Last week a dynamic gathering of pupils and staff addressed a keen audience, shedding light on an assortment of topics relating to the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ Society’s Symposium, held in the Marten Library, is a highlight of the society’s year which has become a safe space for people to learn and grow through the support of others.
The diverse variety of speakers allowed for a multi-faceted celebration and reflection on what it means to identify as LGBTQ+. From a reading of Audre Lorde’s A Litany For Survival, to a profound discussion on labels and identity, we also heard vivid recollections of the past and its impact on the present.
The personal, intimate, and uncensored nature of the talks facilitated discussions around questions such as ‘what does it mean to have an LGBTQ+ identity?’, and ‘how has queer visibility developed?’. We also learnt more about historical prejudice, often enshrined in law, such as Section 28, which prohibited the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ by local authorities.
What makes the annual symposium so effective is the passion of the speakers and the depth of their reflection. Thank you to all who participated.
