Why Join Us?

1) You want an LGBTQ+ friendly safe space to hang out and chill.    

2) You like social events and tabletop games

3) You're looking to meet other LGBTQ+ students at BU and AUB.

What do we do?

We are a social group for LGBTQ+ students at BU and AUB, with a focus on creating a chilled and friendly safe space, while using tools like boardgames and videogames to facillitate meeting new people without any pressure.

Membership for Iris LGBTQ+ is £2.50 for the whole year and allows you to come to all our weekly events.
Though some special events may be paid, we make an effort to keep things cheap and affordable whenever possible, and may subsidise prices when neccesary.

When and Where?

Weekly Social

Every week in term time, we hold a weekly social on campus. Usually for these people bring boardgames, videogames and snacks, as we meet to hang out through the evening. If boardgames aren't your thing, don't worry! We bring these largely to help icebreak, and help keep a low pressure environment.
For those who prefer drinking often members head to Dylans, the on campus bar when we pack up for the night around 8pm.

These take place Wednesdays, term time from 17:00-20:00, typically in F201

We also provide a quiet space in F202, in case the room gets too loud, overwhelming or people want an alternative space.

Online Hub

We host a hub online using Discord for LGBTQ+ students to hang out.
Non-members are welcome to join, so if you're considering buying a membership feel free to say hi to us online first!

Special Events

Our comittee aims to hold frequent special events to accommodate the diverse queer community studying at Bournemouth.

For 2025/26 we're planning to host a monthly book club and monthly film screenings. In addition, we're also looking forward to hosting game tournaments (both digital and physical), murder mysteries, pumpkin carvings and collaberating with many of the other wonderful societies.

We have also participated in the annual Queermas dinner at Flirt Cafe, taken members on a trip to London Pride, and helped run Bournemouth's Student Pride which happens every May.

Keep your eye on our socials as well as on the 'What's On' SUBU page for updates!

Our Committee

President: Alfie Head (He/They)

What up gang 🔥

I'm Alfie and i'll be your president for the year! I'm in my third year of Media Production and i'm criminally bi. Iris is incredibly important to me, having met so many incredible people through socials and events. I'm elated to be able to keep that ball rolling this year with the rest of the committee to make a community that everyone can feel included in. I'm big into anime and film so you can bet we'll have some GAY screenings in store. (And of course, a bunch of gay games for good measure.) I cannot wait to make some new memories with you all. See you there!!  🔥 🗣️

Communications Officer: Chenu Nallaperuma (He/they)

Hiyya gays, im Chenu, the nonbinary transmasc folk that'll be your society socials and secretary this year. I'm a second year in archeology and anthropology and iris game nights were without a doubt the highlight of my first year. the sense of community this society gave me specially with the current political climate we're in was ever so vital and its my aim to pass the favour forward and make sure you guys experience the same, and if not even a better, sense of companionship and community through this society. we, as a society would love to be a soft and safe place to land on in these troubling times and advocate for ourselves in these crucial times. i look forward to a lovely year w y'all my gay lil hatchlings!!

Treasurer: Ezra Taylor (They/He)

Hey, Queers. I’m Ezra Taylor and I have issues. I’m the treasurer for Iris this year and I’m a third year Television Production student. My “qualifications” are that I’m asexual and non-binary I’m a complete media nerd and I’m already thinking of a Halloween costume. Iris is how I’ve met my closest friends and I can’t wait to be able to be able to curate some amazing events for the society. We are delving into lots of new avenues for Iris and I hope we create a community you can all feel comfortable in!

Accessibility

As Committee, we're comitted to making sure Iris is an accessible space, for everyone, inclusive of disabilities and neurodiversities. For information on room acess, you can find the BU acessibility information here:

https://www.accessable.co.uk/bournemouth-university

The Fusion Building is our regular building, situated near the university car park and a short walk from the busses, in rooms that are wheelchair acessible and situated near to multiple acessible bathrooms. Both rooms are reachable by stairs, or just next to the lifts on the second floor. The quiet room has a wheelchair acessible desk, however the desks in the main room may be too low for some chairs. Please do be aware that these rooms may have relatively harsh lighting, and the doors are heavy and some may require assistance. Our main room may also be relatively loud during peak times, but aswell as a quiet space, the building is usually empty at these time, and has lots of comfy seating directly outside the rooms. Doors to enter the building are electronic and should be openable with a button. There is one Gender Neutral bathroom on the ground floor, aswell as the neutral acessible bathrooms on the floor we use.

We also try to keep our events low cost at every possible opportunity, including most of them in our membership fee, or covering with grants. If money is ever an issue, please do let us know and also look into the clubs and society's hardship fund which may be able to help you out: 

https://www.subu.org.uk/involved/clubs_societies/hardshipfund/

When we are away from our usual building we will try our best to provide access information ahead of time where possible, and if you have any questions, concerns or feedback, please don't be afraid to contact us at our email subuirissoc@bournemouth.ac.uk