Queer
Welcome to the Queer Department! We organise events, represent your interests and fight for your rights at RMIT. Come to the queer lounge, friend or follow us online, or email us at rusu.queer@rmit.edu.au to get involved!
We work for all students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, transgender, intersex, queer, genderqueer, queer-friendly or who are just uncertain about their sexuality.
The Queer Department aims to be a visible and vocal advocate for queer rights on campus. We challenge discrimination, fight homophobia, smash stereotypes and poke our tongues out at hetero-normativity.
We also run the Queer Lounges, where queer students can be themselves without being judged. You can visit any time to study, relax or meet new people. We organise regular events at uni as well as participating in wider comunity events. The City Queer Department also holds weekly Queer Collective Meetings, where we talk about our plans for the semester, figure out future campaigns, and maul to death small innocent pastries.
There are two Queer Lounges: City Campus (Building 8, Level 3, Room 6) and Bundoora Campus (Building 204). Drop in any time to study, snooze or socialise!
Weekly events
Mondays: Weekly meetings! Come say hi to your strikingly handsome Queer Officers and the charming members of their collective, and stuff yourself with free bakery goods! Each meeting will be followed by either a games night or a movie night, They'll be held at 5pm, in your favuorite Queer Lounge (opposite the gym, down the hallway from the RUSU front counter).
Tuesdays: Women's wine & whine! Relax and unwine with the lovely ladies of the Queer Lounge. The wine is free, BYO whine!
Thursdays: Today is a big day! From 12.30 we'll be holding Crafternoons, an afternoon of craft for non-gender-binary people. Then from 5pm it's Talky Thursday, a session of anonymous questions about sex, relationships and queer issues. Put your suggestions in the Suggestion Ox during the week, or ask us on Tumblr!
Friday: Fresh meat and greet! This is the day for newbies to the Queer Lounge to come and say hi, have a chat, and get to know the people and processes of the Queer Department.
Next events
April 13: Lady Gaga costume-making workshop and party! 7pm, Queer Lounge.
April 19: Trip to the Melbourne Zoo! Scribble your lovely signature on a sign-up sheet, and we'll take you for an afternoon of spots, stripes, paws and claws, completely free! Bring food to share, and we'll have a lovely picnic too! We'll be taking public transport, and heading from the university at 12.30pm.
Your Lords and Masters
If you have questions, need advice, would like to get involved in the collective, or have a surplus of pancakes that need eating, contact your friendly Queer Officers Ms Kim d'Amazing and Mr Marcus Lim at rusu.queer@rmit.edu.au!
Resistance is futile
The Queer Department is on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!
Follow us to stay connected with what's going on, find out about events and connect with other Collective members. Our Facebook group is private and confidential, which means posts or activities will not show up on your profile.
Wellbeing
RUSU runs a drop in centre for RMIT students experiencing life difficulties who want to know where to go to resolve them. Compass can provide you with information, referrals and support, is totally free and is independent from the university.
Student Rights
If you have an inquiry relating to your rights at uni you can contact RUSU's fantastic Student Rights team. They will give you independent advice and advocacy that looks out for your best interests.
Harassment
Harassment of any kind is unacceptable on campus. This includes homophobic bullying, name-calling, or any other behaviour that makes you feel unsafe. RMIT has clear policies against such behaviour. If this is happening to you, contact the Queer Officers or a Students Rights Officer.
