Strengthening integration, increasing visibility and celebrating diversity!
I am Sonia Quintero and running to be LGBT officer.
As a current Social Science student and member of the LGBT community I want to actively contribute to raise awareness about LGBT issues in our University. I have a long standing dedication to community alliance building, anti-opression work and social justice. I continually update my knowledge of effective strategies in grassroots mobilisation and social change. My experience facilitating spaces, managing groups, developing projects -which includes bring people together across ethnic, gender, nationality and sexual orientation- and enabling self-empowerment makes me an asset the LGBT officer position.
My leadership in the community has taken me to founder Stratford Poetry Group and co-founder Queer Newham Group. I have been recognised as "Residence Recognition Award" in 2016 by the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales and I have been twice awarded as a Community Builder, in 2017 and 2018.
I pledge to:
As an LGBT officer I commit to focus on the educational aspect of bringing awareness and visibility of the LGBT community into the academia.
I have a programme to be implemented in our Dockland campus which is part of a long term vision for a more inclusive university.
Programme:
- A bi-monthly inclusive event to bring visibility and awareness about LGBT community. The event consist in a panel with special guests. This activity will be combined with special activities to show the contribution of LGBT people to the community.
- Weekly LGBT Conversation Café: This weekly activity is exclusive for people who identify themselves as a LGBT. It is a supportive and empowering group.
Long term aim:
- Partnerships with other institutions to work in the prevention of homophobia in all Schools around University of East London (Eg. Newham College, Community Neighbourhoods)
- Actively Celebrate LGBT month at UEL