Leighton Gray for Campaigns and Engagement
Heyis! My name is Leighton Gray and I am running to be your next C&E Officer. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!
01/05/2020
Hi everyone!
You have cast your votes and I'm so grateful so many of you took the time to vote for me in this difficult time.
As far as I'm aware I'm the first openly trans officer, something I'm honoured to be. I'm also 22 today so what an exciting start to the year!
I look forward to working hard all summer and seeing you all properly in September.
Stay safe, chat soon.
Leighton x
vote.ucdsu.ie
Voting is now open until the 30th of April at 9pm! Make sure to cast your vote at vote.ucdsu.ie
This quick video shows you how simple it is to cast your vote ✊
Interested to hear what I had to say in hustings? Then here's the video!
You have until tomorrow evening to register to vote.
https://vote.ucdsu.ie/registration/
19/04/2020
Excited to work with Fix Our Education ✊
You can find short videos of myself and other candidates chatting away on the SU Facebook!
Remember, you have to register to vote in the upcoming SU elections! This video will show you how.
vote.ucdsu.ie/registration
16/04/2020
ELECTIONS UPDATES AND DETAILS:
We have dates! April 29th and 30th online polling for the UCDSU elections. Opening at 9AM the 29th and closing 9PM the 30th of April.
YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER.
Here is a link for https://vote.ucdsu.ie/registration/
You can register today but you have only until Friday 24th to register so do so as fast as possible to ensure your voice is heard. THAT'S 8 DAYS TO REGISTER.
We have a post up later today on how to get registered and are happy to answer any questions about it.
HUSTINGS:
Hustings will occur via Zoom on the Wednesday and Thursday of next week so the 22nd and 23rd of April. We don't have a time yet.
ELECTION RESULTS:
We will have the results of the election on May 1st at 6pm.
We'll know more within a week so keep checking the page and asking us questions.
08/04/2020
Happy Wednesday! Unfortunately I haven't been able to chat to ye much in person, but alongside quick bios and and articles, theres now a YouTube video of a panel I spoke at last week! Have a flick through to listen to me chat about equality (or lack thereof) in third level education, thanks to .ie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns4ZDdD5CHc&t=4s
05/04/2020
Thank you so much to past sabbatical officers for endorsing me for this position! Have a read here
UCDSU Election Update; Leighton Gray leads in endorsements, Education candidates on “No-Detriment” policy, IADB approves online v | University Observer The latest news from the 2020 Students' Union electionsBy Gavin Tracey | Apr 5 2020Leighton Gray leads in endorsements Endorsements from former sabbatical officers in SU races are relatively uncommon, however Leighton Gray, running against incumbent Katie O’Dea for the position of Campaigns and E...
04/04/2020
UCD students call for a ‘No Detriment’ policy to be enacted | University Observer Following the implementation of policies across the UK, UCD students, along with students in Trinity College and UCC, are now calling for a ‘No Detriment’ policy to be brought into place. This action began with a Change.org petition posted earlier this week by Edie Connors, which has since been ...
So important that we make UCD sit up and listen whilst its students are under an immense varieties of pressures and struggles.
04/04/2020
Thanks to the UO for chatting with me!
"In addition, Leighton Gray also comments on how the current SU are running protests relating to the rent crisis saying that they and “a lot of students are very frustrated with the lack of radical action and the compliance of rules” and confirms with this notion by saying, “ I don’t really think I’d call it radical.” Gray looks to bring more initiative to the role of C&E officer by sharing, “I’m not afraid to get in trouble with UCD, which is what I think we need right now, rather than playing it safe.” They then elaborate on their plans of what they are going to do next year. “I think, sometimes having protests earlier will show management that we’re trying to make a point and we’re not afraid to break the rules and push their buttons. Sometimes that might be the only way to get them to listen. I think that just talking when obviously someone is not listening, doesn’t make sense.”
SU Elects: Leighton Gray- Campaigns and Engagement | University Observer Leighton Gray is completing their Master’s degree in Gender Studies at UCD and is currently running for the position of Campaigns and Engagement officer in the upcoming Student Union election.By UCDSU Election 2020 | Apr 4 2020In their own words, Gray describes the role of Campaigns and Engagement...
Head over to STAND to sign up for free! See you at 7
02/04/2020
Council approved online voting last night, so here we go! Date is yet to be confirmed.
