LGBTQ+ history month is an opportunity to recognise, celebrate and learn from the experiences of queer people. We are ‘given’ the 28 (or 29) days of February to study the works of Alan Turing and Oscar Wilde, but take little time to share our own queer experiences and history. There is so much to learn and appreciate in our own lives, and in our local community; there is also much to recognise and to heal from. To this end, this interview is a little different from others in the Paper. The ten questions that comprise this interview are answered by ten different students, in an attempt to capture the queer student experience in Sheffield to reflect upon for years to come!

How have you been able to explore your own identity as a queer student? Do you have any advice for new students moving to Sheffield?

As students we have LGBTQ+ groups and affiliated groups which have allowed me to connect with people who also identify as LGBTQ+. This has given me a sense of community in every way, including being able to meet people that I can relate to, people who are so different from me who help me learn more about my community and feel that I am okay being who I am. Being in Sheffield has added to this as you can see so many people, who may not be directly in our community, helping support the wider community and making us feel as welcome as possible. My advice to new students moving to Sheffield is to get stuck in, try all of the new things; meet as many people as you have capacity for, and you may find yourself with friends that you adore – life-long friends.

Do you feel as though you have learned more about yourself and your identity since becoming a student?

Since becoming a student and living away from home, I’ve had the opportunity to explore my identity in ways I hadn’t before. The independence has allowed me to experiment more freely with how I present myself, helping me feel more comfortable as myself. This has positively impacted the relationships I’ve built at university. Not only has university provided a space to meet people who are open and receptive, but by being more authentically myself, the connections I form with them have felt deeper and more genuine. I have been able to create a place where I feel safe to experiment with my identity and learn more about who I am.

Have your identity and experiences influenced the direction of your studies or vice versa?

I often feel the effects of imposter syndrome as a nonbinary lesbian in University. In the past, I have wanted to study more ‘analytical’ and ‘masculine’ subjects, as a way to seem respectable and like a ‘real’ Academic. Thus I often feel inferior or shameful when I have passion for topics that relate to my identity whether it be queer perspectives on sex, gender politics or disability ethics. As someone with a controversial identity even in the LGBTQ+ community, I worry about my place in spaces I belong to. For example, in my Feminism (Philosophy) module, which is a clearly gendered discussion, it feels awkward to give input because I am not a woman, even though I experience the negative effects of patriarchy. I am incapable of separating my identity from my education as they always interact somehow. 

Do you think the queer student experience in Sheffield has changed since you first moved here? 

When I first moved to Sheffield I was genuinely terrified that I would find no other queer people. It sounds silly now, but the Sheffield queer scene is to an extent a) small and b) underground that I just didn’t see where I’d fit in. Since arriving and living here for over a year, I figured this is not the case. There’s a lot of queer people here and as I’ve realised this my experience has definitely changed. Juno Books, Gut Level, Sapphic Soc and countless other (often overlooked) community organisations are in Sheffield. And there’s demand for them – we want community, we want to meet each other and we want to organise. 

I see it as somewhat of a duty for queer students to queer Sheffield just that little bit more before they leave. It can be a cumulative effect. There’s definitely more to be added to the queer student experience. We need more safe spaces, more sober spaces, a bigger more radical pride event and more opportunity for us to congregate. Despite this, I think the future of Sheffield’s queer scene is bright, as is the student experience. We may not be like Manchester or Leeds, let alone London but I think that’s truly the magic of it.

What do you hope the experience of queer students is like in the coming years? How does this differ from your own?

Although I have found it quite easy to find community with other queer people in Sheffield, I hope in years to come there will be more spaces and groups for queer people to meet each other. Especially when it comes to queer nightlife in Sheffield, since it’s pretty non-existent. I’d also like to see more community spaces and projects for queer people throughout the city, for those who don’t like clubbing! But for the most part, I have felt accepted as a queer person in Sheffield and I hope that future students can feel the same way.

As a student, how have you found and built community since moving to Sheffield?

The queer scene in Sheffield is vibrant, intersectional and thriving. You only need to set foot in a change-making space and there will be queer people there to welcome you. Finding community for me personally, started with my first year queer flat, and a group chat made up of queer people in first year, to share news and events, and to meet new people. From there the queer networking was almost effortless. We are so lucky to have so many grassroots queer groups and spaces in Sheffield, and most of these are mostly made up of students. There are many spaces, such as the LGBTQ+ lounge in the Students’ Union, which are great for meeting people and facilitating community. Community-building for me started within university life, then expanded out into the wider Sheffield community.

How have you become involved with the wider community of Sheffield, and how have connections with other residents impacted you?

I love Sheffield, so coming to uni, I wanted to get to know people who I hadn’t just met on my course or in a society. I did a lot of volunteering in my first year, and got to know some really lovely people across the city! Now I’m going steady with the Sheffield General Cemetery. I’m there at least twice a month, behind the bar. I’ve made genuine friendships there, all with people over fifty. Some people find that really surprising, but they’re the most supportive people I know. Some of the most productive conversations I’ve had about identity have been there. Retired people have a lot figured out, and I’ve accepted that I don’t. That’s why having friends from the wider community is important! They make me feel more grounded!

How have you interacted with the green spaces in and around Sheffield, and how has this helped you during your studies?

I’ve struggled with stress and overwhelm my entire education, and have always retreated to outdoor spaces. When I moved to Sheffield two years ago, I was worried that I wouldn’t find any quiet spots to sit in nature and regain some perspective on my worries. I was wrong – Sheffield is such a green city! The Peak District has become a refuge for me, and day trips to Bakewell and Buxton with friends are such a source of joy. The winding bus route to Castleton, and the restorative power of a pint after a long hike are easily romanticised when stuck in tedious lectures! Last year I lived near the Botanical Gardens, and although I usually only passed through on my way to Big Tesco, the care and attention in its planting, and the intrigue of the glasshouses and Bear Pit made me feel as though uni was a hundred miles away. I’ve found that even a few minutes in any of Sheffield’s parks and green spaces can cure many ills, and I’m all the happier for it!

What do you think of the queer spaces in Sheffield, and do you have any recommendations for others? 

On campus, my biggest recommendation would be every Drag Society event! They all feel so safe and are almost always in the Raynor Lounge in the Students’ Union, so they’re budget-friendly for people who want to grab a drink! The performers and organisers are also super welcoming. I’m a big fan of Gut Level on Chapel Walk. I would definitely recommend keeping an eye out on their Instagram page for any events that look interesting to you! They also have a mailing list with all of their events! Once again it is just such a safe space, it literally feels like you’re in a queer family member’s living room. Also, shoutout to the all-gender toilets.

Finally, how have you found joy (queer and otherwise) whilst living in Sheffield?

Joining societies and going to LGBTQ+ events have both been key sources of queer joy for me since moving to Sheffield. Community is so important, especially with the current political climate, and it makes me so happy to have spaces where I can discuss these topics, but also escape them for a while when things feel overwhelming. Drag shows, sapphic karaoke, queer quiz nights – whatever the activity, seeing how vibrant and inclusive the queer student community is never fails to bring me joy. I was so worried about making friends before coming to uni, but being in LGBTQ+ accommodation and signing up for different events has helped me feel a sense of belonging that I’m so grateful for.

Thank you so much to all those who contributed to the project, I hope it’s a fitting tribute to you all! I’m so proud to be here in Sheffield, it’s somewhere that feels so easy to call ‘home’. This piece has taken so long to put together, but I think LGBTQ+ History Month is beginning to feel the same every year, so I thought it was time to do something special, and hopefully something lasting. Queer students are part of what makes the city great!