LGBT+ History Month 2021

We recognise that there are significant challenges facing the LGBT+ community in academia, and we want to drive that change. With talks and lectures looking at history, science, medicine and more, we want to showcase the breadth of talent amongst our family. February is a chance for us to foreground LGBT+ stories.

We ran social events in collaborations between our students, staff, and DUSA. This opportunity helped us to to build new friendships and alliances across the University, and to really listen to what you think. Together, we can make the University a better place.

What is Queer Heritage: How Intimacies and Desires Shape Buildings & Places

How do we see and value everyday queer heritage? How have same-sex intimacies and gender diversity in the past been layered into the places we inhabit today?

Queer heritage has recently become ever more visible as buildings have had their LGBT+ histories rescued. These are increasingly recognised as an important part of the story both for the places and for our wider national heritage.

This lecture drew on the queer heritage projects that Professor Alison Oram has been involved with. She will look at places that might be 'queer' because of their architectural style or thanks to their association with LGBT+ inhabitants or activities.

Saturday Night at the Movies: Call Me By Your Name

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a night of snacks, good chat and a screening of the LGBT+ film, Call Me By Your Name (2017).

The film is accessible for free through Box Of Broadcasts, a streaming service accessible by all students and staff at the University of Dundee. It’s also on Netflix.

Saturday Night at the Movies: Rafiki

Thanks to everyone who joined us for another evening of nibbles, banter, and a screening of the LGBT+ film, Rafiki (2018).

Kena and Ziki live very different lives in Nairobi. Kena works in her father's shop and awaits the start of nursing school, while Ziki passes the days hanging out with her friends and making up dance routines. Their paths cross when their fathers run against each other for seats in the County Assembly, and they find themselves drawn to each other. Soon their interest grows to affection and the girls find ways to love each other despite the ever-watching gaze of the neighbourhood.

The film is accessible for free via Box Of Broadcasts, a streaming service accessible by all students and staff at the University of Dundee.

The Grand Rounds at Ninewells: There Should be Care Throughout

There is very limited evidence on trans people's access to sexual health services, particularly in the UK. Yet we know that globally, trans women are at higher risk of contracting HIV and are more likely to be diagnosed late. Trans people in the UK are less likely to visit a sexual health clinic than their cis counterparts and are more likely to feel worried, anxious, and embarrassed when doing so.

'There needs to be care throughout' is a peer-led project that builds on the small pool of existing research on trans people’s access to sexual health care and is the first national study of trans people’s experiences of accessing sexual health services in Scotland. The research was a partnership between Waverley Care and Scottish Trans Alliance, combining our respective expertise in sexual health and trans people’s access to health care.

We were joined by Oceana Maund from the Scottish Trans Alliance and Kevin McConville, senior lecturer and researcher at Ninewells, for our Grand Rounds. They talked about the project, shared their results and insights, and looked to the future of care for trans people.

The Grand Rounds At Ninewells: Blood Transfusion where are we now?

We were joined by consultant Dr Katie Hands of the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service introduced by Dr Kevin McConville of the University of Dundee. Dr Hands discussed the changes that will be happening in the service in summer 2021.

Since the 1980s and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, gay men’s blood has been treated differently. For many decades, countries around the world banned men who have sex with men from donating for life. This brought up a huge range of issues and challenges. In the UK, it took until 2011 for these restrictions to begin being lifted. In 2020, Scotland took the lead in the UK, announcing individual risk assessments rather than dealing with whole demographic groups as a monolith.

What does this mean for the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service? And is this an issue that only affects gay men, or does it extend to other members of the LGBT+ community?

Purple Friday Powerpoint Party

What is the body’s best organ? Is “Ironic” better than “You Oughta Know”? How many ropes do you need to go cruising? These subjects and many more have formed the basis of the PowerPoint Party, and we were thrilled to have hosted one for LGBT+ History Month alongside LGBT Youth Scotland.

The idea is simple: participants have 3 minutes to present on anything they like, using slides and pictures to illustrate their talk. Do you have a theory to prove? A pet whose antics need to be shared? A rant you need to shout about?