Pride Month Speaker Series

With The Fabulous Josh from Unmade Radio, and Portsmouth City Council.

UPSU's Pride Speaker Series to happen on the 15th, 18th, and 22nd of Feb, incorporating speakers from a variety of backgrounds that intersect with their experience of being part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

This event is open to both students and members of the community. All attendees must show their tickets on arrival to gain entry. 

15th Feb

As a society the LGBTQ+ Society create a safe, inclusive space for our members to get to know each other, make new friends in the community and take part together in fun events that we organise. We also take part in activist movements that strive for beliefs that we share, such as protests and marches for fairer treatment of and stopping violence against marginalised groups.

A short talk on documented and notable, anecdotal cases where people have felt a pressing need to hide the fact that they are LGBT+, for reasons ranging from current occupation, country of residence, etc. It will highlight cases such as LGBT UK footballers, LGBT travellers in Russia/Qatar, and personal coming out stories, with a hope to emphasise the improvements of such situations thanks to notable figures publicising their sexuality, which will hopefully empower audience members who may fear coming out themselves.

18th Feb - NEW DATE TBC

Council estate Queers: Do we have to abandon our history in order to 'achieve'?

Exploring the relationship of class and queer politics in academic spaces. We will be using creative workshopping to investigate the relationship, create our own definitions and understand how to make sense of our futures.

Josh is a performance-based artist and director working within a variety of disciplines, focused on bringing community activism with colourful accessibility. Drawing inspiration from working class culture The Fabulous Josh explores LGBTQ+ identity through pop culture, using their own autobiography as the practice helping manoeuvre important and poignant questions about what It means to be an ‘artist’ and ‘activist’

From nightclubs and galleries to community centres and theatres Josh eagerly lisps about all things queer, class and local – showing up and showing off.

As an award winning community activist Josh’s work within this sector directly feeds into the art created, trying to find meaningful ways to bridge gaps with communities but also to find a place where ‘community art’ has value and integrity, they do this through their company Downtown exploring the Portsmouth landscape to create bridges and physical spaces in the heart of Portsmouth, starting conversations on identity, placement and belonging, whether that’s through garden parties, workshops or classic cabaret performances.

22nd Feb

4US, 4U & 4ME: Support in the Community 

The LGBTQ+ Department at Portsmouth City Council pop by for a coffee and chat, an opportunity to meet the team, be introduced to the services offered, hear about the work and a chance to ask questions and get involved.

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Please be aware that this meeting could open up conversations that may cause some participants to feel uncomfortable and/or overwhelmed. Without judgment or criticism, we encourage individuals to take some time out of the meeting should they feel this appropriate. If you are comfortable doing so, please do make the host aware of the situation and they will redirect the conversation.