quote: Originally posted by: JohnK "What does everyone think of the new colours and stuff on the website?"
Interesting. I remember one of the main concerns at the society's A.G.M. last year was that the website should be discreet, but that's obviously gone out of the window with the new PINK AND PURPLE forum.
As for the "member ratings", I find them frankly offensive. I'm all for having a bit of fun, but I think that's going too far.
Oh yes, I have noticed that posts (some of them mine and some of them other peoples) are disappearing left, right and centre. It's a shame that forum admin is becoming increasingly trigger-happy with the delete button and censoring almost any criticism of the society.
Nice to see the website's actually being updated though. Now I know when I can go to society events and, as usual, be ignored.
Interesting. I remember one of the main concerns at the society's A.G.M. last year was that the website should be discreet, but that's obviously gone out of the window with the new PINK AND PURPLE forum.
:"
Erm, the forum and the webiste are different things. We're having the website redesigned at the mo and its looking great. The new forum colours ar fitting with the new websites colour scheme.
As for discression, I think we decided that having a shadow/discreet site option was the best thing and it is something we are thinking about.
quote: Originally posted by: Anonymous " As for the "member ratings", I find them frankly offensive. I'm all for having a bit of fun, but I think that's going too far.
"
We've all had a good laugh about the ratings system today. Its meant to be light hearted fun, but oh well. What do others think? Is having a bit of a laugh offensive? If a majority of people don't like them they can easily be removed.
I'm not being sarcastic when I ask WHY? is it offensive? Maybe if you explain we can talk about it properly and perhaps tone the ratings down, remove them, or keep them.
quote: Originally posted by: Anonymous "
Oh yes, I have noticed that posts (some of them mine and some of them other peoples) are disappearing left, right and centre. It's a shame that forum admin is becoming increasingly trigger-happy with the delete button and censoring almost any criticism of the society. "
Forum Admin and the Moderators only remove posts which are offensive or completely useless. Its not often I remove posts (because I am a moderator) and any criticism of the society will be kept up and discussed. See various threads about this.
There have been some rather nasty threads recently about me and others and they are closed and deleted or investigated (as was the thread started by someone pretending to be laurence).
I have also been removing *bump* posts because they are useless and add nothing to the debate. If you want to bump a topic up, why not add a comment or opinion rather than simply putting *bump*
None of the Forums Moderators are trigger happy or censoring criticism - criticism, mainly by you, is slapped all across this forum, yet when we try to solve the problems of bitchiness by deleting bitchy and offensive threads, you become all over excited about 'censorship'.
quote: Originally posted by: Anonymous "
Nice to see the website's actually being updated though. Now I know when I can go to society events and, as usual, be ignored.
"
The thing is anonymous, I know who you are. You haven't been to one event this year and you aren't a member. No one at any of our events is purposely ignored. I and others have constantly explained how, if you feel ignored, to complain to us (luu.lgbt@leeds.ac.uk) or to resolve the situation by both let us know your coming to certain events or perhaps being a little more talkative at events. So stop bad mouthing the society for bad mouthings sake, stop hiding behind anonymous postings and enter into some dialouge with us so we can resolve whatever gripes you have about the society.
-- Edited by JohnK at 04:37, 2004-11-13
__________________
Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
Oh yes, I have noticed that posts (some of them mine and some of them other peoples) are disappearing left, right and centre. "
Just to further clear this up.....
The forum has a facility where by you can look at all the deleted messages and, if you wish, restore them.
In the past MONTH only 10 messages have had to be deleted. Four of them said *bump*, two of them were my own because I was having trouble logging in and kept making 'test' posts, the other four were offensive threads some removed from The Epic Xmas Carol thread and one removed from a thread because it was a personal attack on another forum member.
Hope that makes it clear that posts are rarley deleted, and when they are, its for good reason.
John K x
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
I'm not who you seem to think I am. That person may well be posting anonymously on this forum. Indeed a great many people may be posting anonymously on this forum. It may come as a shock to you that more than one person is dissatisfied with the society, but it's true.
As it turns out I've created a username for myself because I don't want my comments attributed to other people. After all it's against the "forum rules". Hee hee. I take credit for the above post, but not more than another three on this forum, so you'll have to think again about who I am. Incidentally I am a member of the society and I have been to a number of events this year and I have been repeatedly ignored.
And I didn't run for the position of president. I didn't run for any committee position at all, so please stop making judgements about me.