Check out the College Tribune to see me introduce myself!
http://collegetribune.ie/students-union-elections-so-whos-running-this-year/
It's really important to continue to be active, even after certain days and events are over. Check out this article I contributed to on being a trans ally!
https://www.empwr.ie/post/we-asked-5-transgender-people-for-their-top-tips-on-how-to-be-an-ally
31/03/2020
Some people have gotten on to me concerned about their grades during the pandemic. Same here, online classes cannot compare and I am worried about my GPA.
A lot of you also voted on insta that you wanted the union to take a more visibly proactive stance, which I agree with.
For now, here's a petition we can sign.
http://chng.it/BdgF5tNBrw
Sign the Petition "No detriment" Policy for UCD
31/03/2020
Thank you so much to TENI for including me in their videos!
Head over to the UCDSU insta stories to see the interview and content I've organised for today.
Happy ❤️https://youtu.be/pH-JV6TfHww
TENI TDOV Positivity Today is Trans Day of Visibility . We asked our community to tell us something positive about being trans. Here's what they said. If you'd like to j...
31/03/2020
Something I've organised for the day that's in it! Tune in ✊
We’ll be live with UCD Students' Union on Instagram today at 1pm. Tune in to join the conversation on this
30/03/2020
An update re elections! This is frustrating but we shall persevere ✊ take a read of my manifesto, look at expanded points, look through insta highlights, tell your friends and ask me questions!
Stay safe.
26/03/2020
It was great to see such big numbers at the climate change protest in semester one, and at the Great Donate, but what can we do with all that passion in between these events?
I may be repeating myself BUT effective and sustained action is something the union really needs to improve on. Students care about the climate but the union only focuses on rare and big events. I propose we coordinate UCD's very own Fridays for Climate. We can interact with students through our social media to share info on how to be more sustainable and WHY these actions are beneficial. We can look into and realise any info we find in regards to how UCD needs to improve for the climate. Once a month we can have our own sit in protests for system change, not climate change.
Tldr, the union needs to take sustained and continuous action on the climate, not just a handful of events per year.
23/03/2020
A whopping 86% of you answered in yesterday's poll that you felt the mental health services in UCD aren't good enough: I have to agree.
We are so far beyond the stage of needing to campaign for awareness. We know the devestating impacts of poor mental health due to lack of services. UCD also knows this, they don't need us to tell them.
I have been on mental health medication since I was 15. I spent 3 years in the counselling services in UCD, and have been admitted to a mental health hospital.
I was left by myself for over 6 hours after being promised an emergency appointment in the UCD health services.
And I am not the only one.
Students are being brushed aside by UCD, who spend more money on luxury flights than mental health services.
We need to fight fight fight. If they won't listen to us, we need to make their lives hell and force them to listen. Throughout my manifesto I have repeated the same values. Students deserve to be treated with fairness, and if UCD won't do that, we as a Union need to take immediate, effective, and sustained action. If elected, I promise you this will happen. The students need a Union that will consistently fight hard for them.
Swipe to see a baby Leighton (17 years old) campaigning for better mental health services. I have been at this for a LONG time.
Tldr; the lack of mental health provisions in UCD is s**t. The Union need to be a loud voice and consistently but pressure where it hurts on UCD. We deserve better.
Did you know that if you are a trans student in UCD, you can change your name in the UCD system without any legal documents? I did it and it took me 5 mins in the Tierney building!
I think it's really important to have a C&E Officer who regularly stands up and speaks out for human rights. Below is a video of a speech I made regarding the Gender Recognition Act, which excludes non binary people and trans kids under the age of 16.
A full transcript is also below!
I wish I didn't have to stand here, in front of this government, and continously ask for basic human rights. Some people may ask why this is so important, that it seems trivial. I do not know how to explain to you what it feels like to misidentify yourself on every document you're faced with. It's dehumanising, controlling, and degrading.
There is absolutely no reason for non binary people, intersex people, and trans children under the age of 16 to be left behind in the review of this act, but that is exactly what has happened. There is no reason to purposely disallow thousands from the right to self identify, other than blatant ignorance and transphobia. I shouldn't have to stand here, my identity is not a debate. I'm constantly having to prove and explain myself, but I shouldn't have to. How do you explain the very essence of your being to someone who will never understand it, because that is not their experience. You do not need to understand someones identity to respect them. I have no idea what it's like to be a cisgendered heterosexual male, and I never will, but imagine the confusion that would arise if I probed straight cis men the way that family, medical professionals, government and complete strangers have questioned me. It's unacceptable. I am not an object on display for you to discuss.
