what is the lgbta?
In short, we are the organisation within Durham Students' Union (DSU) run by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
Having said that, everything we offer is open to everyone, including students at other institutions, non-students, and those who don't self-define as LGBT.
what we do
Our main activities can be divided into three key areas:
social
We run a large number of social events, catering for nearly every taste. They range from the popular laid-back social every Monday in our own safe space, through regular trips out to student club nights and commercial gay scenes, big highlights such as our river cruise in Durham and our annual black-tie ball, to quieter and lower-key events such as coffee, meals out and film nights.
welfare
We make every effort to support you during your time at university. Services we offer include regular drop-in hours where a listening, non-judgmental ear is available in complete confidence, free safer-sex supplies, and literature and information on a wide range of subjects.
representation
We represent your interests to DSU, NUS, the police and other relevant organisations, attend various conferences, campaign on a number of LGBT-related issues, facilitate discussion, and organise a high-profile annual Awareness Week across the University. It's all informed by our policy, set democratically at our one-member one-vote General Meetings.
For much more information about each main area, see the corresponding section of this site.
an association, not a society
Unlike most student groups in the University, we are not a private members' society, but an open, permanent association of DSU. If you are a Durham University student and self-define as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender you are already nominally a full member. That means you don't need to join, there's no fee to pay, nothing to sign, and no names are recorded.
The only thing you need to do to be completely in the picture is get on our anonymous, discreet e-mail list, to receive updates around twice a week on all our events and services, and other goings-on in and around the area. Find out how...
the personnel
Your association is run on a day-to-day basis by the democratically elected Executive Committee ('the Exec') - you can view their details and mugshots. We also have representatives in colleges, who offer you an alternative point of contact and promote LGBT goings-on and welfare at college level. As Durham colleges vary in character, each rep has written a piece about being an LGBT student in their college, and we also have their contact details and photos.
confidentiality
If you're thinking of coming to LGBTA events, you might be quite keen that some of the people you know wouldn't get to hear where you've been. If confidentiality is important to you, there's no need to worry. We have a common-sense code we ask everyone to follow.
our library
Our main physical asset is our excellent library of LGBT related fiction and non-fiction. The full listings of what we have are available in this section.
affiliation
We are affiliated to two external organisations. These are the Consortium of LGBT Voluntary & Community Organisations and the Coalition for Marriage Equality.
got any questions?
If there's anything else you want to know, we might already have answered it. And we also have a page specially for those studying at the Queen's Campus. If you're sure we haven't answered what you want to know, simply get in touch.