Anyway. To address your points:
How do you work out that the website and the forum are different things? I personally have always accessed the forum from the website, and indeed believed that the forum was part of the website. But that's not the point. Why have a discreet website but an obviously-gay-in-your-face forum? Is everyone going to be comfortable looking at a big pink web page in a computer cluster? No. It kinda prevents people from participating fully in the society. But then, going on experience, that doesn't really bother you.
So what's next? Members being publicly outed in the Terrace on a Wednesday afternoon? A list of members, complete with photographs, being published in the Leeds Student?
It's nice to hear that your little clique had a "good laugh" at the ratings system. But it wouldn't surprise me if more than one had had a good cry over them. Surely the fact that one member is offended by them should be enough to make you rethink them. But no.
I may or may not speak for others, but I personally would not look forward to being branded a "Gay Lord" or a "Guru of the Gay" by being a member of the forum. The term "Gay Lord" is a common playground insult and may, for some members, bring up distressing memories of a tortured childhood. And now what's happening? The very society that's there to support and representat them is using the same term and LAUGHING at it. I would have thought that the LGB committee would be shocked at people trivialising gay-bashing, not whole-heartedly ENCOURAGING it!
Why does Forum Admin remove "completely useless" posts? Who decides what is "completely useless"? What does "completely useless" even mean?
It is a lie that criticism of the society is "kept up and discussed". I have seen a number of posts which, although completely unoffensive, illustrate some of the failings of the committee and the society as a whole. These have since been deleted. Why? Is it "completely useless" for people to see that the committee is doing a bad job? So many threads are closed when the moderator(s) think that there's been enough discussion on a particular aspect of the committee's failings. What if more members want to express their disappointment? Or is that "completely useless" too? Will THIS thread be closed in case anyone wishes to agree with me?
And I must say, the last line of your post, JohnK, was more than just a little bitchy. Will that be deleted?
Yeah the forum is accessed from the website, but isn't part of the website. The website at the mo, isn't very discreet either. Just because something is a nice purple colour, it don't mean its obviously 'gay'. As I have said, its a matter up for debate. It can be changed.
Anonymity:
Regarding anonymity of soc. members: this is a priority for us and we have done everything in our power to stop the union getting our members details, which they requested, but were not given. Don't use silly hyperbole to make a point because, as you know, the anonymity of our members is essential and part of our constitution.
Post Deletion:
As I said, only 10 posts in the past month have been removed. Completely useless posts = *bump*
Forum Ratings
Gay Lord = Reclaimation However, this is an issue up for debate - thats why I started this thread and I am more than happy to discuss the issue in an adult manner. Whilst the society is about support, welfare and politics, its also about fun.
And it wasn't just our 'clique' (whatever that is) that was having a laugh - it was in the Old Bar tonight and everyone seemed to appreciate it.
Society events:
I have been at every society event (apart from women only events) this term. I've worked hard to makesure everyone felt included. Maybe you could, if you don't mind, specify which events you came to and how you were ignored. Maybe we could meet up and discuss this further.
I'm guessing you were at the AGM by what you have said above. I knew everyone at the AGM that evening and have seen most people since. There are only a few people who you could be.
Thanks for signing up to the forum too. It will make any dialogue between me and you and other members much easier to follow and will stop presumptions that it is also you that is posting some of the more offensive comments.
Last comment will be removed. Sorry for any offence caused.
John K x
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
You have just made me laugh though Somebody. The email you signed up with is funny - oh and we are an LGBT not an LGB - and don't you think that 'hate' is a pretty strong word?
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
There you go making sweeping assumptions again. Why on earth would you think I was at the AGM? Because I know what happened? It wasn't a secret meeting was it? The details of what happened aren't confidential are they? I didn't have to be there to know what was discussed.
And don't patronise me with your "Thanks for signing up" crap. I didn't create a username to make anything easier for you; I have a name so I can bad-mouth you with legitimacy and consistency and to make you aware that there is more than one person who's furious with what you've done with our society.
And thank you for confirming your commitment (or should that be non-commitment) to confidentiality - looking up my email address to try to find out who I am. Another example illustrating why anonymous posting should be allowed and why this committe is nothing but corrupt.
I remember one of the main concerns at the society's A.G.M. last year was that the website should be discreet
You said this in your first post on this thread.
The details of all meetings are available online - nothing secret happened.
However, I looked at the minutes of the AGM and that wasn't actually minuted. I do remember it being informally debated though. So, you had to be there.
