February isn’t just about dodgy Valentine’s chocolates - it’s also LGBT+ History Month.
This is more than rainbow capitalism and social media posts. It’s a chance to learn about the activists who fought for rights we often take for granted like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and the countless others who challenged discrimination. It’s about acknowledging the AIDS crisis, the repeal of Section 28, and the ongoing battles against transphobia and inequality.
Your SU has always supported the LGBT+ community and remains committed to doing so.
No Platforming Homophobes: The Student Protests of the 1980s
Through the National Union of Students (NUS), students used 'no platforming' (banning speakers who promoted discrimination) to take a stand. This wasn’t about stifling debate; it was about protecting LGBT+ students from hate speech during a time when Section 28 was looming and the AIDS crisis was fueling dangerous misinformation.
In the 1980s, Swansea University Students’ Union took a stand by protesting against homophobic Conservative councillor Richard Lewis.
Lewis, well-known in the media for his homophobic views, was invited by the Conservative Association to speak at the university.
The Students' Union had banned Lewis from entering the university and blocked his path into the building. However, the Chair of the Conservative Association moved the discussion to a different lecture theatre for it to go ahead.
Whilst the talk went ahead, Lewis' speech was drowned out by cries of "OUT! OUT!" from angry students.
Critics accused students of being “anti-free speech” - but the students sent a clear message: universities should be safe spaces, not platforms for hate.
To learn more about allyship, pronouns and gender, take a look at our previous articles :)