Here's a round up of staff and student events celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month at Imperial.

Staff and students 

23 February - Imperial 600 and Imperial College Union: What's the 'A' in LGBTQIA+ 

17.00-18.00, Online (Zoom) 

Join us in celebrating Aromantic Awareness Week with our LGBTQIA+ panel who’ll be exploring the experiences of being Aromantic and Asexual. The panel of Imperial postgraduates and undergraduates will be joined by guest panellist, Yasmin Benoit, the Activist behind Stonewall's Ace in the UK report. All Imperial staff and students are welcome to attend and ask questions. 

Sign up for the event

19 February - Move imperial: Queering the gym  

12:15 – 13.00, Online and in-person (571 Read Lecture theatre, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus) 

Georgie Okell (they/them) has worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor for the last seven years. They have taught HIIT classes at Barry’s Bootcamp in London and Stockholm and at London’s 1Rebel. They are the co-founder of Pecs Education, a transmasculine and non-binary strength and conditioning class, and Co-founder of BEND, a queer movement class booking platform. Georgie is also a Nike trainer, and works primarily with clients from the queer and trans community to help them reconnect to their bodies through movement. 

The talk will cover: Georgie’s work with Non-Binary and Trans Masc Community, making fitness spaces safer and more inclusive, and how to be a better ally to LGBTQ+ people in the fitness community. 

Sign up to the session, and for further information contact Josh Massen.  

27 February - Chemistry LGBTQ+ lecture: Kip Erev 

17.30 – 19.00  
B10, MSRH, White City Campus 

Kip Erev (he/him, fae/faer) talks about his journey as a transgender member of the LGBTQ+ community. Kip is a qualified teacher and trainee Art Psychotherapist. He has worked in mental health and support settings for a number of years, including facilitating support groups, reflective practice, suicide prevention work and inclusion training. He is passionate about working with a psychodynamic, intersectional, and affirming approach. Kip's work and studies, alongside faer own life experiences, taught Kip about the importance of being trauma-informed and how vital connecting with mental wellbeing is to all of us. 

17.30 Networking and snacks followed by Kip speaking at 18.30, no registration needed. 

Contact Ingrid co-director for EDI in the Department of Chemistry for more details i.temmerman@imperial.ac.uk  

Staff Events 

21 February - LGBTQ+ inclusion and mental health training 

This course allows you to gain insight and skills in assessing and addressing the needs of LGBTQ staff/students with mental health issues. You will also gain confidence in dealing with heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. 

Find out more about the training

14, 22, 27 February - Campus coffee with Imperial 600 

Coffee catch ups will be held at the following times across our campuses:

• South Kensington – 14 Feb, 13.00 – 14.00 
• St Mary’s - 22 Feb, 09.30 - 10.30
• Hammersmith – 27 Feb, 09.30 - 10.30

Student Events 

13 February - LGBTQIA+ Careers Panel 2024 

18.30 - 20.00, online 

The careers panel will be made up of senior figures from the worlds of IT, finance, management consultancy, intellectual property rights and corporate intelligence. The panellists will be discussing their career paths, and their LGBTQIA+ identity in the workplace. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the session. The event is hosted by the Careers Service and IQ, and is open to any student, or recent graduate, who identifies as LGBTQIA+ (or allies of the community).   

Students and recent graduates from Imperial College London can book via JobsLive. Alternatively, register through this MS Form and you will be emailed a join link.  

19 February - Finding Inclusive Employers 

18.00 - 19.00 (online) 

Hosted by the Careers Service at Imperial College London this event will help you to find employment where you'll be comfortable and successful at work while being yourself, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Students and recent graduates from Imperial College London can book via JobsLive Alternatively, you can register through this MS Form and you will be emailed a join link.  

19 February – Networks stall 

11.00 - 13.00 

Come and see us in the Sherfield Walkway to find out about the support available at Imperial for LGBTQIA+ students, what the ICU LGBTQ+ Network is up to, and the opportunity to pick up a rainbow lanyard, new pronoun pin and LGBTQ+ stickers! 

21 February - Bakesale 

10.00 – 13.00, Abdus Salam Library foyer 

Come and buy delicious cakes and other baked goods to raise money for Mermaids (Trans+ young people and families) and MindOut (LGBTQ+ Mental Health charity) our elected charities. 

Other events 

IQ and the ICU will also be hosting a range of events over LGBTQIA+ History Month including socials, film night, and a Valentine's trip to Heaven. IQ will also be joining National Student Pride on 23 February. Keep an eye on Instagram (@iq.imperial and @imperial_lgbtq) for details.