Now, I think you'll find that the society is run by a committee. This year we have had the highest membership of the LGBT ever - and not only that but we have a consistently high attendance at our events - and its not always the same people either.
If there are more people than you who are unhappy about the society and how it is being ran, then I personally and I am sure every other committee memeber, will be happy to discuss that. We are not here for ourselves - we are her for all of you - it your society and you have the power to change it.
Please don't say 'what you've done with our society' because, you know what, I have worked my ass off this past 7 weeks to make things run as smoothly as possible. This society, as I have just said, is run by a committee, not me.
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
I wasn't looking up your email, i was looking up your IP address and comparing it to some of the deleted posts. Which was interesting.
Your email was there next to your IP. As a moderator I have the privilege to see everyones email address - but also the responsibility to maintain the confidentiallity of all forum members pesonal information.
-- Edited by JohnK at 05:25, 2004-11-13
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
No I DIDN'T have to be there. You're so quick to make assumptions, even after warnings not to! Was I told what happened by somebody who was there? Possibly. Was I actually there? Possibly. How the hell would you know either way?
When I say "what you've done with our society", I refer to the committee as a whole. Not exclusively you as an individual. I can't remember a time when this society was even nearly as exclusive, bitchy, cliquey. Perhaps you do get a high turnout, but it also seems like people who disagree with the committee are systematically ostracised.
Have you ever had as many members? Have you ever had as many complaints?
I can. In my first year, 2002-2003 the society was extrememly cliquy. I didn't like it at all. I was determined that this year that would change. I think, that whilst the society is viewed as cliquy by many (sadly this is not symptomatic of just the LGBT but all societies), those that have joined and participated have realised that we are not a clique.
This year we have had very few complaints. Infact, I think it is only you, and a few others who have posted randomly and anonymosly, who have had major problems with the society.
But of course there maybe many people with issues about the society. But only yours have come to our attention But it coming to our attention is good really because it means we can go some way to resolving those issues that you have.
As I have said above, I and other committee members are happy to discuss in person, via the telephone or via email any concerns you have.
This year we have had much praise from a lot of our members and hopefully some of the threads on this forum bear witness to that.
John K
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
When you log in on a campus cluster or via the uni's network your IP address is different everytime. Thats why I am against anon postings because it is hard to track the trouble causers.
If you log on from home however, your IP doesn't change much. (sometimes on dial up though, this isn't true)
However, it is impossible that the same IP address appears from two different locations. Thats why having the IP addresses available makes it easier for us to track some trouble causing posters.
John K
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
John, you're already making more assumptions. By asking the question I was suggesting one thing you could possibly do.
Anyway, that's more than missing the point. This year you've (pl.) received more complaints than ever before and you've (pl.) dismissed every single one of them because of either who they came from or because they disagreed with the way you (pl.) are running the society. Or both. That's why the society is cliquey - you'll (pl.) only listen to people who agree with you (pl.).
And I know how you've responded to them because I've READ your replies or seen that the topics have been closed. And I've talked to the people who've made them and been told that they've felt completely dismissed.
well theres your evidence. I mean obviously, from all those people you have spoken to you can conclude that
1. We have had the highest number of complaints ever?? 2. We have dismissed every complaint made to us.
Thats really absurd.
If someone has a complaint to make they should make it to the committee via coffee hour or email. (This has been clearly stated on virtually all the threads where there is a complaint - and most of the complaints on this forum are from people who think the society i bitchy because of what they have read on the forum, not actually experienced - because we have in jokes and frendly banter here) If that doesn't work then you can speak to Seb, the exec's Societies Officer - email him at sa@union.leeds.ac.uk. He'll be more than happy to help you. But hopefully you shouldn't need to take it that far.
What I suggest you do, Somebody, is email us at luu.lgbt@leeds.ac.uk with your full complaint (or complaints). Get all the people you have spoken to to do the same.
You will get a response off of a committee member asap. More than likely you will be invited to meet up in person to talk about the issues that concern you. This doesn't have to be done 1 2 1 either - it can be done with Seb there for example. We will do our best to resolve any issues - or at the very least provide you with a full explanation of why we have chosen particualr course of action or come to a particular opinion.
This post is witness to what I promise we will do. If you aren't satisfied you can take your issues to the societies exec and they will deal with it for you.
I really think this needs sorting.
John K
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere "Well I'm going to bed now, but I shall be back soon.
xx"
Ok Somebody. Please do email us though. Whilst I am happy to discuss things with you here still, I think it would be best for you , and for others, to make complaints more formal. it means we can deal with the complaints more efficiently and more quickly come to a mutually benificial solution.
