KCLSU Networks

Who are we and what do we do?

The KCL LGBTQ+ Students Network is collective of students and societies who share the common goal of working towards LGBTQ+ liberation. Officially founded in 2020, our main duty is to represent, support and advocate on behalf of all LGBTQ+ students at KCL.

The main way in which we aim to fulfil this duty is by curating events and running campaigns throughout each academic year, but especially during Trans Awareness Week, World AIDS Day, LGBTQ+ History Month, and Pride Month. We also do a lot of work behind the scenes, and work with both KCL and KCLSU, to ensure all LGBTQ+ students can have an equitable and enjoyable time while studying at King’s.

We understand that there is a huge breadth and depth of intersectional experiences within the LGBTQ+ community and we are extremely honoured and privileged to represent such a diverse student body. However, we are also aware that mainstream LGBTQ+ activism has been traditionally exclusive, often dismissing the unique needs of the Trans* and POC communities. As a result, while continuing to work for all LGBTQ+ students at KCL despite any other identity they may have, we aim centre the Trans* and POC communities and their needs as they are often the most vulnerable (and yet, the most resilient!) within our community.

If you wish to learn more about our initiatives, get involved with our projects, or if you are simply looking for community and support, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected]. 

For regular updates about all things LGBTQ+ at King’s, follow us on Instagram @kclsulgbt. 

Our Members:

First and foremost, all KCL students who self-identify as a part of the LGBTQ+ community are automatically members of the network. 

The member societies and their respective network representatives for the 2022/23 academic year are: 

If your society is interested in joining our network as an official member, please contact us via email. 

Our 2022-23 Network Co-Chairs are:

Taj

Hello baddies, my name is Taj (He/They) and I am first and foremost a human being who happens to be a 2^nd year Global Health & Social Medicine student at King’s and your LGBTQ+ Student Network Co-Chair for 2022/23. The first thing you should know about me, is that my style of activism is the three E’s; existence, education, and empowerment.

During my first year at KCL, I served as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Student Representative for the entire School of Global Affairs and as the black student representative for King’s LGBT+ Society (KCLGBT+). I also founded the first society at a London university specifically for queer students of colour (KCL QTIPOC Society). This past summer I have been working with KCLSU to develop a strategy to improve the wellbeing of underrepresented groups and increase engagement of said groups in existing wellbeing initiatives. This year, in addition to role of network chair, I will serve as the Co-President of KCLGBTQ, and continue to be the EDI representative for my academic department.

Outside of university, I hail from the small atlantic island of Bermuda. While a student a Bermuda College, I helped develop and strengthen Bermuda’s first and still only LGBTQ+ student organization, ‘The Village’. Through this group, I was able to lead many outreach campaigns on and off campus and lead the creation of a best practice document for educators and other professionals. I also attended two international conferences, one of which planted the seed for the creation of Bermuda Pride. While I was involved in Pride from the very beginning, I really became active in 2021 and 2022, helping to plan and organize the Pride offerings.

In my role as Co-chair, I aim to do the following:

• Strengthen and expand the LGBTQ+ Student Network by encouraging more societies to become active members and have network representatives
• Unify the LGBTQ+ community at KCL by building bridges between relevant societies, student networks and staff networks.
• Advocate for the expansion of gender-neutral toilets on KCL campuses.
• Run an awareness campaign around safe online dating practices for trans* and queer POC young adults.
• Host a bi-weekly tea time social for QTIPOC students to come chat and decompress in a safe space curated for them, called, “Tea Time with Taj”.

In my free time, I am extremely interested in and passionate about politics and fashion. I also strive to encourage and create opportunities for other young people to use their voice to fight for equity and human rights for all. In the future, I hope to work in the field of public health policy where I will continue to be a tireless advocate for the decolonization of healthcare systems, the implementation of inclusive and comprehensive sex education for all young people, and the equitable treatment of all LGBTQ+ people everywhere.

Jem

Hello everyone, it’s Jem (he/him). I’m a first year Comparative Literature student and I am delighted to be your new LGBTQ+ network chair for the 2022-23 academic year.

The LGBTQ+ network works to advocate for our LGBTQ+ students by raising awareness of pressing LGBTQ+ issues, combatting for more inclusive spaces, as well as representing change the community wishes to see.

As a trans person, I will work hard to create an environment where our LGBTQ+ students and staff at King’s feel safe and supported. My goal is to drive forward the voices previously unheard at King’s to be heard and acknowledged. I will try my best to provide a platform for inclusivity, learning, and respect, so that no one feels their identity undervalued or taken away.

This year, I hope to achieve two things: Transparency and Conversation.

I will fight for a place where LGBTQ+ folks can freely talk about their struggle with societal’s expectation, their struggle with dysphoria, their struggle with the external pressure to cement their identity, as well as many others. Empowerment and acceptance are key to my approach. I will be advocating for:

* Freedom

* More Queer-related studies

* Better tools to support LGBTQ+ folks in classes

* Better support and representation for QTPOC students

* LGBTQ+ mental health awareness and care

Though I am a first year student (and am silently quaking in my shoes), I am committed to my queer friends, teachers, and allies, whom I represent today.

The network will be hosting many fun events soon so come along, represent, and support! We hope to make your experience at King’s as a Queer person the best Queer experience you can possibly have - it’s called a revolution hunny.