Passed: March 2022 (14th)

What do you want? / Why do you want it? 

In the Stonewall Report on LGBT+ in Universities in 2018, they stated that More than two in five LGBT students (42 per cent) hid or disguised that they are LGBT at university in the last year because they were afraid of discriminationne. In 2021, Stonewall did another report and one of their recommendations were: Universities and colleges should ensure LGBT+ individuals have tailored and relevant support. From these reports and personal experience of myself, my friends and other students I feel that a permanent LGBT+ space in the union would help with a sense of belonging for our LGBT+ students and become a space that could be a safe space for our students. The union is currently changing their Liberation work with Liberate LUU and this would be another step to try and make the university more comfortable for our marginalised students. 

This space would be a liberation space for our students. It would be a sensory safe space for students who suffer with sensory overload as well be a bookable room for events aligning with equality, inclusion and liberation. 

The need for this space is important. In the Stowall Report on LGBT+ in Universities in 2018, they stated that More than two in five LGBT students (42 per cent) hid or disguised that they are LGBT at university in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination. 75% of Black students suffer from mental health issues due to racism. A lot of disabled students don’t disclose because they’re worried about the stigma & 97% of women being sexually harassed in the UK. All of our liberation groups are facing discrimination currently on and off campus and having a space to feel entirely comfortable is a key part of dealing with the struggle. 

Many student unions have similar rooms and spaces. The University of Manchester Student Union has a Liberation space that has a Liberation library. Goldsmiths student union also has a Liberation room that is described as available for small liberation group activities and informal groups of minority students. This is just to name a few but it shows that student unions find it useful to have these spaces and students resonate well with them.