Goodnight/Morning
John K
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
the date for our next committee meeting is tuesday 23rd november at 7:30pm. location TBA, but usually a meeting room in the ARC.
i would like you to come along and we can discuss specific grievances in an adult fashion.
if you are not prepared to do this, then i suggest you stop posting on the forum because nothing constructive is coming from this. we are perfectly happy to talk to you face to face and make changes where feasible, and if you still then feel that we are actively destroying this society for everyone, then you are free to leave and we will refund your ｣3. you can always stand for the committee yourself in a few months time.
i personally have worked very hard to help a handful of our members through some hard times recently, and i know it was appreciated. we are doing more good work than ever before and i resent being told that i am ineffective. it's impossible to get everything right 100% of the time, and if you were in our position as committee members, how would you feel if you got shot down for getting 9 things right then 1 thing wrong every once in a while?
this society means a lot to me and i assure you i am doing my very best. after all, i am accountable to all 170 members and for this reason it is only right that i ask you to attend our next meeting.
i wish you no ill feelings, SS, and i really do hope you will come to the next committee meeting. that is the only way forward as far as i can see. finally, it would be nice to see you become an active member of the society since you obviously have a lot of ideas, and i would hate there to be any animosity between us and you, or any other member for that matter.
sorry if any of this seems confused. i'm battling with the mother of all hangovers.
best wishes
dave (treasurer)
-- Edited by ChipsAndLube at 13:21, 2004-11-13
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burn down our home, RAPE OUR DEAD MOUTHS. Just as long as I don't have to hear anymore of your disgusting babble
I think the new site design is gr8... as for the ratings, i find em amusing, keep it coming :o)
Dunno who Somebody somewhere is n as 4 the turnin up2 events n been ignored... that rarely happens when I'm around cos am always chattin 2 every1 when am drunk n stuff, no1 can escape hahahaha.
Anyway erm i think thats all i wanted 2 say on the matter, u'll have 2 excuse me i'm half asleep writin this cos i was on a nite shift last nite & my flatmates woke me up twice since i got in n went 2 bed. But yeah am likin the site, only thing i aint sure on is the purpley/pink colour.
I'll stop rabblin now xxxx
__________________
Nic - Union Council LGBT Assembly Chair
Contact me at - lgbt.assembly@leeds.ac.uk / nicturner_85@hotmail.com
argh, what has happened to the pink/purpleness?? grey is quite depressing dont you think?? obvs, been views against the *bright* colours, so i wont comment, oops too late. like the little post name thingies, why stars and why flames?? love the one foot out of narnia, isnt it one foot *into* narnia?? oh well im a poster at the moment hmmm. cant wait to see the new website design. keep up the good work (p.s. john + commitee, i think your (you're) doing a fantastic job [n.b. cant comment on comparing it with last yr, so going entirely on the basis of what has been done so far and didnt kno what to xpect when first joined, been very pleased so far, thank you {read about a 'coming out' event/support type thingy, love the idea as i think i will be around xmas...chestnuts roasting, log fire, xmas tree, tinsel oh...and phils gay...festive, lol (does this post make any sense? and that is a lot of different brackets)}])
love all, xx
p.s. what was the lgbt like last year? p.p.s what is a clique?? p.p.p.s (is it s's or p's for additional p.s's?) p.p.p.p.s i would like to see the forum a little brighter (n.b. not a critisism, its fine in grey) and they needn't be *gay* colours (sorry, i kno its stereotypical) maybe blue or yellow, just somet more colourful, but i do agree, the pink/purpleness is more eyecatchin in a comp (not camp, lol) cluster and i agree that it maybe difficult for people to view the forum without feeling uncomfortable (first time i viewed it, i was very self-conscious about it, furitive glances and the like). p.p.p.p.p.s loving the forum, its a great place to keep in touch with things etc and chat. loving the grey depsite the above ^^ was just a surprise was all, what colour was it b4 the pinkpurpleishness?
That message has to win 'Maddest Post Award' this year! hehe!
