In August 2024, Western Sydney University students grew increasingly concerned about repeated incidents of vandalism causing disturbances in Hawkesbury and Campbelltown campuses’ Queer Rooms.
The Queer Collective maintains a Queer Room on every campus, providing a safe space for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, or any other sex or gender diverse identity to relax in an accepting and inclusive environment.
Western’s Queer Collective Secretary Ella de Rooy said the distressing incident impacted Western’s LGBTQIA+ student community.
A Safe Space Targeted
“Some people started writing in the Queer room,” Ella de Rooy explained. “Our campus has lots of whiteboards, and we provide markers for people to use. Normally, students leave lovely art and positive messages to help the space feel more lived-in and welcoming.”
The space, originally meant for creative self-expression with whiteboards, became a site of distress after repeated incidents of vandalism.
However, the atmosphere shifted in July 2024 when individuals began writing homophobic and transphobic remarks on the whiteboards.
“Someone took the whiteboard markers and wrote very nasty messages,” de Rooy said. “It happened multiple times, escalating into a major incident where messages were written throughout the day. They even printed out hate speech and stuck it up all over our common space.”
The messages quickly became more disturbing.
Individuals wrote inappropriate and offensive messages, drew hateful imagery targeting the LGBTQIA+ community, and even hung a small doll in what appeared to be an act of intimidation. What was once a safe and welcoming space turned into an environment of fear and discomfort for students.
“There were references to suicide,” de Rooy recounted. “They staged the hanging of a plush item we had in the room. That was especially difficult to see. It made me feel unsafe on campus- we deserve to feel safe.”
University Response and Collective Action
The Queer Collective used the University’s complaints resolution procedures to report these incidents.
“The complaint was sustained, meaning the people responsible did face consequences,” de Rooy confirmed. “But we don’t know exactly what those consequences were. While we were relieved there was action, it didn’t feel proportional to the harm caused.”
“As a temporary measure, the University increased security around the Queer Collective rooms, requiring keycard access. While intended for safety, this approach came with its own challenges. We appreciate the security, but many people are still uncomfortable having their access tracked,” de Rooy noted. “Some students aren’t out yet, and they don’t want to risk being outed by needing special access.”
The challenges have not deterred de Rooy from the collective’s mission to establish LGBTQIA+ friendly conditions at Western.
A Call for Respect and Inclusivity
“We have the right to free speech on campus, but this was not an appropriate way to express disagreement,” de Rooy said. “It made people feel unsafe, and there are real consequences for this kind of behaviour.”
She encouraged students to get involved in collectives, clubs, and societies. According to her, supporting one another will make everyone stronger and kinder.
“I joined the Queer Collective as Secretary during this troubling time because I wanted to help create a safer space for queer students,” de Rooy said. “I encourage everyone to get involved in collectives, they’re a great way to find community and stand up for issues that matter.”
Despite the challenges, de Rooy remains hopeful for the future of inclusivity at Western.
“I want everyone at Western Sydney University to feel safe,” she said. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that others feel secure here. This university should be a place where we can share our differences and respect one another.”
The Queer Collective moves forward in its mission while its members aim for these incidents to demonstrate the significance of community support and equality.
