Paris, October 2009, Day 1

The Eurostar brought us smoothly into the Gare du Nord from where we caught the Metro to Faidherbe Chaligny for the Color Design Hotel. Our room had been Tangoed.

The road from the hotel into central Paris leads up to the Bastille. The first photo shows the Bastille monument from the Opera Bastille (not to be confused with the more attractive Paris Opera House), where we were sat on the steps.

From the Bastille we walked to the Notre Dame Cathedral: Catholic Disneyland, complete with machines selling souvenirs (because if there's one thing the Catholic Church needs, it more money).

The final picture was not taken in the cathedral, but on the walk back to the hotel, in the Marais district.

 

 

 

 

 

Hannah just wants to know where Cambridge is.

Redroaster

Lee loves eating chocolate brownie with his latte at the Redroaster
coffee shop on St James Street in Brighton.

Almeria

 

It's not a shopping centre, it's Heathrow Terminal 3

 

Northern Spain from the air

 

Barajas airport, in Madrid, was much nicer.

 

The hotel room was delicious...

 

... and so was the food.

My Husband: The Tap Dancer

That's right, Lee's taken up tap dancing. It's becoming quite
serious, with talk of grades and a Christmas Spectacular.

Pride, Power and Independence

On the morning of Saturday 4 July, this image was projected onto my wall by the sun as it shone through the window. I'm not superstitious, and won't be calling the tabloids, but this symbol is the labrys. The labrys, or double-headed axe, is a symbol used by lesbians to represent power and independence. 4 July was, not only American independence day, but London Pride day, which is why I took the picture.

Pride is my favourite day of the year. We are able to celebrate our power and independence, while protesting against those that set out to stem it. The meaning of pride varies with different people, and it is this variety - diversity - that I celebrate at Pride.

My time at Kingston University has come to an end. I have the difficult task of handing over and letting go of the LGBT campaign at the students' union, but I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about what that time has meant to me, and the pride that I feel when I talk about Kingston LGBT.

Almost three years ago I joined Kingston LGBT with the intention of crushing some personal deamons and socialising in a space where I could feel comfortable. I signed up to become secretary of the society, and I was voted in. During this time I realised what I wanted to change and made an effort to become more involved. I wanted to make sure Kingston University had a safe place for LGBT people to meet without any discrimination, of any kind. This could only be achieved through diversity. We needed more women, more black and asian students, more disabled students and students from a wider range of ages. I feel we've achieved two of those goals. The membership is now over half women and over one third are from non-white ethnicities or backgrounds. The society feels more diverse and welcoming than it ever has. I feel I've achieved what I set out to do, but I must thank a few people for this.

Mark Callaby - for having a society in place when I arrived at Kingston and supporting me throughout my time here (we'll forget about the GNT spat at the AGM).

James Collier - for the orginal website and remaining sane. For allowing me to walk all over your job without permission until I was elected LGBT exec. and for making me shake with laughter while Richie attempted to hold a meeting together.

Richie Kuncusz - all is forgiven, indirectly you kicked us into action. I think you made us realise our potential.

Ben Rumer - Sorry we never got to go to Brighton, but I didn't fancy risk assessing 'sleeping on the beach'. Thanks for your constant enthusiasm and I'm sorry for letting 'playing by the book' meaning you had to step down when Corey did.

Corey Hogan - Wonder woman. The deal was that you did the talking and I did the background work. Children weren't worked into that plan. You were always the better president. Thanks for shoving me into the limelight - I wouldn't have done it myself.

Hannah Smith - For experiencing the same disappointments about the NUS and KUSU.

James Lea - For having a good time and not involving yourself in the committee arguments.

Paul Watson - For the website. We'd be truly fucked without you.

Matt Good - Sometimes we didn't take you seriously. Sometimes I wish we did.

Christine Daniel - You're always there. You understand people. Good luck.

Karisa Lundberg - For teaching me about everything about America that I've been too stupid to pick up from pop-culture.

Lil Mustafa-Holzapfel - You really are an excellent advocate for LGBT rights (no matter what anyone says in a survey)

Martin Smith - The similtaneous anger and love I felt with you is matched by no one. I wish you the best of luck, whatever you do.

Ed Hardwick - You didn't need a parent - I needed someone to look after. Sorry for the countless times I've patronised you and been a drunken lech

Seb Garcia - I would have listened to anything you had to say when we lived at Alston Close, but you always remained out of my arguments. Thank you.

Jo Fraser - My best friend. For taking everything I've thrown at you. For your unfaltering kindness and determination to achieve what is right. For allowing me to get so drunk I can barely see. For looking after me.

Lee - For the bits that no one else gets to see. For when I can't keep up the iron-front. I love you.