There will be a coming out evening hopefully in the very near future, either to the end of this term or next semester. But, I think realistically, next semester. It just seems a more appropriate time to do it.
ps. 1 - I wasn't involved in the LGB last year because I had a weird possessive boyfriend. In first year it was a bit cack and I didn't go too much. I do no that last year a huuuuggee effort was made to make the society more friendly and open to new members and I think we are building upon those achievements this year with a huuuuge membership and loads of regular members. Who are alll lovely.
ps. 2 - Clique is like a group of gossipy bitchy friends who don't like anyone who isn't them. Exclusivity rather than inclusivity is their middle name. I don't think we are a clique, however to new members it might look like we are because we are really just one ig group of mates with in jokes and a group who have fun. but you lot know we're not a bitchy clique really. We are all lovely. hehe
ps. 3 - I think its more p's. latin post = after so after after script makes more sense than post script script. But who knows. Dave will probably come correct me.
ps. 4 - I think we are gonna try a whole range of colours for here and see which people like best. I personally liked the purple one, but Somebody was right that it might have been a bit too eyecatching. The new website is grey white black and pink (with a shadow 'text only' site) so it would be great if the forum could match up with that. But we'll see. I'll have another play tomorrow and see what we can do.
ps. 5 - it was blue colours. I like the grey but I think I might make it grey and purple. hmmm. I dunno. And I do love the forum too. Its been a great way for us to both make friends, have a laugh, talk about serious stuff, offer advice and support and, of course, arrange some great nights out!
hehe lots of Love
John k x
ps. Phil, your a reet fruit loop love, hehe.
__________________
Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
Technically, the new website is a subtle, modern monochrome with a splash of pink! It also has untold hidden meanings and rude pictures you'll never find!
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Comes across all shy and coy, just another nancy boy.
Lovely to see that, once again, complaints have been completely dismissed by committee members, and the manner of my complaints branded childish. But what else would I expect?
Why is it that the committee loves telling people that they can remain anonymous and encourages people to use the forum to be part of the society if they're not comfortable sacrificing their anonymity by coming to events in person, but as soon as someone complains, anonymously, they're told to shut up unless they're prepared to come to a committee meeting and declare who they are in perhaps the most intimidating way possible. That'd be a great way to keep things quiet and make sure that no society members heard about my complaints.
Or f*ck off and claim a refund.
Some support society.
I personally feel that there are constructive things coming from my posts. Apart from me being able to air my grievances (in what I feel IS an adult fashion) and expose what the committee REALLY treats its members, I've facilitated the raising of concerns by other society members, especially about the colours of the forum. But I dare say you'll dismiss this too.
You say you've done "more work than ever before", but what have you actually done? Why, if you've been doing more work than ever before, have there been no support workshops this year? No sexual health information? No political campaigning? Why have emails contained information about social events and nothing else? Is campaining and representation an afterthought? Why does your proudest achievement appear to be going to the pub on a Friday night.
Do you mean you've done a lot more TALKING than ever before? Talking about politics and the suchlike, but then realising that a night out is more important?
It's really interesting, JohnK, that you've spent two years thinking the LGB was really cliquey and exclusive, but the second you're part of the in-group, part of the clique you start claiming that you're a lovely, all-welcoming bunch of people. Are committee members issued with a blindfold and a pair of earplugs upon being voted in? It certainly seems it, because when people complain about being ignored, feeling excluded and not being listened to, all you do is spout your "we're lovely!" crap. At the AGM last year, someone suggested ways of making the society more inclusive, appealing to more people and stopping people thinking you're a "cliquey group of f*ck-buddies". The only people who objected were people who had been in the society for years - people in the clique. WHY?
And dave (treasurer), as you in particular resent being told you are ineffective, please provide a watertight explanation for why the society's grant from the union in the first semester went down by 95% as soon as you became treasurer. (Ooh, ooh! How did I know that? Or did you try to hush that one up too?)
I know I've effectively been told to put or shut up, but I'm not going to do either. Isn't that the essence of campaigning? (That, by the way, was a rhetorical question - you don't seem to do much campaigning; I imagine it's because you don't know how.)
Somebody_Somewhere, perhaps it'd be more constructive to offer some suggestions as to how to improve the society and fix the things you feel are going wrong. What colours would you like the forum? What should the society be campaigning for? How do you make the society seem more open and welcoming? Most people could find problems if they looked hard enough, resolving the problems is the tricky part.
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Comes across all shy and coy, just another nancy boy.
somebody somewhere, i'd like to tell you that while you might find the lgbt cliquey, not everyone does. and that doesn't just mean i'm a member of the clique - this year is the first time i've ever come along, and i was made to feel welcome immediately. i'm not the only newbie who's kept on coming back, so it can't be too bad!
