On Saturday 2 April, three SCG students joined other students from schools around Shropshire to celebrate all things LGBTQ+ at the Young People's Showcase.
As part of the Shrewsbury LGBT+ History Festival, run by SAND (Safe Ageing No Discrimination), students shared all the amazing things they do to support fellow LGBTQ+ young people at their schools, as well as what they did to celebrate LGBT History Month in February.
SCG students Lizzie Jordan (she/they), Skye Perry (they/them) and Kaitlin Stokes (she/her) represented the college’s Pride group, with a presentation on the importance of transgender and non-binary people in LGBTQ+ history.
The presentation included a discussion of gender as existing on a spectrum, as well as an examination of how the legal rights of trans people have progressed since the Stonewall uprising of 1969. They also explained how non-binary identities have existed for centuries, using the example of the Hijra people who were referenced in ancient Hindu texts.
The theme of the festival was ‘remembering the past, celebrating the present and creating the future’. Seeing what past generations of Shropshire LGBTQ+ people had done in creating a more accepting society to empower the young people of today was very inspiring.
Lizzie said “I thought that the performances were really cool and there was a fun, inviting atmosphere. I enjoyed meeting new people and wasn't as nervous as I thought that I would be doing the presentation.”
Skye, SCG’s LGBTQ+ Officer on the Student Union, added: “As a non-binary person myself, I felt it was important to take this opportunity to tell everyone about the place that the transgender and non-binary communities occupy in LGBTQ+ history. It may seem like our identities are new, but this is only due to us finally having more representation after existing for what we now know as centuries. It was a lovely day, and a great addition to the journey of spreading equality, diversity and inclusivity for all gender identities that we strive for at SCG.”
Sal Hampson (she/her), Director of SAND, said: “The Young People’s Showcase has become a hugely valued part of the LGBT+ History Festival since the very first one in 2016. Credit must go to all of those young people who gave such engaging presentations and to the schools which supported them. We think they may have stolen the show!”
This year's Young People's Showcase was coordinated by Lucy Frederick at Shrewsbury Academy, whose dance students ended the event with a choreographed performance to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way.
Lucy concluded: “This was a fabulous event; the Hive was booming and next year we will need a bigger venue to accommodate the crowd! What a special day for the LGBTQ+ youth of Shropshire - roll on next year!”
The SCG staff who attended the Young People’s Showcase really appreciated the chance to hear both our current students and the next cohort of college students speak up about the issues they are passionate about.
Lorraine Burrage (she/her), Project Co-ordinator at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, said: “I felt very proud to be part of the day. All the students involved are doing some great work in helping to raise awareness and supporting other LGBTQ+ students within their schools and colleges. Thank you to Lucy and Sal for the opportunity to include our students in this event; we really look forward to working with you all again next year.”
More information on the Shrewsbury LGBT+ History Festival can be found here.
Further information on how SCG celebrates transgender and non-binary people can be found here.