Welfare

Manifesto
Hi, my name is James Morton and Im currently a second year Maths student. Im hoping to become Welfare Representative for the LGBT Society because I am very passionate about helping others deal with any LGBT-related problems they may be facing. As a teenager, I struggled a lot with my sexuality, and even when I came to university, I was still too afraid to come out to family and friends. However, I managed to overcome this in time, thanks to a friend who had assured me that being gay and coming out really isnt such a terrible thing! Without this help that I received, I would probably still be struggling with these issues. Thus, I would love to be able to help others like myself accept their sexuality. If I were elected as Welfare Rep, I promise to be a friendly and welcoming face around the LGBT Society, so that nobody feels nervous about approaching me and confiding certain LGBT-related issues they might be facing. I will always find time for anybody that wants it. I feel its not always easy for LGBT students who are struggling with LGBT- related issues to find out where they can get the support they need, so if I am elected, these are some of the ideas I plan to work on: Include LGBT-related information in the Freshers Pack -At the start of Freshers Week, I received a pack with all sorts of information ranging from sexual health to a map of Bristol left on my desk. This year I plan to include a leaflet to raise awareness of the LGBT community and to include information on support for LGBT people. It will also include information for non- LGBT students to become more aware of issues that their LGBT peers might be facing. I hope to achieve this by working with Alessandra Berti, the new UBU VP for Welfare & Equality, and speaking to the Wardens of each hall. Increase Awareness of LGBT Issues on Campus -I plan to raise awareness of the LGBT community and the issues we face by setting up a stall on campus for a few days (possibly during LGBT History Month), providing information and support, and also explaining why some LGBT people are campaigning on issues such as equal marriage and the discrimination gay men face with regards to blood donation. In addition I will include information on places around the world where LGBT people are still openly discriminated against. Work with various Culture and Languages Societies -I hope to speak with international societies about certain injustices LGBT people face in their countries, and perhaps, if they are going back there they could have a more open mind on LGBT rights, and maybe even campaign for LGBT rights in their own countries.