Hi, I'm Katie [they/she] and I'm in the 1st year of my PhD in Education studying the experiences of LGBT+ teachers and leadership. I certainly didn't intend to stand for any elections in the first couple of weeks at a new university, but I believe it is absolutely vital that these campaign rep positions are filled to provide representation to minority/disadvantaged groups of students and ensure their voices are heard when implementing policy and campaigns at SU level. 

At my previous university, I was on the committee of the LGBT+ Association for a number of years, both as Campaigns officer and as President. This means that I have experience leading university-wide campaigns and events and representing the views of LGBT+ students, including at NUS LGBT+ conference. I have also facilitated workshops and conferences both locally and nationally on equality & diversity issues for educators.

As a student who identifies as disabled, queer and outside of the gender binary, I feel that intersectionality and consideration of the unique effects of overlapping minority identities is of utmost importance, and these are the areas of particular interest to me:

• The continuing SU priority campaigns around mental health and wellbeing, as research shows that LGBT+ people are more likely to experience mental health difficulties. I would ensure that LGBT+ specific mental health guidance and support is available and accessible including appropriate resources, signposting and the opportunity for digital (and eventually face-to-face) LGBT+ wellbeing drop-ins
• I would like to work closely with the trans' and women's campaigns reps on highlighting the importance of trans inclusive feminism 
• Celebrating and recognising the importance of LGBT+ history month, as well as other important dates in the calendar such as IDAHOBIT, Trans day of remembrance and particularly visibility days for underrepresented groups within the LGBT+ community such as Asexual visbility day and Bisexual visbility day, as misinformation and stigma around these identities sadly still exists
• Recognising the unique challenges that non-binary and gender nonconforming or questioning students may face, I would like to continue the positive work started talking about pronouns on campus with further visibility and recognition for non-binary gender identities
• This year will pose unique challenges for the executive committee in terms of considering the needs of students studying online and/or away from campus, when looking at representation and priority campaigns. Therefore, I would like to work closely with the LGBT+ and Trans reps, and the LGBT+ societies across both the Cambridge and Chelmsford Campuses to develop an accessible, university-wide, online offering for LGBT+ identified students this year to enable students to meet and network with other LGBT+ students and access support, information and advice

I am really passionate about support and representation for LGBT+ students, and I hope to be able to use my passion and experiences to make a positive change at ARU this year.