel discussion: ‘The Future of Gender and Sexuality Data: Perils and Possibilities’ on Thursday 27 February at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

From the laws that shape our rights to the algorithms that predict our behaviours, gender and sexuality data is everywhere – but who decides what gets counted and why?

The panel will explore how gender and sexuality data is collected, analysed and used – in policy and law, in technology and AI, and in our everyday interactions with organisations and institutions. The panel includes:

• Sharon Cowan (chair): Professor of Feminist and Queer Legal Studies, University of Edinburgh
• Reema Vadoliya: data professional, storyteller and advocate for inclusion in data
• Vic Valentine: Scottish Trans Manager, Equality Network
• Matthew J. Cull: author of What Gender Should Be (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024)

How does our approach to data enable and constrain people’s opportunities in day-to-day life? What are the wider effects of the datafication of identity characteristics – particularly for communities minoritised due to sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, class and/or disability?

What lies ahead in 2025? Will changes to the design of data categories make decisions fairer for everyone or are we trapped in classification systems that are beyond repair? Where the only solution left is to rip it all up and start again?

The panel event will be followed by a networking reception.

The Future of Gender and Sexuality Data: Perils and Possibilities | Thurs 27 Feb, 3pm | Edinburgh Futures Institute | Open to all | Register here

The Love Hub on the Road:  Edinburgh Edition

A series of 6 free workshops/events taking place in Edinburgh on 27 and 28^th February, as part of a collaboration between the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society and The Love Tank.

The workshops focus in on key issues that we’ve been grappling with – as researchers, and as community organisations/activists and we hope will create a safe and creative space to explore and reflect on some of these issues. These include but are not limited to HIV PrEP equity, inclusive abortion, DOXY-PEP/sexual health, disability justice and activism. They all take place in Edinburgh – at the Pleasance and at Lighthouse Bookshop. And we’re hoping to make a few available online: the PrEP Equity and Spoken word events will be streamed; disability justice workshop will be hybrid and interactive).

Please consider this an invitation to join some (or all!) of our events and to share widely with those you work and collaborate with.

Contact Dr Ingrid Young if you have any questions: ingrid.young@ed.ac.uk

Since the Universities mlist system isn’t the easiest to navigate it requires a page:

To access the list page for SPN members please click below but note the likely error and how to get around before clicking:

https://mlist.is.ed.ac.uk/lists/info/staffpridenetworkmembers

You will need to first log in via ease which should be straightforward the issue comes if you get this mysterious error shown above.

The error is that mlist site isn’t logged in as it needs you to click the University Login button on the top right. This should then finally let you through to the staffpridenetworkmembers list page and click the option to subscribe / unsubscribe and generally manage your preferences.

This week we celebrate Genderfluid Awareness Week. This began on Twitter in 2021 with a post by @LGBTQcontent and is now celebrated annually between 17th and 24th October.

Genderfluidity is a gender identity that is not fixed and can shift or fluctuate. Genderfluid people may shift between masculine and feminine, be a combination of both, be completely genderless or fluctuate. Genderfluidity is generally considered to come under the Trans and Non-binary umbrella.

This week raises awareness of Genderfluidity and is an opportunity to showcase Gender-Fluid culture and amplify Gender-Fluid voices.

This Friday is National Coming Out Day.

First celebrated in 1988, this day originally marked the one-year anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It’s founders, Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary, believed that once people are aware that they have loved ones that are LGBTQIA+, they are far less likely to maintain oppressive views and this was a powerful tool in combating homophobia.

“Most people think they don’t know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact, everybody does. It is imperative that we come out and let people know who we are and disabuse them of their fears and stereotypes”

– Robert Eichberg (1993)

Although this started off as an American awareness day, the meaning of National Coming Out Day is still highly relevant to LGBTQ+ communities across the world today.

The leaves are turning orange, the nights are drawing in and we begin the cozy Autumn season as we begin October! That means it’s Black History month and throughout October there’s also a number of varied Pride awareness days to keep an eye out for.

