Forget Valentines Day, 2016 at LUU is all about Galentines Day. Taking inspiration from Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope, LUU’s Women’s Liberation Coordinators have organised an empowering weekend alternative to the standard saccharine holiday.
Running on Saturday the 13th from 11am-5pm, Galentines Day promises to be an event to remember. The organisers have collaborated with societies ranging from ISOC to Rethinkers to Thai Boxing, and have even managed to get LUU’s Exec involved and talking about relevant issues.
Ones to watch out for:
Mine, 12.00pm: Belly Dancing
Room 2, 12.30pm: Fierce Babe Network –
Ending Girl Hate
Room 6, 14.00pm: Islam and Women: A discussion with ISOC
Room 6, 16.00pm: Debate – Feminism isn’t about man hating
Whether you want to get active, get political or get a chance to listen, Galentines day offers a wide choice. With events such as Sex Positivity Workshops, Consent 101, and Pole Dancing open to attend.
Despite its girl-centric name, Galentines day is open to everyone of any gender, as long as they are open-minded and respectful of the nature of the event. Entrance is pay as you feel, so no one has to make any financial commitments (probably a relief to those of you already in your overdrafts), but all the money donated will go towards Leeds based charities SARSVL (Support Against Rape and Sexual Violence) and Angel of Youths.
Speaking to The Gryphon, Emma Healey, an organiser of the event, said: “I genuinely believe that there is something for everyone to enjoy, and it’s a great cause. I think we all need to take a little bit of time to celebrate each other and I personally guarantee you will leave the event feeling just a bit better about the world. We are going to discuss some tough topics, but all of it is done in such an empowering way.”
So grab your gals (and your guys) and make your way over to the union this Saturday. Galentines day promises to be an informative, inclusive and exciting affair that will challenge you in many ways – and who could say Knope to that?
Avigail Kohn
Image credit: http://www.sportsalcohol.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/february-desktop1.png