ASSEMBLY - PRIDE AND PRISM

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Ash K(12H) gave a heartfelt speech which not only highlighted the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community but promoted a solution in the form of Queenswood’s Prism Club, of which they are the student lead. Prism, which seeks to be the student voice for LGBTQ+ issues, meets weekly as a safe space for all students.

Speaking without notes earned Ash the admiration of all present and an extra round of applause! Here is Ash’s speech in full:

“Hi! Some of you probably know me, some people won’t, so I’ll introduce myself. I’m Ash and I’m a lower sixth A level student. I’m openly trans and bisexual, two identities that fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella and I am head of Prism, Queenswood’s LGBTQ+ club, and I’m here to talk about that I suppose, although I’ll try not to go on about myself too much. However, just for those of you who aren’t aware, bisexual means I’m attracted to both men and women, and transgender means that I don’t identify with the sex I was assigned, or in simple terms, I don’t identify with being a girl. I’m not here to talk about that, but if you’re curious you can get in contact with me and I’d be happy to talk!

Every day you can see another piece of depressing news about a new law against queer people. A hate crime. A person hurting. I’m not here to talk about that. What I am here to talk about is Pride. Pride is a celebration, it’s in the name, it is about being proud.

In June 1969 the first stonewall brick was thrown. We don’t know who it was, many theorise that it was Sylvia Rivera, a trans, queer woman and a woman of colour, she threw the brick to fight for a right to be herself. Sylvia was proud.

In 1970 the year after this riot people within New York gathered together to commemorate the riots. This was the beginning of pride. This was a group of people proud and unafraid to be themselves.

In 1978 the rainbow flag was created by Gilbert Baker. It has since become a symbol of the community. This replaced the pink triangle, a symbol used by Nazi’s to identify queer and homosexual people.

In 1999 the first transgender day of remembrance was created by Gwendolyn Ann Smith. Recognising those who were harmed by hatred. This continues on to this day. She was proud to be who she was. And she was proud of those who came before her and fought despite the discrimination they faced.

In 2001 the Netherlands was the first country that legalised same sex marriage. Job Cohen, the mayor of Amsterdam during this period, led four couples' weddings at midnight. Those 8 people were proud.

In march 2014 gay marriage was legalised in England and Wales. It’s not as long ago as we would think, right? I was already in school by the time this was legalised. I believe all of you were born by then. This was passed within your lifetime. This isn’t that long ago.

It is because of the people who came before me I’m able to be open about who I am. It is because of them that I’m able to be proud. It’s also because of the people around me, the people who have supported me as I worked it out. Allyship is such an important part of people's lives and your support means the absolute world. It's because of that that I am able to stand up here and talk about this.

Whether you identify with what I've said or not, if anyone wants to come to Prism even just for a session, I’d love to see you there. It’s fully student run and it’s a good way to socialise without limitations of year groups, and it's been an absolute honour for me to run. It’s a safe space for everyone to be themselves. Thank you so much for listening.”

PREFECT HANDOVER

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week the Outgoing Prefect Team handed their responsibilities to the Incoming Prefect Team. This provided an opportunity for the whole school to give thanks and show their appreciation for the Prefects leaving us this summer and to welcome and encourage the new Prefects whose leadership responsibilities commence now and into the 2025/26 academic year.