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Southampton Pride 2019

Sam Berry Leave a comment

This year we went to pride in force! Teaming up with the Bringing Research to Life roadshow, the Pulse LGBT+ network attended pride with a range of hand-on activities and freebies for Southampton’s wider LGBT+ community.

Sam and Andrew setting up the Pulse stall.

It was an early start, Sam and Andrew joined the roadshow team at 8.30am to help set up the tent and prepare for the 11am start, with other network members joining us shortly afterwards (we made it in time… just!).

The team assembles: Sam, Martin, Andrew, Alan and Anna crowd behind the selfie frame just before the crowds descend.

It wasn’t long before the network was joining in with the hands-on activities and the stall started getting busy. The Bringing Research to Life roadshow attracted a lot of interest to the University’s tent, with some fascinating interactive demos.

Jason and Sam show off their talents with the Chinese Spouting Bowls.

At 1.30, we began assembling for the Pride March. As an official sponsor, we were near the front of the parade. Presently the students of the SUSU LGBT+ society joined us and we marched together.

Our co-chairs Sam and Andrew before the March holding the University’s pride banner.

After the march, we returned to the stall until closing time at 6.30pm. The event was a great success and enjoyed by all. Thanks to everyone who came to visit us, and we look forward to a bigger and better Pride 2020!

Sam, Andrew, Anna and Alan pose for one final photo after packing up the stall.

Could you be the next Pulse Chair?

James Allen Leave a comment

Hello Pulse colleagues,

2018 has been a busy year for everyone. Pulse events and activities have influenced all corners of the University and across Hampshire. Being Chair has been a true delight, meeting and getting to know you and what makes you unique. However, due to recent changes, from Friday 12th October I will no longer be Chair of Pulse.

To ensure that we continue maximising impact and making change happen, I’d like to invite expressions of interest for Chair. Full Terms of Reference outlining the role(s) are available here: http://generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk/lgbtpulse/pulse-terms-of-reference/and if you’d like to know more then get in touch. Please send your expressions to myself and Aysha Rahman (s.a.rahman@soton.ac.uk) by Monday 8th October.

This is an exciting network, with many more opportunities to grow and strengthen the University in the coming years. If you’re looking for the vehicle to open up your professional networks inside and outside the University, provide a platform for discussion, and enable you to meet people who will benefit from our mission, then this is the role for you.

James

Rainbow lanyards: feedback and update

James Allen Leave a comment

In February during LGBT History month, Pulse began the campaign to promote rainbow lanyards across UoS. The lanyards are a symbol of solidarity, where any member of staff can show their support for the LGBT+ community and help build an inclusive place at Southampton. I’ve been delighted with the response and feedback over the past few months, where demand now outstrips supply.

The influence of the rainbow lanyards at the University has been far reaching. Whole teams have requested lanyards, prospective students and their parents ask about LGBT activities and events at Open Day, and elsewhere the increased visibility has been the catalyst to having open and honest conversations about how we support and accept each other. Here is some feedback received a few days ago, which I’m able to share with you:

“On Friday 22/6/18 I was at a school in Andover giving a talk to Year 10 pupils about Engineering as part of their careers day. I was wearing my Pulse lanyard as I generally do at external events (and internally as well of course!) – and also I know that the majority of our Outreach team do as well. After my talk one of the pupils came to speak to me to say she found the talk really interesting – but also that she really liked my lanyard and that she thought it was particularly cool as she is gay – which I thought was really lovely! I told her that it was a really simple but successful campaign at the university that had genuinely changed the atmosphere there in a very positive way! Anyway, I just thought you’d like to know that your wonderful campaign is having a really positive impact, both within the university and beyond!”

So keep wearing your rainbow lanyard with Pride; it makes a difference to more people than we may realise. In the mean time, we’re requesting budget for further stock so watch this space for when supply becomes available.

If you’ve got any other feedback or stories to share across the network, then let me know. Also, if you’ve got ideas for future campaigns then get in touch – this is your Pulse network.

Focus on Secretary Committee rep

James Allen Leave a comment

Following on from our message last week about Committee positions up for grabs in 2018, this post is about the Pulse Network Secretary role, a fantastic opportunity for someone who’s into social media and sharing our story.

What is the Secretary position about?

You would be collating and sharing information across Pulse, the ED&I team, external bodies and also help the Social/Events rep organise network meetings. The channels we have in place at the moment include:

  • Pulse Twitter feed
  • Pulse Facebook page
  • The new website blog posts
  • Other central University channels, such as SUSSED

You would get support as Secretary, from the Chair and/or other members of the University, in writing/maintaining communications and sharing our story and what’s happening with the University community.

What is the first task?

After getting access to the Twitter and Facebook accounts, this person will be working in partnership with the rest of the Committee to develop a communication plan for launch of the new website at the end of January 2018.

How do I put my name forward as Secretary?

Send your expressions of interest to James Allen by Monday 20th November. These will be collated and if there’s more than one, then a network vote will take place.

What other roles need to be filled?

Remember we’re still accepting expressions of interest for Social/Events rep (closing date is this Friday!) We will also be looking to fill the Vice-Chair role. If you’re interested in finding out more about these then check out the Terms of Reference for an overview or contact James Allen.