RainbowUCT at Pride 2010Dear RainbowUCT,
 
Welcome to the second term!
 
Whatever you were up to this vac, we hope it was relaxing!
 
What an amazing first term we have had! After our amazing Opening Function (UCT Pub = dominated), RainbowUCT has been busy non-stop, and here are a few highlights:
 

• Our Discussion Groups have been rich and stimulating, and that’s thanks to you!
• We had an awesome time at the Pride parade — and there are plenty of photos to prove it! Our own Pride Hike was a huge success — big shout-outs to Catherine and Louis for organising and leading what is sure to become a regular Pride event.
• Many of you attended Alex Muller’s international “Faces of IGLYO” exhibition at the Centre for African Studies. The Exhibition moves now to the International Gay and Lesbian Archives (IHLIA) in the Netherlands and will be shown across Eastern Europe during Pride season.
• On the activism side, we have fought for justice over the past few months by taking part in the protest on the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill, as well as CoED’s demonstration outside the Khayelitsha Regional Court to demand justice for Zoliswa Nkonyana.
• RainbowUCT has been featured in the press both on and off campus with lots of great coverage in Varsity and The Pink Tongue newspapers for our activism and other activities — and there are lots of pictures of you, so get your copy of The Pink Tongue (see below).

A quick overview of upcoming events:
 
This term promises to be just as exciting with lots planned to keep your life colourful!

• In just a few short weeks, we’ll be having an inter-varsity social ("Rainbow Social") with other local LGBTI groups. We’re thinking something social and fun like a boat trip or paintballing — suggestions are welcome! For now, save the date: Saturday, 24 April.
• RainbowUCT is planning a Pink Week for 3-7 May — a total campus takeover with Pink Police, special guest speakers, film screenings, and discussion groups aimed at raising awareness on campus. We’ll also be relaunching our infamous Closet campaign.
• Dylan and Cat will also be attending the 4th Annual Youth Leaders Lekgotla hosted by University of Pretoria’s LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex) student organization “UP and OUT” in Pretoria. The Lekgotla aims to establish an umbrella representative body for all University based LGBTI societies and to develop and implement strategies to eradicate discrimination and hate crimes at tertiary institutions and the broader community. It sees delegates from these tertiary institutions gathering to discuss and strategize methods of upholding the human rights attributed to LGBTI citizens.
• Also coming up is the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras in Knysna, from 27 April – 2 May, a week full of parties, drag shows, theatre performances, as well as the first ever PINK Soccer Challenge, the famous street parade, art exhibitions and so much more. We are looking to organise a small group to go, so stay tuned and check it out so long www.pinkloeriemardigras.co.za.
• And of course we’ll be finishing the semester off in classic Rainbow fashion with our Mid-year Function on 14 May with the theme "Fruit Salad -- it's a jungle out there".
• Our Discussion Groups will continue every week, alternating on Mondays and Wednesdays at 16h45 in Arts 118, kicking off this Wednesday (details below).
• At the end of every month, be sure to pick up your copy of the latest Pink Tongue newspaper on level 5 of the Steve Biko building (two floors up from the Food Court) near the Closet and opposite the Societies Centre.

Check your mail often, visit our Facebook page or visit our Events page  to find out details about upcoming events.
 
As always, if you have any ideas for Rainbow events, discussion group topics, or anything else, don’t hesitate to contact your committee! Make use of the "Suggestion box" on the Contact Us page or email uct.rainbow@gmail.com.
 
Our next Discussion Group will be this Wednesday, the 31st of March. This week we will be discussing “Gender Identity: How do you express yourself? What decides your identity?” at 16h45 until 18h00 in Arts 118.
 
See you soon!

The RainbowUCT Team