Hi, I’m Andrew, your LGBTQ rep, here to deal with all your Queer-ies (har-har). Coming to/out at university can be a daunting experience, but you’ll soon find that Exeter is one of the most friendly, accepting colleges in the university. Aided by it’s small size, we enjoy an unreserved, easygoing environment, and you certainly won’t experience any problems fitting or settling in. You’ll also find that Oxford in general is a very accommodating place for people of all sexual persuasions; sexuality is definitely not an issue.

Although perhaps not offering a scene the size or scope of bigger universities, Oxford still has an active LGBTQ Society which organises regular events. Every Tuesday they hold ‘Gay Drinks’ at various colleges. The venue changes most weeks, and is followed by Oxford’s most infamous gay night, Poptarts, at Babylove. At Exeter, we've begun a series of Tuesday drinks, providing a comfortable and convenient setting for our community to grow. These precede the university drinks and take place in the Morris Room.

For those of you who are a little more adventurous, there’s a gay night held at Coven on Friday nights, although this tends to be more town oriented. There are three gay pubs in Oxford – The Jolly Farmers, The Castle and The Brewery Gate, all of which are on or near the aptly named Paradise Street.

LGBTQ Soc is worth joining. For a £10 lifetime membership fee, you get reduced entry to both Poptarts and Coven II. Most people find they make their money back pretty quickly. They also publish a handy-dandy guide to LGBT life in Oxford, and have a mailing list and an active social itinerary. You can visit their website here: www.lgbsoc.com

That aside, if you have any questions or problems, I’m always around to talk (most specifically if it involves coffee) and give useless gobbets of information.

Welcome to Exeter and enjoy yourselves!

Andrew Miles
andrew.miles@exeter...