__________________
alright stop, collaborate and listen,
ice is back with a brand new invention
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere "Hello again.
Lovely to see that, once again, complaints have been completely dismissed by committee members, and the manner of my complaints branded childish. But what else would I expect?
"
How have your complaints been dismissed? I have said Iam happy to talk to you here. I have also siad that any complains you might have might be better dealt with in person or via email. I have told you exactly how to lodge a complaint. Surely that is helping you, not dismissing you? And no one has called you childish.
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere " Why is it that the committee loves telling people that they can remain anonymous and encourages people to use the forum to be part of the society if they're not comfortable sacrificing their anonymity by coming to events in person, but as soon as someone complains, anonymously, they're told to shut up unless they're prepared to come to a committee meeting and declare who they are in perhaps the most intimidating way possible. That'd be a great way to keep things quiet and make sure that no society members heard about my complaints.
Or f*ck off and claim a refund.
"
You have been told that you can email us too, call us on the phone or come to a committee meeting. We're not wanting to sacrifce your anonymity, and two of the ways above do not sacrifice it.
We do take complaints serious, however we are not a regulated body and aren't obliged to make any complaint public.
As I have said we have given you four options by which to complain. This forum is the fifth - but I think the least effective way of us finding a resolution.
Dave didn't tell you to **** off. He told you that if you were that unhappy with the society that you were allowed to leave and that a refund would be provided. Please don't put words into his mouth.
Dave even told you that you could run fun the committee. I join him on saying that. Anyone who is a member may join and vote for the committee.
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere " Some support society.
I personally feel that there are constructive things coming from my posts. Apart from me being able to air my grievances (in what I feel IS an adult fashion) and expose what the committee REALLY treats its members, I've facilitated the raising of concerns by other society members, especially about the colours of the forum. But I dare say you'll dismiss this too.
"
I do too. You are mentioning some good points - especially the concerns about the colours. I am going to try out a few differnt schemes to see how things go. We will take all your comments seriously. What do you think about the greys. I quite like it actually.
As i have said in previous posts, and this one, you ar more than welcome to also raise any concerns you have via email, phone or in person both at a one 2 one informal or a formal committee meeting.
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere " You say you've done "more work than ever before", but what have you actually done? Why, if you've been doing more work than ever before, have there been no support workshops this year? No sexual health information? No political campaigning? Why have emails contained information about social events and nothing else? Is campaining and representation an afterthought? Why does your proudest achievement appear to be going to the pub on a Friday night.
"
Hmm. I agree with some of your points. We HAVEN'T done enough political stuff this year. And I am sorry about that. We wil be going to conference at the end of November and hopefully will be implementing the policies that the NUS LGB Campaign decide on in our own union. WE WILL however be orgainising some big plitical stuff soon - we're waiting this week to hear the decision made by the House of Lords on Civil Partnerships, at the moment we are trying to find out when the blood donor van will be coming so we can start petitioning 'Give Blood Because We Can't' and also looking carefully at what we can do about hate music.
Sexual Health information is available on our website and we are currently trying to find peple to facilitate our 'Not the Only Gay in the Village' evening which will take place later this semester (prob week 10). We also have a great Diversity Awareness week planned for Semester 2 where our emphasis will be on Trans Awarness and issues.
About support. No we haven't all got together in the conference audiotorium and said 'H my names JohnK and I'm Gay!'. That will all be coming up in the 'Not the Only Gay in the Village' evening we have planned. However DON'T DARE say we are not providing support for our members. Each week the committee provide one to one sessions - when requested - for ANYONE in the union, member or not. You don't need to know any of this though, because this is between individual committee members and the people they are supporting. Unless you'd like em to plaster there names on this forum so I can prove to you the good we are doing.
Our social events play a KEY role in providing support. We run 6 regular informal events each week - coffee hour has an emphasis on support and debating (we have ben trying out some of workshop ideas on people, hehe) and weekly wind down hasn an emphasis on fun. The vey fact that we provide these socials means WE are able to facilitate PEER support. Which, I think, is the best method of support. Not because we are lazy on the committee but because our society is more than just our committee. Its is all 170 members.
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere " It's really interesting, JohnK, that you've spent two years thinking the LGB was really cliquey and exclusive, but the second you're part of the in-group, part of the clique you start claiming that you're a lovely, all-welcoming bunch of people. Are committee members issued with a blindfold and a pair of earplugs upon being voted in?
