Although the images collected throughout this project might be recognisable to all students, Behind the Lens places importance on the meanings that students have attributed to them. Marginalised groups rely on safe spaces and, in the lead-up to LGBT+ History month, it is important to hear from LGBTQ+ members of the Newcastle University community. As stated by Dr. Sikka and Dr. Markham, the goal of this project is to “create room and recognition for marginalised communities”. By showcasing the findings of the Behind the Lens project in this blog post, we hope students will consider the spaces on campus that they themselves value, and think further about how we can all contribute to creating a safe, equitable and supportive environment.
Click the images to enlarge.
The first two images showcase some of the natural beauty surrounding our campus. The participant who submitted photo 1 finds similarities between the colours of spring and the LGBTQ+ pride flag. Drawing on this comparison, Dr. Sikka and Dr. Markham hope that we can recognise the uniqueness and beauty inherent in ourselves, just as easily as we recognise it in the natural world around us.
Photo 2 is a stunning snapshot of a rainbow above Town Moor, taken by the participant as they walked to university. Beyond the more obvious associations of rainbows and the LGBTQ+ community, the participant highlights how the image reminds them of the welcoming community within our university.
This participant highlights on-campus coffee shop, The Grand, as a queer space. Importantly, this expands the concept of a queer space beyond those explicitly designed as such. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, any space has the potential to be a queer space.
Northern Stage and the Hatton Gallery are hubs of art and culture in the heart of campus. Behind the Lens emphasises how “students can easily find their own forms of joy through differing forms of self-expression and art on campus”.
Photo 6 is one of the many photos received of Newcastle University’s libraries. This participant recognises that libraries serve a purpose beyond cramming for exams – when working alongside others, libraries become sites of community. Dr. Sikka and Dr. Markham encompass this perfectly.
“At Newcastle University, libraries are not just a place for students to study on their own, but also a place where they can meet other students and learn from each other. With a wide range of spaces, books and facilities which can cater for the needs of all and every student, Newcastle University libraries always successfully promote a true diverse and inclusive environment. Despite student’s differences, they can share knowledge, skills and can grow together.”
As a queer student myself, I see my experiences mirrored in the participants’ contributions to Behind the Lens. A queer space isn’t just a gay bar – rather, it is anywhere that I feel valued and safe to be myself. By emphasising the queer spaces that exist across campus, Behind the Lens shows that the meanings we attach to spaces are just as important as the spaces themselves. To create these safe spaces, all students – regardless of identity – can come together and promote an inclusive environment.
Through their contributions, students have been able to express their thoughts and feelings towards the EDI practices on campus. Dr. Sikka and Dr. Markham emphasise the importance of recognising these spaces – by showing they exist, they hope to demonstrate Newcastle University’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all.
Finally, as part of the Behind the Lens project, a list of resources has been compiled. Here, these are divided into resources showcasing local LGBTQ+ organisations and individuals, and resources for further information about queer spaces.
Canny Queer Collective is ran by Newcastle University students and graduates and hosts a range of events in Newcastle.
BE: is a charity founded by trans people, for trans people. They provide weekly support meetings every Tuesday, 6pm – 8pm, at the ReCoCo building.
Olive’s Book Club is a queer. Independent, online bookshop.
Lady Kitt is a disabled artist and drag king. They are heavily involved in Newcastle’s creative scene and recognised for their socially engaged art.
Further Information
‘Queer Spaces in Architecture and Culture’ by Pratt Futures. This discussion provides more information about queer spaces in contemporary culture and architecture.
‘Inclusive Spaces: Trans Visibility and the City’ by The Bartlett, UCL Faculty of the Built Environment. As part of a monthly series by UCL, this episode discusses how sexuality interacts with the built environment.
Bibliography on Gender, Sexuality and Space. A collection of further reading on the topic.
‘Azure: What Do We Mean By Queer Space?’ by Evan Pavka.