Unicorn student club started its activities under the consultancy of Prof. Dr. Şenel Hüsnü Raman.

INTRODUCING UNICORN

The first LGBTI+ club of EMU has now been reactivated! It is likely to be the first of its kind in the north of Cyprus. EMU has a well-earned spot on the Times Higher Education list, so we know that it's publication record and teaching quality are high, but in addition to this, the fact that our university is embracing diversity is invaluable. Giving a voice to LGBTI+ students and all students who embrace diversity and inclusivity is critical.

The Unicorn Club was originally founded in 2019 by former Eastern Mediterranean University students, but as a newly established club, it was unable to keep enough members during the COVID-19 pandemic and had to close. The club was reactivated in February following an official application. Our board now consists of seven dedicated members: Gökçe Sarı, Mehmet Aslan, Zehranur Aras, Özüm Ak, Nurseli Erdem, Ramazan Kabakçıoğlu, and Lal Sezin Bingül. Further, the club currently has 106 members and continues to grow each day.

As a social psychologist trained in prejudice and prejudice reduction, I work closely with LGBTI+ NGOs on the island (such as Queer Cyprus Association) as to how we can tackle and reduce anti-LGBTI+ prejudice, therefore I know the value of having this club at EMU, for ALL of our students.

From a scientific perspective, let me tell you why this matters. In universities and schools that have such student inclusive clubs, known in the literature as Gay-Straight Alliances, LGBTI+ youth have much improved wellbeing and mental health, this includes lower suicide rates, less depression & lower anxiety as well as increased academic performance such as lower truancy, drop-out rates as well as higher GPAs. These clubs give students the message 'we care for you and your rights! We are right by you!' a message students of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations might not easily hear in their everyday lives.

GSAs are now framed within youth empowerment or positive youth development, that is ALL students (not just LGBTI+!) who participate in such clubs, report feeling empowered. Participation allows students to feel like they can contribute to increasing social justice by tackling inequality in schools and engaging in civic advocacy. This in turn functions to promote positive developmental outcomes such as improved mental health, academic achievement and growth of personal strengths & positive self-identities.

So, as the mentor of the club let me thank you EMU and my dearest students for the gift that is Unicorn. May it empower us all for a better, more inclusive future generation.

Prof. Dr. Şenel Hüsnü Raman

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