Queer, Student, Activism Dr Jessica Rodgers, Queensland University of Technology

Introduction Queer (GLBTIQ) students important to tertiary communities. National and university-specific queer officers, queer spaces, queer publications, annual queer conference. Considerable US research. Some Australian research (Willett, Marshall, Cover, Pendleton, Reynolds). Intersections of queer, student, activism create a particular type of activism.

Context and Method Australian queer student activism - early 1970s. Educated, largely white middle-class university environment. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 8 students. Examining understandings of queer student activism, and the impact of editorial processes and the university setting on the representation of queer in publications.

Visibility Creates awareness and debunks stereotypes. Helps queers feel less alone. Seeing one’s self is an important part of identity and self esteem development (Cover 2002). Foundation for socialising and receiving support. CAMP Brisbane, 1971, CBD public visibility action with signs: “Gay is Good,” “Lesbians are Lovely,” “I like Men” (Reynolds 2002: 43).

Access and Participation – University Contexts University setting limits access and participation - who can attend university, and thus become involved in tertiary queer student activism. Key factors in the organisation of community media (Rennie, 2006). It takes resources to participate in activism. University context aids the production of queer student media, but it is not immune from issues that affect community media.

Intersections Must recognise factors that influence which queer youth get to speak about queer. Socio-cultural contexts influence what is said. Moment of queer activist reflection about intersections. Interviewees recognise a context-specific position. Queer student activism.