Pride Department

BY AVERY WRIGHT & ALKASIM GHANIM

2021 has been an interesting year for the Pride Department, as we have tried to manage a chaotic and uncertain situation with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, we persisted through it all and we able to achieve some incredible things this year.

This year we have run four major events: our O-day stall, our annual quiz night, our camp, and our theme week. It was really encouraging to see community organisations, such as WAAC being present for Pride Fest. Our quiz night this year sold out and was a major success selling over 100 tickets. The other three events also achieved successful turnouts. In terms of smaller events organised this year it was incredible to collaborate with UWA Guild Volunteering and WAAC to run two micro-volunteering events where over 1500 safe sex packs were made. As one of the premier LGBTQIA+ service providers in the state it was fantastic to see students come out to support them. Additionally, we ran over a dozen weekly events and organised for the Pride Department to attend the events of other departments, clubs and take part in the PROSH sale this year.

The other important role we perform as a department is to advocate for queer students on campus. A few of our huge achievements this year include changing the data used for class lists and student cards to be preferred names by default, being a voice on the City of Perth’s LGBTQIA+ advisory group to help guide future policy, and reviewing the Pride Department regulations. Additionally, we have continued to work with the UWA LGBTQIA+ working group, participated as a speaker at the lived experienced training they host as well as numerous other panels on campus to help educate people about LGBTQIA+ topics. We have continued to maintain the Pride Room as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students on campus, and it has been nice to see that we have plenty of regulars who stop by, either to study or just to enjoy a space where they can be themselves safely.

Overall, 2021 has been incredibly successful and as Pride Officers we could not be more grateful to have had the opportunity. Looking forward we hope to see the department grow and expand its efforts so that it can continue to provide support to even more of our LGBTQIA+ students on campus.