Queer and Trans Joy and Euphoria as Resistance:
A creative writing and art competition
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, bi+, transgender, non-binary, queer, questioning, asexual, agender, and otherwise gender and/or sexuality diverse (henceforth referred interchangeably as queer and trans, or LGBTQ+) individuals experience immense joy and euphoria from celebrating their gender and/or sexuality diversity. For many queer and trans individuals, this joy and euphoria is amplified by diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, and family and friendship contexts. Showcasing this reality is critical for hitting back at traditional narratives of queer and trans experiences revolving around surviving dysphoric adversity, and for promoting and strengthening the positive mental health and wellbeing of our rainbow communities.

In response to this, a creative writing and art competition, led by University of Sydney Students, aims to platform and celebrate queer and trans joy and euphoria! 🌈✨
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Competition details:

Students are invited to submit an art piece in any medium, including written, digital, physical or performance. You may wish to submit a short story, poem, animation, drawing, painting, short video, social media post, collage, scrapbook excerpt, zine excerpt  – whatever your rainbow heart desires, the opportunities are endless! While this competition is technically termed a ‘creative writing and art competition’, if there is a creative medium which you are inclined toward that doesn’t fit neatly within this box, we encourage you to pursue this. You can also email project lead Tara Guckel to confirm eligibility if you are feeling unsure.

The competition is open to all current University of Sydney Students – LGBTQ+ identifying students, as well as our LGBTQ+ allies who may not identify as LGBTQ+ themselves. All students – undergraduate, postgraduate, domestic, international – across all campuses are encouraged to participate in this competition. Students from diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to enter, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with neurodivergence, students with culturally diverse gender identities, non-binary students, international students: we are very excited and humble to be privy to a peek into everyone’s joy and euphoria!

How to enter:

Competition entries are to be submitted via the entry form.

Entries close on Monday 24th July 2023 at 5pm.
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Judging and prizes:

Entries will be judged on their creativity and originality, relevance to the theme, and overall effect and impact. There will be 4  prizes up for grabs including:
•    1 x $250 Judges choice
•    1 x $250 People’s choice
•    1 x $50 Judges choice
•    1 x $50 People’s choice

Additionally, the competition winners will be published in the Sydney Arts Student Society’s Diverse Sex and Genders Journal, 1978. Full competition terms and conditions can be found here.

Award and celebration night:

Winners of the competition will be announced at an award and celebration night on Friday, 11th of August at Hermann’s Bar. Along with being an award night this will also be an opportunity to party and celebrate queer and trans joy and euphoria. Everyone is welcome to attend this night, regardless of whether they entered the competition or not (so long as you are a rainbow comrade). Catering will be provided at the event, with the option of also purchasing your own drinks (alcoholic and non- alcoholic).

Want to know when RSVPs are open for the award night? Be sure to sign up to be the first to know!

Invite me to the award night!

Email Event Organiser: studentlife.office@sydney.edu.au
This project has been funded by the Student Life Grants Program from the Office of Student Life. Learn more about applying for a Student Life Grant.