Trinity LGBT- A first hand perspective?

outnumbered

Hey guys,
So I am heading into Trinity in a week or so. I wish to join Q soc, the LGBT soc, when I am there. I am just wondering, what is it really like? Are they friendly or cliquey? What should I expect?
What sort of activities do they do? I realise that they have a website and while useful, I would like to get a first hand insight.
Looking forward to hearing about it.

zachaus

You'll be welcomed with open cheeks...

Amirani

zachaus wrote: »

You'll be welcomed with open cheeks...

Well aren't you hilarious. :rolleyes:

OP, I haven't got any experience of either of the societies you mentioned but I've heard good things from those involved. Pretty much all societies are very open to new members. Some are more active that others, but as far as I'm aware LGBT and Q soc are quite active.

They'll both have stands during freshers week to answer whatever questions you have.

zachaus

NiallSparky wrote: »

Well aren't you hilarious. :rolleyes:

outnumbered

zachaus wrote: »

Are you a religious fanatic or something?

zachaus

outnumbered wrote: »

Are you a religious fanatic or something?

Don't worry. You'll fit right in at Trinity College. Are you studying drama?

outnumbered

zachaus wrote: »

Don't worry. You'll fit right in at Trinity College. Are you studying drama?

Yeah... and biblical studies!

EmmetOT

NiallSparky wrote: »

Well aren't you hilarious. :rolleyes:

OP, I haven't got any experience of either of the societies you mentioned but I've heard good things from those involved. Pretty much all societies are very open to new members. Some are more active that others, but as far as I'm aware LGBT and Q soc are quite active.

They'll both have stands during freshers week to answer whatever questions you have.

QSoc is the LGBT society. They're the same thing.

(It's like Fight Club all over again)

stealinhorses

I've heard from my gay friend that the society is super politically correct. They changed their name to LGBTAPSC or something to include "pansexual", asexual and "sexually curious". Also he said there was confusion between transgender and transsexual so they had to change it to Q soc to be fair to everyone :rolleyes:

Annasopra

stealinhorses wrote: »

I've heard

The op was looking for a first hand perspective not third hand. I don't believe the stuff about APSC either :-|

playedalive

Hi OP. I'm just recently a graduate from TCD. I've only been to one coffee morning in the Q Soc room last year. While I contacted the major people involved in the society (and they were friendly!), I did go once and I found it quite difficult to get chatting to people because everybody had known each other by the stage. Most of the people there were 1st years or 2nd years and highly involved in societies (most of the chat was about the SU and people I didn't know). It probably didn't help that I joined after christmas in 4th year (just when I officially 'came out').

Personally speaking, and this is ONLY my opinion. I think a lot of societies in TCD depend on you joining from the very start of the year (or even from 1st year onwards, in some cases, to get involved within it). During my time, I tried to get involved in many societies but people had already made their friends and weren't that welcoming . You're in an ideal position having come to acknowledge your sexuality just at the start of college. I think they organise a lot of nights out, plays (in conjunction with players) and events promoting marriage equality, etc... I think getting involved at the start would help you to get more from it then I did. At the time of 4th year, I was mostly trying to get a good grade for my final degree assessments.

Best of luck!

Edit: If you would like OP during the year, There is a meet up organised on the LGBT forum to meet people in Dublin. Feel free to keep an eye out for it and come along whenever. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057025792

EmmetOT

I totally agree with playedalive. I get the impression most societies are really just a small group of friends and then a large amount of members who occasionally go to their events.

outnumbered

So is there no other way of meeting LGBT friends, If these are cliquey?

NSNO

EmmetOT wrote: »

I totally agree with playedalive. I get the impression most societies are really just a small group of friends and then a large amount of members who occasionally go to their events.

As someone involved in societies, that's not entirely untrue. Though of course the most active members are going to become friends with each other purely because they spend a lot of time together.

Friendships take time to build and while society people will be more than happy to welcome you to their room and events - one can't really expect them to be friends with you overnight. One still has to put in all the usual effort into actually making friends with somebody - but at least the society is providing an outlet and a common ground to make that a lot easier

As for Q Soc, from the times I've met the committee at the Societies' Ball they seem plenty nice and friendly - you won't have any problems.

UnholyGregor

zachaus wrote: »

You'll be welcomed with open cheeks...

literally
edit: just realized that was the joke and i was too slow to get it ;__;
w-w-welcome to trinity

zachaus

outnumbered wrote: »

Yeah... and biblical studies!

There's always room for another Anglican fairy at Trinity College.

Annasopra

outnumbered wrote: »

So is there no other way of meeting LGBT friends, If these are cliquey?

I'd say just go along and see what it is like - You have nothing to lose

playedalive

mango salsa wrote: »

I'd say just go along and see what it is like - You have nothing to lose

OP, I am only basing my personally disappointing experience of Trinity LGBT on one particular coffee morning. If I were you, I would join up and attend the coffee breaks in the society room. Luckily, you'll meet first years and other students in the same boat.

As I said, you're new to the college and the society from freshers week. That will work in your favour. If I'd joined it in first year, maybe it would have been easier for me. But by 4th year, getting the degree was my priority.

qmzp

mango salsa wrote: »

I'd say just go along and see what it is like - You have nothing to lose

Exactly. I think most people are nervous going to their first event, particularly if they're young and not (or not quite) out. Some people bring a friend. Others don't. People are generally very nice to newbies as they remember being in the same position themselves. Go to events early in the semester and you're bound to meet other newbies in the same boat as you.

A Neurotic

outnumbered wrote: »

So is there no other way of meeting LGBT friends, If these are cliquey?

Plenty of LGBT people around who don't feel the need to join or be active in a college society about it!

Sir Ophiuchus

I was involved in LGBT soc (QSoc now) a few years ago, and served on the committee for a year. They tend to be nice people - a bit cliquey, but only in the way that college societies in general can be (lots of people with a shared interest who get to know a lot about one another).

In my day there was a fair bit of focus on nights out and drinking with an exclusion of much else, but that may have changed.

I'd say give them a shot - they've also organised good workshops and events for Rainbow Week, etc, in the past. And don't worry, you won't find it particularly hard to find or make LGBT friends in Trinity whether or not you join QSoc.

outnumbered

Thanks to everyone who helped!

I have arranged a one to one meeting with a member to get to know someone before joining so that I don't have to go in by myself. Seems really supportive!