This week Coventry University Student Union join in with the ‘Think Outside The Box’ campaign, launched as part of LGBT* History month.
The campaign is specifically focused on tackling the binary tick box system currently used on most University paperwork.
What is the Think Outside The Box Campaign?
This year the LGBTQIA+ Society and the LGBT+ student councillor are aspiring to make Coventry University and its Student Union a more inclusive space for all students, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
The Think Outside the Box campaign aims to raise awareness of how exclusive tick box systems are to Trans* students. These students may feel they don’t fit within the confines of the male/female gender identity and are therefore unable to simply tick ‘male’ or ‘female’. The campaign seeks to change the ‘tick box’ format of University and Student Union paperwork, replacing the boxes with a line for students to write their own gender identity. The union believe that this will not only enable students to define themselves in their own way, but also prevent gender discrimination by providing a more inclusive system. Furthermore, it can be argued that this system will also generate a far more accurate representation of the student population!
How do I get involved?
Starting on the 24th of February, the LGBT+ Councillor and a number of volunteers will be working to raise awareness of self-indentification, gender neutrality and the aforementioned ‘tick box’ issue. If you come down to the hub tomorrow, you will be able to use our photo booth and identity wall to show us how you identify. The volunteers and society members will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have about the campaign, and will encourage you to sign the ‘Think Outside The Box’ petition. Please come along and take part!
What else is happening?
