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.”