Barney Young

0 Whilst the Ancient World has no shortage of queer figures, Sappho of Lesbos stands out in her role as a queer woman. Of course, Sappho’s queerness plays an important role in how she has been remembered, however her fame as a female writer of any sexuality is remarkable. Sappho’s primary output was love poetry, often directed towards women. Her imagery still resounds today, being the first to describe things as ‘bitter-sweet’ or feeling ‘lovesick’.

0 The Enchanted Garden Ball: the university’s Bridgerton-style fairytale where all the Exeter ton, dressed to the nines, gather for a magical evening of fairground rides, music, wine, and food. Or so they say. My experience in 2023 entailed never-ending queues for the merry-go-round, refused entry to the silent disco because it was ‘full,’ an empty bar, and expensive food trucks.

0 In March, the political landscape of the UK was shaken by revelations of deeply troubling remarks made by Frank Hester, one of the Conservative Party’s biggest donors, targeting Diane Abbott, the longest-serving black MP in Britain. Hester is reported to have said the MP made him want “to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot”. The comments undeniably paint a distressing picture of racial prejudice and misogyny.