UPSU LGBT Society

Richard Davies applying for President

Hey hey people, as many of you may know I am Richard Davies, or just Rich to most of you, and I am running for the position of LGBT President! I am coming to the end of my second year of Architecture, and have been a member of the LGBT for two years, and Social Secretary and Vice President for this current year. As such I have organised nights out, including trips to Brighton, London, Southampton, and nights out in our very own ‘Lovely’ Portsmouth

I have loved being on and part of the committee this year, I’m not going to lie, it’s been very stressful, but when things have come together it’s been all the more enjoyable. The LGBT means so much to me, and I see this as my opportunity to shape and improve upon it to make it bigger, better and more inclusive.

Not only should we be encouraging people from our own university to join up and make a difference through our Campaigns, but I believe we should reach out into the local Portsmouth community, towards the Further Education Colleges. Young people need to know that the LGBT community is there, and more importantly that it is there for them should they need it.

This year I want to take Portsmouth LGBT to a whole new level, with a greater reach to our local neighbouring LGBT’s in Portsmouth, and to those of other universities, some of which I have already created healthy social relationships with; such as Brighton, Southampton, Chichester, Bath and London MET. I also recently attended the NUS-LGBT Campaigns Conference, which opened my eyes to what more we could be doing as a society, and it has inspired me to want to become more campaign conscious, there’s always more we can fight for and it’s our responsibility to do what we can.

I am an outgoing, sociable and most importantly approachable individual, who wants to see the LGBT be even bigger and better than ever. But no-one can do that alone, each and every member can make a difference, and I aim to encourage more of our members to stand up and voice their own opinions, giving strength to the upcoming NUS Campaigns, and help to make the UPSU-LGBT Society more widely recognised and set-up a better relationship with our own Student’s Union.

I have also formed strong communicative ties with members of the local LGBT community, such as Marthas, The Old Vic, the event night of Gorgeous and the Hampshire Boulevard. I believe I can make a difference, and I know how the society and committee works, having also held the position of Vice President, picking up and running meetings where our President has been absent and ensuring our committee runs smoothly so that in turn, so too can the Society.

I know that’s a lot to read, so I’d also like to summarise a number of aims to which I want to achieve this year as YOUR UPSU-LGBT President. If elected I aim to;

Improve our relationship with the Student’s Union, and ensure it works with us and for us as it should, and does for others. The Union is there for all students and we should make the most of it.

Become more involved with Campaigns, including the NUS Campaigns, and promote our existing work to put our LGBT on the NUS-LGBT’s radar.

Interact more with other university LGBT societies, through multi-Uni events and socials to encourage greater ‘tolerance’, acceptance and education of other societies and their attitudes towards the LGBT.

Set up events which Further Education Colleges of the local area can be included in.

Seconding Statement by Chris Gunner, Media Officer.

It goes without saying that the role of LGBT president requires an individual capable of, and eager to, dedicating large amounts of their personal time and effort into running and improving our society.

For this reason, along with many others, I believe Rich is incredibly well suited to the role. Since his joining of the society, he has consistently shown himself to be an active member, participating in and organising nights out and events for the group. During this past year I have worked alongside him on the committee and have seen firsthand his enthusiasm, drive and commitment towards the society.

Ultimately, somebody who applies for LGBT president needs not only to be adept in organisation. They need to be passionate and dedicated to every aspect of LGBT issues, be they campaigns, welfare, or simply having fun. I personally believe that Rich possesses these qualities, and would make an amazing president.