Update: Strategic Plan consultation; invitation for contributions; film

Strategic plan consultation: survey and drop-in session

As you are probably aware, the draft of the new strategic plan is out for consultation. It’s important that feedback is provided from a wide range of the staff population, LGBT voices included.

You can complete the online survey, but if you’d like to discuss any equality-related issues, concerns or thoughts on the Strategic Plan in person, the LGBT Staff Network will be holding a drop-in session this Wednesday (7 January), 12:30-13:00 in HG/013 (the former staff room).

Invitation to contribute to Faculty of Arts York LGBT History Month 2015 events

Dr Liesl King, Head of Programme for English Literature and MA Contemporary Literature, has invited members of the LGBT Staff Network to contribute to two events they are holding as part of York LGBT History Month 2015. Take a look at the message below, and, if interested, email Liesl (l.king@yorksj.ac.uk) by Thursday 15 January.

Dear Faculty of Arts staff members, members of the LGBT network, and other interested university staff,

We would like to contribute two events to celebrate LGBT History month in February. The events will complement a wide range of events taking place across the city, including those hosted by the University of York. It would be wonderful if you could get involved by presenting a five minute paper at the first event on the 19^th of February, helping to chair the panel at the second event on the 25^th of February, or simply coming along to one or both evenings to give your support and to enjoy a great evening! The events are as follows:

LGBT Idols and Icons

For ‘Idols and Icons’ we invite you to share an idol or icon with the audience. The idols and icons do not have to be historical – they can be fictional and they can be current – wherever your imagination takes you. We would like to present ten on the evening (5 minutes per idol/icon), and in each the presenter should explain why the subject is an idol/icon. If you have attended one of the Black History Month events you will recognise this successful format!

If you don’t want to present on the night, but have an idol/icon to introduce, then why not think about doing a quick phone selfie video talking about your idol/icon – we can present these even if you can’t be there!

If you’re interested then please contact Liesl King by the 15^th of January. The event will take place on the 19^th of February, from 6-8 pm.

The Well of Loneliness or the Depths of Despair?

Celebrated York writer Fiona Shaw will host an evening of debate around Radclyffe Hall’s novel The Well of Loneliness, published in 1928. After a short introductory presentation, she and three other panel members will engage the audience in a discussion which will consider the novel’s impact on the LGBT community, its place in the literary canon, and the novel’s potential to speak to a contemporary audience. Fiona will also be available to sign copies of her own work on the night.

If you are interested in acting as a panel member then please contact Liesl King by the 15^th of January. The event will take place on the 25^th of February, from 6-8 pm.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes (and a very happy holiday to all!),

Liesl

LGBT film at City Screen

On Tuesday 13 January, City Screen will be showing Violette, a film about Violette Leduc, a French author, and her relationship with Simone de Beauvoir. For more information, see the synopsis below or visit the City Screen event page.

Violette Leduc, born out of wedlock at the beginning of the 20th century and scarred by childhood trauma and a loveless marriage, encountered Simone de Beauvoir in the post-war years in St-Germain-des-Prés. An intense relationship began between the two which would last their whole lives, based for Violette on the quest for freedom through writing, and for Simone on the conviction that she held the fate of an extraordinary writer in her hands.

A parade of great French writers from Camus to Genet is brought to life by a magnificent ensemble cast as director Martin Provost vividly and unsentimentally recreates the heady intellectual atmosphere of 1940s Paris.

One of the most accomplished actors at work in France today, Devos (KINGS & QUEEN) gives an impassioned performance as Violette, portraying an uncompromising female artist’s journey from darkness to light. Kiberlain is equally brilliant, beautifully rendering de Beauvoir’s intelligence, severity and compassion.

Blog highlights and statistics from 2014

A rundown of the most popular posts, view counts and other statistics about the LGBT Staff Network blog in 2014 is now available in a flashy visual presentation!