To everyone else (and I know I've missed people) I wish you all pride, power and independence. You need nothing more.

Urban Spoon

I recently decided to put my wingy, complaining nature to some use and start reviewing restaurants online. I hope people can benefit from this by avoiding the nasties and enjoying the same good food that, as my waistline will testify, I have too. It started with an iPhone app from Urbanspoon that finds the closest restaurant of my choosing at any given time (so long as I'm in London). The app is really quite well thought out and allows you to add photos of your food and menus for everyone else to see. It's also possible to review restaurants, which started harmlessly enough. I've since become quite addicted and tried to think of every place I have ever eaten in London outside of my own (or a friend's) house. I was even tempted to review a friend's cooking, but thought better of it as I may never be invited to return. Thus far I have managed to find things to say about every single retaurant, pub, bar and cafe in which I've ever consumed food. Today I checked the London Leaderboard of the users that have reviewed the most venues. I am third, and very proud. I will, however, not upload a photo of myself in case I'm recognised by a waiter, or worse: the chef.

My office for the day

Pigeon Progress

After forcing Lee to remove the broken-necked pigeon from our balcony we realised that there was a nest, hidden away, in a crevice beneath the balcony wall that leads to the gutter. The nest held an egg, which I presumed dead as it wasn't being kept warm. I destroyed the egg and nest as it was attracting the unwelcome attention of flies. Thinking no more of it, we were surprised, the following week, when we discovered two newly laid eggs in a loosely constructed nest, where the old one had previously sheltered. We allowed the pigeons to stay, as they expressed nothing other than a small amount of shit and a great deal of paranoia.

I became interested in the progress of the pigeons’ striving for self-preservation. Several pigeons, both male and female birds, took turns in sitting on the eggs, but at the slightest hint of a predator (the opening of a window, the watering of the pot plants) they would scatter and observe their delicate habitat from the safety of the neighbours’ soffits. After several weeks and little action I consulted my good friend, Pete (a keen amateur ornithologist), who promised that the eggs would soon hatch. We waited and, on inspection one day, I found a chick, twice the size of its shell and shivering under the maternal weight of the larger bird. The other egg never hatched.

We never expected that the new-born bird would grow at such speed, and this weekend we were able to see it fly for the first time. Below are some photos of the chick, and then of the pigeon now, treading the balcony wall, nervous to spread its wings.

The Proud Parents

The New-Born Chick Next to its Unborn Sibling

Assessing the Jump

Lee: Concerned

A Parent Looks On

FW: Happy Birthday Seb

Here's to friends and wine.

40 Under 40

The Advocate.com is running a series of online videos showcasing influencial LGBT people under 40. This is one of my favourite videos, championing young LGBT activists.

NUS Announces LGBT Award Winners

NUS LGBT Award Winners
Added on 28/04/2009

The LGBT Awards, in association with UNISON, recognise and celebrate the great work done by LGBT student activists and societies at institutions across the UK.

Work carried out by these individuals and groups helps to improve the lives of LGBT students and extends their rights.

All year, individuals and societies work tirelessly, putting on events, fundraising, running campaigns and supporting LGBT students in their unions. Some do this limited or no funding or support from their institution.

At an awards ceremony on Saturday night at NUS LGBT Conference in Nottingham, awards were given for Higher Education Society of the Year, Further Education Society of the year, Campaign of the Year, Campaigner of the Year and Event of the Year.

Campaigner of the Year

The Award for Campaigner of the Year went to Tara Hewitt, Trans rep at Liverpool Guild of Students.

Tara was recognised for bringing trans issues to the forefront of the Guild’s work this year.
She petitioned for all transgendered individuals to be fully covered by the new Single Equality Bill, organising a Transgender awareness day with trans-related film-showings, stalls and talks, and got the Guild to agree to drawing up separate trans equality and transsexual action plan documents.

Tara was presented with her award by Craig Nelson, Co-Chair of Unison LGBT Committee.

Higher Education Society of the Year

Kingston Students’ Union picked up Higher Education Society of the Year for increasing membership and tackling the low numbers of women involved in the society.

As well as holding successful weekly social events, both at clubs and in non-alcoholic environments, the group has held talks and workshops for members on sexual health.

The group took its first steps towards becoming a campaigning LGBT this year with a fundraiser for the Terrence Higgins Trust, and have worked with the students’ union and LGBT officer to develop and distribute information about homophobia to schools where Kingston PGCE students attend placements.

