Who Am I…
Hi! I’m Krizzel :D (I use she/they pronouns)
I am running for LGBTQIA+ Officer for this year. I’m a tired university student who seriously needs to get off the internet once in a while and I used to run a secret LGBTQ+ Tumblr and Instagram so that’s how you know I’m serious.
I used to be a 1st Year Student Rep in just before the corona happened, so I am well equipped with the Student Union and the university administration.
I am a BAME and LGBTQ+ Peer Mentor where I help 1st Years get acclimated to things here at SOAS, so I have experience in being a point of contact to handle student problems.
Recently, I did an event called Intersectional queeries: understanding gender, sexuality and being POC where it was a place where queer people of colour could talk about issues regarding being POC and understanding how that impacted our sexualities and genders. It also had a really cool meme presentation which will be a constant within my time running.
On top of that I work with Rethink Mental Illness here at SOAS running mental health workshops. I personally understand the struggles that queer people and especially queer people of colour go through whilst growing up and trying to understand ourselves. Therefore, this is why it will be a key part of my work if I get elected.
Why Am I Running…
To be frank, I want to change the way LGBTQ+ events are done in SOAS.
Currently I think there is a massive gap for a lot of queer people of all identities to take part in any LGBTQ+ event and I would like more to be done.
Even though SOAS is quite accepting and there are many people trying to make LGBTQ+ Society inclusive, I would like to be in a room with other POC, people of varying genders especially trans and non-binary individuals, working class people, disabled/chronically ill individuals who just want a space to be queer (as they should)
I do not think it is enough to have the people in the space but a variety of different experiences to be heard hence I am open to any recommendations that will make SOAS even better for queer people.
My Queer Agenda…
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Accessibility (Because it should really be a given at this point anywhere)
I would actually like accessibility to be something that is implemented throughout all LGBTQIA+ events in SOAS and not just a one-off quirk to be special.
I’m tired of it not meaning anything and not asking disabled/chronically ill voices for their actual needs. I’m in the Disabled Students Society and honestly, I just want to be in a room where all my friends and I are able to participate and allowed to do whatever we want without accessibility obstacles from stopping us be independent.
Also I think it is mighty time we put disabled/chronically ill voices on the map and allow everyone to have the chance to participate in an event if they want to.
2. Events on lesser known LGBTQIA+ culture
There should be more events involving other parts of LGBTQIA+ culture such as trans inclusive events and more gender related events such as awareness of neopronouns.
I am also planning to have events about the A in the label which stands for Aromantic, Asexual and Agender respectively because I have not seen any A related events in SOAS for the years I have been here. Support is needed for everyone who is in the LGBTQIA+ community and not just a select few.
3. Mixture of different events, not just parties and going out.
I am an introvert and I always wanted LGBTQ+ events to be more chill and relaxed. I think there should be more of a balance for those who prefer events to be quieter and more laid back instead of going out to parties at late nights.
Given Covid has shown it is definitely possible, there could be Game Nights or Queer Café where we simply get to know each other. There is space for going out with the mates but there should also be space for cuddling with the bros (6 feet apart because they're not gay).
We need to create a community again in SOAS and having more events where people are able to express themselves freely is a step forward in that direction.