This month we have:

• Lesbian Day – 8th October
• National Coming Out Day – 12th October
• Pronouns Day – 16th October
• Gender Fluid Visibility Week – 17th-24th October
• Ace (Asexuality) Week – 20th-26th October
• Intersex Awareness Day – 26th October

If you’re new to SPN, please check out our Eventbrite page for our regular social gatherings by clicking here.

We have our upcoming Annual General Meeting on the 14th October via Zoom, where we update on the past year and vote in the coming year’s SPN committee.

If you’re interested in joining our committee you can find out find out more about the roles by clicking here. If you’re interested in standing for a role, please email us.

Happy October, all!

Through September and October a series of events will be held at St Cecilia’s Hall organised by the Heritage Collections department centered around unique artists whose work relates to LGBTQ+ narratives and themes. “Queer Voices in Music” begins with an after-hours social at the museum, followed by a series of concerts listed below:

7th Sept 19:00 Museum Late
21st Sept 18:00 Lauren Bianchi
5th Oct 18:00 Bogle Mufty
19th Oct 19:00 Finn Anderson

Click here for Eventbrite link

The 8th July marks the beginning of 2024’s Non Binary Awareness Week, a week celebrating and raising awareness of all things Non Binary.

This week culminates in the 14th July which is International Non Binary People’s Day. This day has been celebrated since 2012 when non binary blogger Katje van Loon wrote a post addressing a need for a day that celebrated those that do not fit within the gender binary and suggesting that the 14th July would serve as a good date for this, being that it falls between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day.

We are pleased to announce that pronoun badges are now available on both our Central and Holyrood campuses! This initiative aims to foster an inclusive environment, particularly supporting LGBTQ+ and trans* inclusivity within our community.

Where to Find the Badges:

• Central Campus:
  • Main Library (Ground Floor Helpdesk)
  • Centre for Research Collections (Sixth Floor)
• Holyrood Campus:
  • Campus Reception (Old Nursery Building)
• Argyle House:
  • Currently holding a box of pronoun badges which will circulate to different site libraries starting mid-July.

Badge Options:

• She/Her
• He/Him
• They/Them

Why Pronoun Badges?

Using pronoun badges is a simple yet impactful way to promote gender inclusivity. Whether through badges, email signatures, or casual conversations, stating your pronouns helps create a more respectful and understanding community. This practice is particularly significant for the inclusion of trans* individuals, who often face challenges around misgendering and lack of recognition.

Acknowledgements

A heartfelt thank you to Nel Coleman and Lena Wånggren for their efforts in organizing this initiative. Their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment is truly commendable.

Let’s embrace this opportunity to make our campuses more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

Feel free to pick up your badge and wear it with pride!

Here we will try to list all the events happening for Pride in and around the University (please check back for updates):

May

1. Staff Pride Network BioQuarter Coffee & Cake Social
   • Date: 28th May 2024
   • Time: 12:30 BST
   • Details: Coffee and cake social event at BioQuarter organized by the Staff Pride Network.
   • Link: Staff Pride Network BioQuarter Coffee & Cake Social
2. Staff Pride Network Central Coffee & Cake
   • Date: 29th May 2024
   • Time: 13:00 BST
   • Details: Coffee and cake social event organized by the Staff Pride Network.
   • Link: Staff Pride Network Central Coffee & Cake