Winners:

* Higher Education Society of the Year – Kingston University LGBT
* Campaign of the Year – York University Students' Union LGBT
* Campaigner of the Year – Tara Hewitt at Liverpool Guild of Students
* Further Education Society of the Year – St Brendan’s Sixth Form College
* Event of the Year – University of Birmingham LGBTQ

My Wonderful Team

Kingston LGBT Committee 2008-9

Left to right: James Lea (Treasurer), Paul Watson (Publicity Officer), Matt Goold (Open Place Officer and former Treasurer), Karisa Lundberg (Women's Officer), Charlie Parker (LGBT Exec. Officer and former President, Open Place Officer and Secretary), Joanna Fraser (Secretary, former Open Place Officer and Women's Exec. Officer).

Kingston LGBT Committee 2009-10 with existing committee

Back, left to right: James Lea, Matt Goold, Karisa Lundberg (Women's Officer Elect.), Joanna Fraser, Adam Spawton-Rice (Open Place Officer Elect.), Jimi C (Secretary Elect.)

Front, left to right: Paul Watson, Siobhan Sawyer (Publicity Officer Elect.), Rebecka Richards (Treasurer Elect.), Charlie Parker.

Both Committees with the LGBT Exec. Elect.

Back, left to right: James Lea, Matt Goold, Karisa Lundberg, Jo Fraser, Adam Spawton-Rice, Jimi C.

Front, left to right: Paul Watson, Siobhan Sawyer, Rebecka Richards, Lil Mustafa-Holzapfel (LGBT Exec. Officer Elect.)

Press Release: Kingston University's LGBT Society wins national award

Kingston’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans society named the best

Kingston’s LGBT Society (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans) has won Higher Education Society of the Year awarded by the NUS. Charlie Parker is the LGBT Executive for KUSU and he describes the changes at the LGBT that has led to the win.

“Over the past three years the LGBT committee have worked tirelessly to transform LGBT from a small meeting of, predominantly, gay men into a thriving, diverse and equal society.

Proud
We’re extremely proud of the policies and practices we have utilised to encourage more women and students from BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee) communities to sign up as members. For instance we have introduced a women’s officer on the committee, headed our constitution with a strong diversity statement and introduced a ‘safe space’ policy. This ensures that wherever we meet is a place free from discrimination of any kind.

I believe that it is down to our determination to represent these often hard to reach communities that won us the award. We were also credited for our campaign to tackle homophobia in schools, by producing leaflets that were distributed among student teachers to educate them about the problem. Our website was also praised for its professional look and accessibility.

Dedication
However, I personally believe that one of the main reasons we won the award was for our dedication to our service users: the LGBT students of Kingston. It is through a series of simple successes that make us the best in the country. We believe it is essential that the members are listened to – there is no point running an event or campaign if no one is interested. And we cater for all our students – not just the lesbian and gay members, and we actively ensure our activities apply to bisexual students and, the often overlooked, trans students. This all-encompassing outlook, coupled with the best administration practice, means that Kingston LGBT are the Higher Education Society of the Year.

Charlie Parker
Kingston University Students' Union
06/05/2009

Kingston LGBT Award Publicity

Kingston University's lesbian and gay society wins National Union of Students award
6:50am Tuesday 12th May 2009
David Lindsell
Surrey Comet, Your Local Guardian, Croydon Guardian


Students from Kingston University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Trans society (LGBT) has won a prestigious national award.

The society scooped the prize for Higher Education Society of the Year at the National Union of Students awards.

Charlie Parker, from the society, said the award recognised their transformation over the past three years from a small meeting of, predominantly gay men into a thriving, diverse, and equal society.

He said: “We’re extremely proud of the policies and practices we have utilised to encourage more women and students from black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee communities to sign up as members.

“I believe our determination in representing these, often hard to reach, communities, won us the award.

"We were also credited for our campaign to tackle homophobia in schools, by producing leaflets that were distributed among student teachers to educate them about the problem.”

Kingston LGBT: Health and Counselling

Jo is not amused by the organisation of her committee.

How appropriate

Karisa and I spotted this gem while visiting Parliament. Look at the road sign above me.

Why so... bleak?

I originally hoped to develop an online presence of Stephen Fry proportions. So far, this is the only thing I've written and as far as I'm aware, no one is 'following' me. The first thing I tried write was automatically translated into Hindi due to my technological incompetance. Things are not going to plan.

I promised musings of aspirations beyond my means. As it stands, these consist of knowing how to write a blog and mastering simple Html commands. Perhaps you were expecting my infiltration of the world of politics, my rise to fame as a popular liberal statesperson and my epic crash when I'm caught sleeping with my secretary/using tax=payers' money to buy pornography/accepting cash for questions in Parliament?

I'm sorry to disappoint but the only offerings I have are the progress of the pot-plants on my balcony, my observations of people on public transport and my immersion in feelings of impending doom as I near the climax of my university life and am cast into the real world, stumbling around the LGBT third sector like a clumsy new-born giraffe. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy reading.