Throughout their school years, Leon was creative with a real passion for media. Whilst they never planned on going to university, discovering it offered entry into the creative industries: they chose to study Film.
As a queer student, it wasn’t just about picking the best course, but also finding a support network of like-minded people. Discovering that Bournemouth University had adequate support for the LGBTQ+ community was therefore a critical part of their decision to move 200 miles away from home.
“After researching BU and SUBU, I could sense there was a good vibe. I saw there was an active LGBTQ society, a Liberation Campaign and Student Pride, so I knew it was a university that put a real effort into creating a sense of community for students like me.”
Leon knew they were different back at school but didn’t allow themselves to consider being queer as a possibility. Their coming out journey began at sixth form, and it was “very scary” as they knew so few people going through these experiences so building a thriving community became an essential part of their time at University.
Before coming to BU, Leon didn’t particularly see themselves as a ‘pro-active’ person.
Arriving in Bournemouth however, they were excited to be involved in the LGBTQ+ Society, IRIS, and initially took on a vacant Health & Safety Officer role, followed by a Communications Officer position.
By the end of the year, they’d come up with a whirlwind of ideas and successfully ran for the Society’s President.
After Leon was elected, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and meant they had to move back home, missing out on their friends and exciting projects. So as restrictions began to ease, Leon wanted their remaining time at University to be the best it could be and made the most of their role as a President.
A simple name change - from IRIS to IRIS LGBTQ+ Society - allowed more students to discover the Society, but in a discreet manner. Also, during the Christmas season, Leon worked with their committee to organise Queermas for students who couldn’t celebrate as their authentic selves at home.
“People said it felt like a big family, and it was really special to create that space for them. It showed me the power of having a community and working together.”
Leon also successfully ran for Trans, Non-Binary, Intersex and Gender Identity + Officer role at SUBU, working on a number of LGBTQ+ campaigns and events to make a difference within the community.
To help gender diverse students to access expensive gender affirming items and gender identity clinics, Leon also created the Gender Expression Fund – important, life changing work that saw them recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Liberation Campaigns at SUBU’s 2022-23 Awards.
“When I’ve spoken to people from other SU’s, they really had to fight for a Gender Expression Fund. But at SUBU, everyone went above and beyond to make it work. SUBU has been incredibly supportive throughout my studies; they’ve allowed me to have a voice and make a change. I feel really empowered by the opportunities they have given me.”
Whilst Leon never thought they’d get involved with politics, their passion for carving safe spaces for LGBTQ+, Trans and Non-Binary students has been instrumental for these marginalised communities.
At a time of undoubted rise in transphobic rhetoric across the UK, Leon have grown in confidence, their activism leaving a lasting legacy within the Students’ Union and the University as a whole.