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 5pm onwards, typically in F201
We also provide a quiet space in F203, 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.
Some events we hold include (but are not limited to pumpkin carving), film screenings, game tournaments, murder mysteries, special nights at The Old Fire Station, and a variety of collaborations with other societies. We're always open to try out exciting new ideas, so if you have something you want us to try running, please do get in contact with us via email or our social medias!
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: Jasmine Ethylene (She/Her)
Hey gays and theys, I'm Jasmine and you have the ultimate pleasure of me being your president for an entire year. For those of you that are returning from last year we will still be having are weekly Wednesday session but we are also planning on shaking things up including but not limited to doing lots of new and fun events and adding an additional weekly session. I am a second year student studying Forensic Science so I know how to get away with certain "less than legal activates" (legal disclaimer: for legal reasons this is a joke) some of my hobbies include anime, gaming, baking and being a hot lesbian you know the standard gay activities. I hope to make Iris a place where everyone can feel like they belong and be there true self.
Stay sexy and sassy!
Communications Officer: March Marcal Whittles (He/Him)
Hi! My name is March and I'm your communications officer for this year :) I'm a 2nd year Archaeology and Anthropology student and in my free time I like playing music and spending too much money on CDs and records. I am proudly mentally bisexual like my idol Dennis Rodman and most importantly, I'm the #1 Lil Wayne fan of Bournemouth. Looking forward to communicating with everybody this year!!
Treasurer: Axl Duthie (He/She)
Hi everyone I'm Axl and I am stepping into the role of Iris Treasurer this academic year. I'll be overseeing our society's finances to make sure we can fund exciting events, equipment and resources that help strengthen our space. I am currently in my second year studying Forensic Science and enjoy music, fashion and anime in my own time. Iris has always been a great place for me to relax and meet new people through my time at BU so I am excited for this year's shenanigans... Looking forward to meeting and spending time with everyone :3 .
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