Name: Taye Sean Tharris
Course: BSc (Hons) Computer Science
Year: 1st Year
What made you choose to join the AberGays Society?
I'd always been around Abertay since November last year, and the Abergays was the first contact I had to Abertay's students- I wanted to join because it was an inclusive space for queer people, which catered for me long before I was even a student! On my second visit to Dundee, I met with a couple of the members who were wonderful and gave me a lot of confidence surrounding Abertay as a whole.
How does the Abergays make a safe and inclusive space for it's members?
For me, the Abergays has always been there to go above and beyond for it's members. I joined the Abergays because of how it's members went above and beyond for me, and I think that helps create a safe and inclusive space for it's members- always having people looking out for each other.
If you could have a conversation with a famous LGBT+ activist, living or deceased, who would it be and what would you talk about?
I'd love to talk to the people involved in the Stonewall Riots. They are people who's history's name overlooks, and were otherwise just regular, but were so fundamental in the Gay Rights movement, and the pattern of repression, I'd love to see their thoughts.
Looking to the upcoming academic year, what are the goals and aspirations of the AberGays society? Are there any specific campaigns, initiatives or policy changes that the society aims to pursue?
The society itself looks to become more pro-active as a whole, events both locally and further afield. I know for me personally I'd love to see it become a greater hub for information, resources, etc. It's my opinion that generally, being queer is becoming slowly more accepted and that people are coming to university already more openly queer, whereas beforehand people generally needed more community to help break out their shell. I'd love to see what role the society can play in people's queer journeys with this change in mind.
If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future, and why?
I would love to time travel back in time, to my home town of Bolsover, and see the world which came to form the place I once called home. It was an ex-mining town, so it was extremely working class, I'd love to see how people found their sense of community. Perhaps selfishly, I'd love to see myself grow up too! it would give me a lot of answers to who I am today.
What's your favourite board game or video game, and what makes it so enjoyable for you?
Undertale and Deltarune- fascinating story, amazing characters (with brilliant queer representation)- I seem to be able to find a new way to play them everytime.
What's your favourite cheesy joke or pun?
Sadly all my cheesy jokes aren't that grate.
