LGBT Row
OUSU's LGBT handbook will not be available at OUSU Freshers' Fair. The managing director of Nuffield Press, Peter Kennerley, refused to print copies of the welfare publication for students who want to know more about homosexuality, bisexuality or trans-gender issues.
All the students involved with its production are outraged. Steph Gray, OUSU's vice president for finance and the handbook's publisher, condemned Nuffield Press as "very unprofessional", while Tony Lord, vice-president for welfare, was visibly distressed by such "bigotry" and "homophobia".
Gray chose it because the area manager Ian Bartlett "gave a very good quote and a fast turnaround". However, Gray described him as "very apologetic" when he called to say that the handbook was unacceptable. Initially, Nuffield Press had been happy to accept the job. It was only after Gray had sent back proofs for correcting that he was informed of a problem. Nuffield Press failed to give any details, but simply said that they did not want to go through with the printing.
Notice of this was given just two weeks ago, which was "very disappointing" according to Ruth Hunt, St Hilda's JCR President, who edited the handbook. She added that "welfare will be damaged" now the finished handbook will not be ready until second or third week. Ruth Hunt refuted the notion that there was anything offensive about the handbook. It covers everything from coming out to dealing with rape. She defended articles on sexual techniques by saying they were "less explicit than FHM magazine", and that "you can't write a guide about homosexuality without writing about sex". But she claimed that it was her very own feminine touch had led to the guide being less graphic than the previous edition. "The emphasis is on safe sex and not being pressured into sexual encounters."
Nuffield Press clearly disagreed. Area manager Ian Bartlett refused to comment. The managing director Peter Kennerley failed to respond to numerous Oxford Student messages, and his secretary became abusive and slammed down the phone. "You lot are almost as rude as the Cherwell," she remarked.
In reaction to this, Tony Lord promised that "Queer Rights Committee will be expressing their disappointment." Steph Gray has vowed that they will be never use Nuffield Press again, while Ruth Hunt feared that Kennerley's decision "says a lot about society as a whole."
5th Oct 2000