The government has a duty to listen to and guide its people. But they seem to be afraid. Afraid of people who break the binary, which is in fact found in science frequently. Afraid of kids thinking for themselves and deciding who they are and what they see fit for themselves. I wish that when I was 16 years old, 10 years old, 5 years old, that I knew what being trans non binary was. There is an ongoing rhetoric that we are going to confuse children, but let me tell you, no one was more confused than 5, 10, 16 year old Leighton who was trying so damn hard to fit into the gender binary, to be straight. Years of my life wasted on something that wasn't true to me, because I didn't know anything else. I cannot explain the euphoria and relief of finding out that there is something else. There was nothing wrong with me for not liking dolls as a kid, or for never fitting in with the boys or girls, or for liking makeup but also liking being masc, for feeling that the label of boy or girl wasn't right. Children need guidance and care. They do not need to be shamed and hidden away. No child should have to bury themselves like I did. This revised act does not care for trans kids, non binary people and intersex people. It attempts to hide us away but we have proven time and time again throughout history that we're not going anywhere. Being your authentic self is a revolutionary political act. It shouldn't have to be, but it is. And it is one of the most beautiful revolutionary political acts.
We need to come together, community and government, and present a proposal to create real and immediate change. We need to care for our community and demand the government cares for its people.
Allowing people to self identify will harm no one. How many lives have to be threatened, lost, and lived in obscurity because people bury LGBTQ lives under the ground. Allowing people to self identify is another step forward to a just society. And if this bothers you, government or society, what the hell are you afraid of?
20/03/2020
Today we're focusing on rent campaigns ✊ if you haven't heard, Deeks called our protests regarding on campus rent increases 'emotional'. I dont know about you, but I think we are right to be emotional! Students are over paying to be in s**t digs, couch surfing, commuting for 3+ hours, sleeping in the airport and the streets to stay in college. This is frankly not good enough.
The SU were excluded from a meeting that decided the rents were to go up. I say we've had ENOUGH. If the university are so quick so exclude it, then we need to be quick to make ourselves heard. Physical protests need to be bigger, better and more effective. This can be done with allowing students into the planning process and keeping students updated rather than most work happening behind closed doors. The importance of accessible action needs to be emphasised. Workshops, online campaigns to educate on the situation and people's rights, and petitions are what keep the pressure on when the protest ends.
Tl:dr the rent situation on campus is horrific. The university isn't on our side and we need to acknowledge this and act appropriately.
19/03/2020
From chatting to students, these seem to be the biggest campaigns we are concerned about. Manifestos have a word count (sadly), so over the next few days I will make a dedicated post for each of these campaigns and tell you more of my plans ✊
Are these the issues you're worried about? If you have any question, comments, or suggestions, send me a DM 😎
18/03/2020
Due to the current health crisis, a lot of us have been plunged into the world's that disabled people, people living in Direct Provision, asylum seekers, and many more face everyday. There are injustices happening when we are confined to certain spaces. But, we can still make a difference from home.
My last post mentioned accessible action. Protests are so important, but not everyone can attend them for various reasons. Starting, signing and sharing petitions, starting and sharing fundraisers, getting in touch with those at risk and their action groups, creating content to guide further action, organising and facilitating workshops, creating letter and email templates. All of these are vital to maximise the efforts of the students. Instead of focusing almost solely on physical protests, I want the SU to make sure that our actions are accessible. To make sure that all voices are heard. To empower every student to make a difference no matter their circumstances. To make sure the pressure we put on the university doesn't fade away after physical protests.
Tldr; activism is for everyone and everyone has the right to be involved. I will make sure that this happens in the SU next year.
17/03/2020
Hello hello hello 💕
Thank you all for the follow! Over the course of today and tomorrow I will post my manifesto, and then make more posts elaborating on these points.
Any questions, feel free to get in touch.
17/03/2020
Heyis! I am delirah to announce that I am running for Campaigns and Engagement Officer in UCDSU! Whilst the Covid 19 situation has left everything up in the air regarding elections (stay home, safe, and wash your hands!) we can still take this time to acquaint ourselves. You can find me on all platforms, and I will be sharing some serious manifesto points and some tik toks I made when I've been bored rigid over the coming weeks.
Chat to ye soon!
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