Queers play ball for uni-ty

by Jason Della

April 4, 2008

SOLIDARITY across WA’s uni campuses is essential in difficult times, and is encouraged by events like the recent Queer Games says Murdoch’s guild president.

“In a time of voluntary student unionism, the student voice is in more danger now than ever of being extinguished,” Clare Middlemas says. “Through events such as the Cross Campus Queer Games, solidarity is encouraged and issues are voiced which generates plans or actions which have the potential to lead to successful outcomes.”

The second annual Queer Games, held at Murdoch on April 3, involved all universities around Perth.

Clare attended the games, and was encouraged by the unity it demonstrated between the Student Guild, the University Equity and Diversity department, and the other university campuses.

The event has grown in popularity since it was established by Murdoch Guild’s Queer Collective representative Emma Kingdon.

Emma is also this year’s National Union of Students queer rep. She says the annual event encourages not only queer unity, but also student unity in general.

The event was not without its controversy. ECU guild president and a former NUS queer rep’, Shane CuCow, light-heartedly said: “It is hardly a coincidence that the judges were all Murdoch Guild reps ... and Murdoch has won both times? Come on!”

This issue aside, Shane expressed strong support for the event, which he sees as facilitating mixing across all sexualities in a fun environment.

UWA student queer rep’ Ania Anderst shares the sentiment.

“It is really important to get people together to talk about issues that affect them, to socialise and be with each other so they feel they are not alone,” she said.

Murdoch won the games for the second year in a row, competing in events such as volleyball, soccer and a no-holds-barred dance off.