"
As I have said above in my FIRST year the LGB was a cliquey group of mainly girls who excluded me and made me feel entirely unwelcome. Last year, I had some personal problems, but I saw the committee and the society in general grow. I felt welcom at all the events i attended last year and i wanted to be part of that because, I said at the AGM, i have been working with young LGB people for almost 4 years now, and after getting over some personal issues I have felt that I have made a difference.
Our strong memebrship and even stronger regular attendees bear witness to the fact aht we are doing a good job and we are making a difference and that we are providing this union with a good service.
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere " It certainly seems it, because when people complain about being ignored, feeling excluded and not being listened to, all you do is spout your "we're lovely!" crap. At the AGM last year, someone suggested ways of making the society more inclusive, appealing to more people and stopping people thinking you're a "cliquey group of f*ck-buddies". The only people who objected were people who had been in the society for years - people in the clique. WHY?
"
I know exactly the person you are talking about. His ideas were, in general, positive. However, he was immidiately passing judgement on the society and its members by branding them a 'cliquey group of fook buddies'. Whether he liked it or not, he can't call the people he was about to expect to vote him in 'fook buddies'. I that it was that which lost him his run for Presidency, not his ideas which, as I have said, I agreed with on the whole.
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere " And dave (treasurer), as you in particular resent being told you are ineffective, please provide a watertight explanation for why the society's grant from the union in the first semester went down by 95% as soon as you became treasurer. (Ooh, ooh! How did I know that? Or did you try to hush that one up too?) "
Right. The amount of money this society has IS NO DIFFERENT FROM LAST YEAR. The societies exec was much more thorough in its funding this year and too into account everything we asked for, our bank statements and our membershp fees.
We are in no worse a position than last year.
This issue was debated thoroughly at coffee hours and the committee made a decsion that the amount of MONEY (not funding) we have available to us is more than enough. The issue was not hushed up AT ALL. And your bitchy questioning of Daves capabilities, implying that it was his fault that we were given a small amount of FUNDING is not acceptable. Please edit your post appropriately because I don't want to have to censor anyhting you say in case I get compared to the nazi's.
quote: Originally posted by: Somebody Somewhere "
I know I've effectively been told to put or shut up, but I'm not going to do either. Isn't that the essence of campaigning? (That, by the way, was a rhetorical question - you don't seem to do much campaigning; I imagine it's because you don't know how.)
"
Are you just not reading our posts properly? WE have told you that you can complain and it will be dealt with in a formal and proffessional manner. you are also welcom to post here still with any issues you have. But please don't tell us that we are ignoring you or telling you to shut up. Because it is blatantly NOT true.
Please also remove the last snidey comment. I si BITCHING and is NO WAY constructive.
Thanks.
John K
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Johnk
The only freedom that you値l ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
I've been viewing the forum for a couple of weeks now, and I've been quietly contemplating whether or not to get involved on this one. But I've decided I am. Basically, there are just a few comments I'd like to make:
1. As I have said in the past, the society should be predominantly about enjoyment and support. Political involvement would be great, but it aint easy, particularly as sadly, very few gay people have both the desire and the commitment to get on the front line as it were. In terms of support and enjoyment, I don't see what the committees doing wrong.
2. JohnK - Probably one of the only things that I do know about John is his tendancy to attend the vast majority of coffee hours, and every LGBT related event. So I'm not sure whether or not a realistic criticism can be levied that he is somehow damaging the society, (unless it's a sort of highly discreet internal sabotage ploy). If you wanted someone to attack in the LGBT, SS, he's probably not the best person you could have chosen.
3. SS, what exactly does Dave have to do with the amount of money allocated to the LGBT this year? Maybe I'm being stupid, but I thought it was a decision made by the Union Exec, not down to the pleas made by individual society treasurers.
4. SS, you made a comment regarding the wording 'gay-lord', as an offensive word to describe gay people. Presumably, by what you have said, you have been the victim of some homophobic abuse yourself, and I'm sorry if that has brought back painful memories for you, or anyone else. However, every gay person uses different words to describe themselves, I personally use shirtlifter and queer to descibe myself and gay people, but I hate the word fag/faggot. Now I would never construe it as offensive for other people to describe themselves as this. Ultimately, you have to give and take.
5. In terms of anonymity, I would personally like to see the forum as members only, so I can keep track of anyone wishing to post the sort of remarks that were posted recently about me in particular. Where offensive messages are written, I would like to think that the committee were doing everything it could to find out their identity and ban them from the forum. If anything, it's that that will put people off the LGBT, not harsh language, in-jokes or pink icons on screen.
