THE FREEDOM BOOK - Cambridge University Students' Union

14 CUSU LGBT The Freedom Book 2008PerspectivesFreshers’ week at Jesus (2001) seemed designed solelyfor straight students to get drunk and pull each other.The term ‘gay’ appeared to be quite new to Jesus -it’s abig college yet had no undergraduate LBGT representative-but I was met with earnest disbelief rather thandisapproval. ‘Hmmm,’ I thought to myself, ‘there is potentialhere’. Then I ran to the nearest gay pub, got drunk and tried topull people. The next day I contacted CUSU LBGT and offered to bethe Jesus representative. Thus began a happy career of fly posteringand general pestering and soon Jesus felt a bit pinker. Cambridge Universityis an accepting place but giving it a nudge in the right directionnow and again is worth the effort. Indeed, it is my dream that, byrumour and illicit marketing, I will convince a year of applicants thatJesus is ‘the gay college’ and by doing this, to make it so…Rosie Snajdr, Faculty of EducationComing out as bisexual in college was a completelypositive experience. It was only as stressful as I madeit. Reactions ranged from disinterest to warmth; no oneminded and some were happy for me. I have never hadany problems being out in Cambridge. I’ve always beenaware of things to do and places to meet other gaypeople. It’s not something I really needed but it’s good to know thatit’s there. I think that for a bisexual person you want acceptance by thegay community as well as everyone else. You don’t want to be seen asjust curious or confused. I’ve always felt accepted here and I’ve neverfelt pressured. Efforts to make events inclusive and gay-friendly ratherthan just for gay people were great for me as I never felt out of place.Ben Shepherd, Graduate Student 2005