June

1. Poetry Workshop
   • Date: 5th June 2024
   • Time: 10am – 12pm BST
   • Location: IRR South Auditorium
   • Details: Open to all members of the UoE LGBT+ community, staff and students, from any College.
   • Link: LGBT+ Identity in the Workplace: A Poetry Workshop
2. Staff Pride Network Evening Social
   • Date: 7th June 2024
   • Time: 17:30 BST
   • Details: An evening social event organized by the Staff Pride Network.
   • Link: Staff Pride Network Evening Social
3. Little France Pride March and Information Fair
   1. Poster: Little France Pride
   2. Date: 14th June 2024
   3. Time: March at 14:00, Information Fair from 13:30 to 15:30
   4. Details:
      • Wellness Walk: Undertaken by the staff and students of Little France to celebrate the LGBTI+ community.
      • Information Fair: Held in the Chancellor’s Building.
      • Free Smoothie: Available for participants (limited availability).
      • Meeting Point: In front of Chancellor’s Building.
4. Staff Pride Network Holyrood Coffee & Cake
   • Date: 18th June 2024
   • Time: 13:00 – 14:00 BST
   • Details: Coffee and cake social event at Holyrood organized by the Staff Pride Network. This event will run every third Tuesday of the month.
   • Link: Staff Pride Network Holyrood Coffee & Cake
5. Staff Pride Network Kings Buildings Coffee & Cake
   • Date: 19th June 2024
   • Time: 13:00 BST
   • Details: Coffee and cake social event at Kings Buildings organized by the Staff Pride Network.
   • Link: Staff Pride Network Kings Buildings Coffee & Cake
6. Queer Ceilidh
   • Date: 20th June 2024
   • Details: An exciting event organized for Postgrad and PhD students to celebrate and engage with the LGBT+ community. Hosted by the Edinburgh University Students’ Association.
   • Link: The Queer Student Ceilidh
7. Edinburgh Pride March and Festival
   • Date: 22nd June 2024
   • Time: Meet from 11:00 AM
   • Meeting Point: Levels Cafe on Holyrood Road
   • Details: We’ll meet at Levels cafe on Holyrood Road from 11:00 AM, then walk down to Holyrood Parliament for midday. Wear your SPN t-shirts and join us in the march. We have a limited supply of free SPN t-shirts available on a first come basis at Levels from 11:00 AM. After the march, we will have a chillout space available in the Informatics Forum. Contact details for access will be sent out the day before if you don’t enter with us after the march.
   • Additional Info: For the complete route, visit the Edinburgh Pride Official Website.
8. Pride Service at BSTM Church
   • Date: 23rd June 2024
   • Time: 10:30 AM
   • Location: Broughton St Mary’s (BSTM) Parish Church and Comunity Hub
   • Details: A Pride Service celebrating and blessing all our wonderful diversity. The service includes a reading from Genesis, a prayer from Baltic Pride, and an inclusive form of the Lord’s Prayer.
   • Link: BSTM Church
9. BioQuarter Pride Month Showcase & Coffee & Cake Social
   • Date: 25th June 2024
   • Time: Seminar from 12:30 to 13:40 BST, followed by Coffee & Cake Social at 13:40 BST
   • Location: Usher Seminar One, The Usher Building, Edinburgh BioQuarter
   • Details: An afternoon of talks on LGBT+ history and sociology, followed by an informal social in the Usher 1898 Cafe.
   • Speakers:
     • Andrew Gardiner, Senior Lecturer, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
     • Chase Ledin, Lecturer, Usher Institute
     • Bethany Parsons, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Corporate Services Group

     

   • Link: Staff Pride Network BioQuarter Coffee & Cake Social
10. Staff Pride Network Central Coffee & Cake
    • Date: 26th June 2024
    • Time: 13:00 BST
    • Details: Coffee and cake social event organized by the Staff Pride Network.
    • Link: Staff Pride Network Central Coffee & Cake
11. Staff Pride Network Trans and Non-Binary Meetup
    • Date: 27th June 2024
    • Time: 17:30 BST
    • Details: Meetup for trans and non-binary members organized by the Staff Pride Network.
    • Link: Staff Pride Network Trans and Non-Binary Meetup

July

• Staff Pride Network Evening Social
  • Date: 5th July 2024
  • Time: 17:30 BST
  • Details: An evening social event organized by the Staff Pride Network.
  • Link: Staff Pride Network Evening Social

Is there any other information or events you’d like to include? Please get in touch StaffPrideNetwork@ed.ac.uk