Rainbow Week 2016 launched

Jessica McKeon: “This year we want the week to really be a celebration of being LGBTQ and all that our community has achieved”

NEWSRainbow Week was launched today, March 21, with a miniature Pride parade and reception in the Atrium with Colm O’Gorman and Averil Power in attendance. Rainbow Week, jointly organised by Trinity College Dublin’s Students’ Union (TCDSU) and Q Soc, is dedicated to raising awareness of LGBTQ issues.

Speaking to Trinity News about the importance of the week, Jessica McKeon, auditor of Q Soc, stated that: “While we at Q Soc try to do all we can, we obviously don’t have the pull and publicity of the SU which is why it’s great that such a week exists and that we can have so many varied events for the wider queer community in Trinity.”

McKeon expressed excitement over the plans for Rainbow Week: “This year we want the week to really be a celebration of being LGBTQ and all that our community has achieved. The past number of years we feel the week has been very politicised, and not without good reason. However, this year we wanted to bring it back to being out and proud and happy and celebratory.”

There will be lots of events on during the week, such as the non-binary ally workshop on Tuesday, the Robbie Lawlor talk on HIV on Wednesday, and Lipsync for your Life! on Monday.

Asked which events are not to be missed, McKeon replied: “We’d highly recommend the Lipsync for Your Life! on Monday in Peadar Kearney’s at 7. Last year was the first year we ran it, and it was hugely successful, even winning Best Event at our own Q Soc Goscars awards. As such, this year it’s back with a bang.”

McKeon also pointed out other events that would be of interest such as the Q Soc and Hist debate, This House Would Identify as Queer, on Wednesday: “The debate on Wednesday should also be really interesting and insightful. A lot of people have different opinions on the use of the word ‘queer.’ Trinity has really reclaimed it, but that’s definitely not the case on a wider scale. And the reception afterwards is going to be rainbow themed, from the decorations to the food.”

The debate will be followed by a nightout at PrHomo: “We’re taking over the back room, filling it with pillows for a nineties sleepover-themed, pillow fight room. There’ll be glitter face paint and nineties tunes and movie reels playing. It’ll be so much fun.”

The topic of the MSM blood ban will also be addressed as part of the week. McKeon explained that there will be a stand in the Arts Building where: “People can sign the postcards and write in their own personal reasons too as to why they think the ban is a bad idea.” The postcards will be then be sent to the Minister for Health when elected to show how students feel about the ban.

On Q Soc’s hopes for the week, Mckeon said: “We hope the week goes well and that lots of people come to lots of things. A huge amount of organisation goes into pulling off big campaign weeks like this so people should make the most of it.”