February is LGBTQ+ History Month in the UK. To mark the occasion and to provide a safe space where any student can come along and talk to an LGBTQ+ member of staff, we are running some ‘Rainbow Office Hours’ throughout the month.
These are open to all students, whether or not you identify as LGBTQ+ yourself. They are drop-in sessions, so no need to book in advance. Simply pop along on the day or log in online for the virtual sessions and have a chat. All conversations will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Details of the exact times, locations and staff available during ‘Rainbow Office hours’ is available below:
BU staff member
Rainbow Office Hours
Alessandra Puddu – She/Her – Ally
My name is Alessandra (she/her), I'm a cisgender woman and LGTBQ+ ally. I have attended Pride with my partner & friends for the last few years and I have supported some of them through their transition process. I love cats, and I find storms recharging.
Friday 23 February, 10am – 11am, BG112, Lansdowne
Tuesday 27 February 2pm – 3pm, BG112, Lansdowne
Helen Ribchester – She/Her – LGBTQ+
My name is Helen (she/her). I live with my wife of almost 10 years, we have four grown up children between us, and three granddaughters. Being a Granny is just the best fun!
Jane Healy – She/Her – Ally
My name is Jane (she/her) and I'm proud to be an LGBTQ+ ally. I work and teach on the topic of hate crime and am also doing a project on Inclusivity at Eurovision which means I get to go to Malmo in May! I have two children and a third fur baby, our Hungarian Pumi dog, and live with my family by the sea in Weymouth.
Jayne Caudwell – She/Her – LGBTQ+
Hi! My name is Jayne, I am cisgender women. I have had relationships with women and with men, I am bisexual. As an academic, I have completed research with the LGBTQ+ community and I have been advocating for LGBTQ+ equality since the mid 1990s. I have attended numerous Pride events and love eating the cake with rainbow colours inside :)
Julia Armstrong – She/Her – LGBTQ+
My name is Julia (she/her) and I am a cis lesbian. I have often wondered if I am non-binary but think I am a woman but do not conform to the social norms of what it is to be a woman! I have a partner and a dog. I love hiking, sea swimming, running, anything out in nature and I am a Vegan climate justice activist and Eco Social Worker.
Matthew Watkins – He/Him – LGBTQ+
My name is Matt (he/him), I am a gay man, who studies and teaches law, particularly, relating to health and the changing nature of families. I grew up in a rural area of Wales, and suffered homophobia, whilst growing up. These experiences encouraged me to become an anti-bullying campaigner. I have acted as a Trustee for the Ben Cohen StandUp for the last 10 years. I have worked with a number of organisations, including Stonewall, Albert Kennedy Trust, The Diana Awards, the Anti-bullying Alliance and have sat on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bullying. Beyond my campaigning work, I am a total nerd, and enjoy anime, gaming and horror movies.
Wednesday 21 February, 11am - 5pm, W404, Talbot
Wednesday 28 February, 11am - 5pm, W404, Talbot
Reece Bush-Evans – He/Him – LGBTQ+
My name is Reece (he/him), I’m a senior lecturer in the Psychology department and a gay man. I’ve been in a committed relationship to a man for the last 9 years and have recently bought a house together. I’m a fan of Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, and cats!
Rounaq Nayak – They/They – LGBTQ+
My name is Rounaq (they/them). I am a pansexual agender academic. I have been married to a polysexual woman for the last 5 years and we have two children together. We have attended Oxford Pride as a family for over 3 years and my children have some really interesting books on LGBTQ+ families. I am an avid football fan (Chelsea - KTBFFH!!) and play competitive football.
Friday 23 February, 3pm - 4pm, Online (Link TBC)
Sarah Hillier – She/Her – LGBTQ+
My name is Sarah (she/her), I'm a cisgender gay woman. I've been married to a woman for the last 10 years and we have a young daughter together. I think Purbeck Ice Cream is the best ice cream in the whole world!