Sorry for the rant, but I'm getting a bit ticked off now with just constant attacks on the committee and the way they run the LGBT, abusive anonymous posts and stupid, un-called for posts.
This aint what the forums here for. The committee for me, are doing a good job. Thank you, and I love you all. Steven. xxx
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CRAP? WHAT D'YA MEAN IT'S CRAP? THERES EIGHT BODIES AT THE END AND HE GETS TO SHAG HIS MUM!!
I'm with Steven on this n just wanna say the committee r doin a gr8 job, I've been here 8 weeks n already feel like a part of things & get along wi every1 in the society, cant say a bad word about the society or committee. Cheers guys :o)
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Nic - Union Council LGBT Assembly Chair
Contact me at - lgbt.assembly@leeds.ac.uk / nicturner_85@hotmail.com
And dave (treasurer), as you in particular resent being told you are ineffective, please provide a watertight explanation for why the society's grant from the union in the first semester went down by 95% as soon as you became treasurer. (Ooh, ooh! How did I know that? Or did you try to hush that one up too?)
if you were so concerned about our finances, why didn't you run for treasurer yourself?
the allocation system is much more comprehensive this year, and if being a good treasurer means mis-representing our society's finances in order to screw money out of the union, money which we wouldn't manage to spend this semester even if we tried, then yes, i am ineffective.
but if, as it seems to me, that being honest about the surplus from last year and our projected member fee income was actually the way to go about my post, then i think you're talking sh1t for the sake of kicking up a fuss.
give me your email address and i'll send you a copy of all the completed forms and bureaucracy i had to fill in in september. plus an up-to-date copy of our current financial records dating back 2 years, detailing all spending and incomings.
and i echo john in saying that please don't put words in my mouth. i am not quite as childish as to tell someone to fvck off without grounds, and if i did say that to anyone, i certainly wouldn't say it on this forum. and i refuse to respond to you here any longer. email me at the society's usual address and i will give you any information you ask for.
and finally, get overself mate. i've got better things to do with my time than get into childish slanging matches with someone who plainly has no interest in our society whatsoever. you're spoiling other people's enjoyment of this forum.
dave.
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burn down our home, RAPE OUR DEAD MOUTHS. Just as long as I don't have to hear anymore of your disgusting babble
1.Lovely to see that, once again, complaints have been completely dismissed by committee members, and the manner of my complaints branded childish As you've had explained by now, SS, and you can undoubtedly see for yourself, people are doing anything but dismiss your complaints, and have treated them with what appears to be infinite patience (JohnK must be sprouting angel wings by now). I for one know that if I had the admin powers JohnK has, a great many more of your posts would have been deleted and you would have been blocked long ago, with an e-mailed explanation as to why.
2.I personally feel that there are constructive things coming from my posts. Apart from me being able to air my grievances (in what I feel IS an adult fashion) and expose what the committee REALLY treats its members You're being unfair and blinkered there. OK, you're getting something off your own chest (which may be constructive for yourself, but towards others? Not so much), but exposing to whom exactly? Surely the rest of the members of the LGBT already know how they themselves are being treated...? Most members are at University, so they're generally not stupid. And why on earth would anyone else be reading the boards?
The only conclusion I can draw is the same as Dave's - you clearly have no actual interest in joining in with the society, or trying to co-operate on the alleged problems you see there. Every unfounded and nasty comment you make has been met with nothing but patient explanation and even invites to join in. It's obviously a case of you imagining hostility that was never there in the first place.
PS. about the ratings - Where's 'Guru of the Gay'? I SO want that one! ...And I don't think Dave can legitimately be 'Lord Gay Van Gay', no matter where he comes from. He should be 'Lord Bi van Bi of Gayville' shouldn't he?
lord bi van bi? hell, the forum's not that clever yet. it can't tell your sexuality from your finger-strokes ("argh! i have bisexual fingers!" - nearly as bizarre as a teacher in my school who said, "gosh, you beat my lemon today").
so let's steer this thread back on topic:
i think grey is a bit dismal too. i quite like the idea of a nice subtle purple. that way the preview posts will look really good incorporated into our new website design. and it's a great design, believe me.
hope everyone's had a good day. mine was fine apart from year nine. hey, that should be written on my tombstone
dave x
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burn down our home, RAPE OUR DEAD MOUTHS. Just as long as I don't have to hear anymore of your disgusting babble
