April Glynn-Roe
Preferred Name: April Glynn-Roe
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her & They/Them
Degree and year of study? 2025 is my third year at the University of Adelaide studying a Bachelor of International Relations with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History. I was previously studying the International Relations at another University until I decided to transfer to the University of Adelaide at the end of 2022.
What inspired you to engage with the office and role(s) you currently hold? I decided to put my name forward for the Queer Officer position because I wanted to step up and help create a far more inclusive environment at the University of Adelaide. I know what it's like to feel forgotten and disenfranchised and so particularly aim to place the viewpoints, experiences, and opinions of the LGBTQIA+ community on the front of the Agenda for YouX SRC over the coming year.
What Clubs are you involved with at UofA & what led you to join the club(s)?
I am an extraordinarily proud member of the University of Adelaide Pride Club and I intend to make an enormous effort to go to as many of its events as possible in 2025. I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of peer support that everyone in the Club has shown me in recent months, especially since I only came out as a Transgender Woman very recently. Before I decided to join and reach out to the Pride Club I was struggling badly in my personal journey and honestly I would likely have continued to do so had I not reached out and been able to access the supportive environment that the Club is able to provide – a safe space where everyone is free to just simply be themselves. If you are ever looking for help and/or ever have questions about your own gender identity I highly encourage you to reach out and join the amazing and supportive LGBTQIA+ community we have here on-campus. I honestly regret not reaching out sooner!
I was recently elected as a General Executive Member of the Politics and International Relations Association (PIRA) and have extensive experience over the years in being a member of a similar association at another university. I believe that it's absolutely imperative that students studying something like International Relations or Politics reach out and network with others due to the intense competitiveness for jobs that exists in these industries. Getting involved in PIRA and networking with others at events can significantly help in getting ahead of others in such a highly competitive job market.
Favourite holiday destination/activity?
I'm usually more of an introvert, but I do have a soft spot for the Yorke Peninsula as I always used to travel down there with my family when I was a child. Fishing, swimming, and just plain old relaxing in the morning breeze near the beach were my favourite activities to partake in; not to mention exploring and researching the history behind the Moonta Mines – which is where some of my ancestors used to work.
Favourite place to study on campus?
I absolutely adore studying and researching from the confines of the new Rainbow Room/ Dr George Duncan Memorial Lounge. Thanks to the redevelopment of Union House, the new home of the University of Adelaide Pride Club; the Dr Duncan Memorial Lounge (also known as the Rainbow Room), has recently become my favourite place to study, relax, and hang out with friends.
What do you hope to achieve in your office and role(s) in 2025?
In my campaign I talked about increasing LGBTQIA+ presence which I am hoping to achieve through a short educational campaign, potentially in tandem with commemorations that will occur in September due to 2025 marking 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South Australia. I am also planning to build the foundations of a hopefully permanent Committee that advises YouX and Student Council on LGBTQIA+ issues as a way of giving my increasingly disenfranchised community more of a voice in the affairs that affect us. At this point, I am hoping to utilise this group to argue for stronger protections against discriminatory speech on-campus as well as push for easier access to Gender Affirming Care.
What advice would you give to students starting out at the University of Adelaide?
I would advise new students to join one of the amazing Clubs and Associations we have here at the University in order to connect with like-minded individuals who may share a particular hobby or interest in common with you. The first few months of University can feel incredibly overwhelming and in many cases quite lonely; whilst some students might not feel the need to make new friends it becomes an absolute necessity on the long-term as what were once close tight-nit groups from school tend to eventually break- away from one another. I would also advise that new students to ask as many questions as they can to University lecturers and tutors and engage in as much debate as possible in order to challenge their personal viewpoints. It is through University that you will evolve into the person you will likely be for the remainder of your life and so it is absolutely imperative that you train your critical thinking skills; which in turn will become an essential tool in understanding how you will interact with the world in the coming years.