Sophia Hanson

I spent 2022-23 on LGBTQ+ society committee, and 2023-24 on consent awareness/sexual health society committee; on both working with a specific focus of promoting asexual and aromantic visibility. I’ve spearheaded two activist campaigns against transphobia, one of which was during the recent sabbatical officer elections. I’d like to hope I've already changed UoS and SUSU for the better, and I'm running for this role to continue working for improved LGBTQ+ acceptance, this time from a position within SUSU.

So, what do I even want to do with this position?

• I want to highlight aromantic and asexual identities. This will take the form of educational events/materials around the times of aro week and ace week. These identities are so often invisible, and from experience even a little bit of visibility goes a long way

• I want to help the incoming VP welfare Lottie James’ push for more gender neutral toilets. Gendered toilets, even in an explicitly trans-positive environment, can be very stressful for transgender people. A choice between putting yourself into a potential hate incident and misgendering yourself is not one I want myself or other trans people to have to make. I also think local venues, especially venues that claim to be a ‘queer alternative’ like the hobbit, need increased pressure to add gender neutral toilets.

• I want to encourage BAME queer spaces, in whatever form BAME people wish them to be. At least through my knowledge of LGBTQ+ society and its history, BAME inclusion in UoS’ queer spaces has been poor for at least the last 4 years. This isn't an issue I can lead on - it's one where policy would need to be led almost entirely by our BAME officer and students - But it's one I really want to push for regardless.

These are the three major issues I personally would want to focus on, alongside proposals from the student body. i'd act as a queer advocate within SUSU, working to get student ideas and policies implemented. i'd hope my links with LGBTQ+ society would help a lot with that, as i would have an easy and informal access to a large number of queer people from which to take suggestions.

on the topic of LGBTQ+ society, i am aware it's been quite hidden and somewhat distant from SUSU for the last few years. its enough of a problem that this year a VP welfare candidate called for its reinstatement in their manifesto. this is something that concerns me as well, and i'd want to work with the LGBTQ+ society committee to ensure their society is visible and known about; that they have a presence on campus.

thank you for looking at my candidate page :) please vote for me