The LGBT+ Staff Community supports a group of student writers who are trans, LGBQ+ and LGBTQ+ allies. Building on hosting the Trans W/rites and Rainbow W/rites recital events, this support extends to printing an anthology of the collective’s poetry and prose.
The LGBT+ Staff Community invites you to be inspired by the works curated in Queer W/rites; copies are available in King William 020 on Greenwich Maritime Campus.
Queer W/rites
As Dr Cherry Smyth [she/her] (Associate Professor in Creative & Critical Writing who brought the group together initially for the Trans W/rites Zoom Event) explains, Queer W/rites is the first anthology at the University of Greenwich to showcase the creative writing of students who are LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ allies. The anthology grew out of public performances that were such successes that it became clear there was enough material to produce a substantial collection, and enough pride and courage to make this often intimate work very public.
Eight students from all BA levels, including lead editor Klaus Lister [he/him], graphic designer Aldana Albadr [she/her], Jordan Starkey [they/them], Johannes Alexander Bürgin [he/him], Adam Skipper [he/him], Maxwell-Steven Baker [he/him] and Alex Siebel [he/him], were involved in the creation and finalisation of the anthology, which provided invaluable experience for future work in publishing.
The poems and short fiction explore themes of first love, heartache, the trans-body, love in lockdown, bi shame and coming out. There is a rich array of forms from poignant and funny haikus and sonnets to a villanelle about being ghosted on Snapchat, as well as plenty of innovative and expressive free verse.
For many of us, reading about unspoken desire or experience has been a vital part of the process of accepting who we are and gaining the strength to live our lives fully. These new writers join the plethora of exceptional queer writers who have contributed to a flourishing literary culture in the UK, from Ali Smith and Andrew McMillan to Paul Mendez and Kae Tempest.
The thrill of being in print for the first time cannot be underestimated: it gives confidence in one’s voice, and chosen career, and delivers a context for one’s work that creates community and audience - something every writer needs throughout their life; and the recent re-print and publication of this very article project these voices further. Queer W/rites attests to the burgeoning brilliance of the young writers at the University of Greenwich and their commitment to being as raw and truthful as they dare to be.
I want to redo myself/until I have forgotten the face of my father/the anger of my mother/wrapped so tight around the map of my own/that without them/I would be lost/ - Extract from ‘Prometheus’ by Alex Siebel.
LGBT+ Staff Community support
As Jonathan Gascoigne (a member of the LGBT+ Staff Community) reflects, the themes immanent in the anthology resonate in the different ways in which members of the trans community continue to assert rights for human dignity and equity in the UK and worldwide.
Queer W/rites illuminates the promise in self-understanding, self-expression and self-actualisation that enriches us all individually and collectively among trans, LGBQ+ and all people everywhere. It is also a body of work that commands recognition of lingering imperatives, including the need for trans people not to be subjected to the harmful practices of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ and for trans rights as human rights in but the latest turn to ensure interrelated equity for all. The possibilities that exist when the former overturns the latter are profound in all areas of life.
The LGBT+ Staff Community’s support for trans equality is further set out here and below.
Connect with our communities
A community of staff and allies supporting the development of LGBT-related support and representation within the university. If you identify as LGBT+ or as an LGBT+ ally, you are welcome to join the community. You can contact or join the community through the webpage linked to above and follow @UoG_LGBT on Twitter for updates.
The network supports and represents women members of academic and professional services staff who feel comfortable in a female centred community, including trans women and non-binary females. You can contact or join the network through the webpage linked to above and follow @UoG_Women on Twitter for updates.
Greenwich Students' Union Liberation Networks
The LGBTQ+ and Women’s Liberation Networks create safe spaces, run campaigns, and educate members and others. More information is available on the webpage linked to above and follow @liberationgsu on Instagram for updates.
Supporting students regardless of how they identify, the society supports and develops the LGBTQ+ student community at the university and provides a safer, more welcoming and ultimately happier space for LGBTQ+ people. You can contact or join the society through the Facebook group and follow @lgbtqgre on Instagram for updates.
Connect with other community groups, services and sources of advice and support
- Support and Wellbeing - Student Wellbeing Service
- Employee Assistance Programme for staff
- MindOut - LGBTQ Mental Health Service
- Mind.org - Useful contacts for LGBTIQ+ mental health support
- Stonewall - Help and advice
- Student Minds - LGBTQ+ resources
