LGBT rights are human rights

1
LGBT rights are human rights

• LGBT student activism within wider student
  activism

2
Introduction

• Claire Anderson LGBT Officer for the National
  Union of Students in the UK (NUS)
• Working on international issues as well as issues
  which directly affect UK students - want to
  increase and improve this work
• Proud to be a member of IGLYO

3
Experience and Motivation

• Organise and run the National Campaign for LGBT
  student rights in the UK
• A seat on the NUS National Executive Committee
  which directs the policy and campaigns of NUS
• Experience of including LGBT activism within
  wider student activism

4
Some questions to be answered!

• Why include LGBT student issues when working on
  wider student issues?
• Why do we need to make an effort to include LGBT
  student activists in wider student activism?
• How can we include LGBT issues in our work, and
  involve LGBT student activists in our activism?

5
Crossing borders to resolve ignorance

• Coal miners in Wales went on strike in 1985
• They wanted their employers to pay them a living
  wage
• LGBT activists stood in solidarity with the coal
  miners, and they won
• In return, the coal miners marched with the LGBT
  activists in their Pride march that year,
  dramatically increasing the size and visibility
  of the march, and helping to mainstream LGBT
  liberation within the community
• By fighting together, we can win for all

6
Student Activism

• Has the ability to empower and mobilise thousands
  of activists, giving them a voice
• Has the ability to advance new ideas and new ways
  of doing things
• Has the ability to question societal structures
  which oppress
• By working with allies, student activists can
  strengthen their voice

7
Student activism wins

• The CPE employment contract was pushed in 2006 by
  Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin in France
• It was solely for employees under 26
• It would remove the need for employers to provide
  provable reasons for dismissal for an initial
  period of 2 years making it much easier to fire
  young employees
• So unpopular that soon massive student protests,
  strikes and occupations were held throughout
  France, hugely disrupting universities and the
  government was forced to withdraw the proposals
• Student activism can win for all

8
Oppression

• Oppression is oppression, regardless of the
  reason
• Liberation is not liberation unless its
  liberation for all
• All the oppressed people in the world together
  make up the majority
• If we all work together, we can win for all

9
LGBT rights are Human Rights

• When LGBT activists fight for rights, they are
  fighting for the right to have their Human Rights
  recognised in the same way as everyone else
• We all should have the right to live in safety,
  without fearing attack from our family, friends
  and neighbours
• We all should have the right to a private and a
  family life
• These are rights which we all work towards we
  stand a much better chance of beating oppression
  if we work together

10
LGBT liberation within wider liberation

• Liberation is not liberation unless it is
  liberation for all
• Identities are complex
• We face multiple oppressions
• We need a holistic approach to Liberation
  removing prejudice and stigma, no matter what the
  reasons for it

11
Together we are stronger

• Work with all oppressed groups to achieve
  liberation for all
• We are fighting for the same thing freedom from
  prejudice, and all the ways it manifests and
  shows itself in peoples actions and inactions
• We must unite around common goals in order to win
  them for all

12
The barrier to inclusion

• LGBT activists are excluded by heteronormativity.
  This is the assumption that everyone in a group
  or an organisation conforms to a norm of being
  heterosexual and cis-gendered, resulting in
  LGBT-exclusive messages
• Most organisations dont realise that they are
  heteronormative because society as a whole is so
  heteronormative, most people dont notice
• The people who notice are the people who are
  excluded LGBT people

13
LGBT student activism within broad-based student
activism

• The UK government increased the price of
  university education by 200. They propose to
  increase this by up to 1,500 - massively
  increasing student debt
• In 2006, LGBT student activists joined with all
  other students in a national demonstration
• Funding of education is a major concern for LGBT
  students they demonstrated for their own reason
• But they marched together with everyone else, to
  demonstrate student solidarity and the strength
  of feeling on this issue
• Students marched together to tell the government
  that they wanted a fair, free and funded
  education system.

14
Campaigns where LGBT student activists have a
particularly important role

• Increasing the reporting and improving the
  resolution of Hate Crimes attacks on
  individuals based on their identity or perceived
  identity
• Sexual health campaigning
• Anonymous marking systems which prevent
  examiners or tutors prejudices affecting the
  grade awarded for exams and coursework

15
Integrating LGBT Activists

• Integration can be as simple as not being
  exclusive of LGBT activists
• Ensure that every message your organisation sends
  out is one of inclusivity
• Focus on avoiding exclusivity of anyone, as this
  way all students can be included

16
Making LGBT Activists feel welcome

• Dont assume that all your student activists are
  straight, and dont use language which assumes
  this!!
• When working on an issue, look at it from an LGBT
  point of view as well as other points of view.
  This will also add weight to your arguments,
  helping you to win!
• Delegate or create a representative of your
  organisation who has responsibility for LGBT
  issues and can be a contact for activists.
  Include this representative in wider decision
  making, for all students

17
In summary

• LGBT activists campaign for their Human Rights to
  be acknowledged and respected
• LGBT student activists have an important role to
  play in wider student activism
• Heteronormativity excludes LGBT activists. They
  must be given a voice so that their issues and
  concerns can be included in wider campaigns in
  order to include them
• Include the issues, include the activists!