Students are livid over QUB pro-life society being nominated for an SU award

The Pro-life Society of Queen’s University Belfast has angered students after its nomination for “Activism of the Year” award in the SU awards this year.

This came after the society posted on Facebook a picture announcing their nomination, saying “We are obviously counter-cultural to our SU and have experienced our (un)fair share of abuse and threats throughout the past 12 months — which will make it even more satisfying to have a pro-life presence there on the night.”

One comment on this post read: “Take back my degree I no longer want it.”

Another distressed commenter said, “this is absolutely horrific” under the post. Among this, however, many were congratulating the society on their nomination.

The SU awards, which are due to be held on 19th March in Whitla Hall, have shortlisted the society to win Activism of the Year, the confusion has arisen because the student union has made their pro-choice view very clear, putting into question who decides on nominations and ultimately who decides who wins.

One QUB told The Belfast Tab: “I personally see it as an absolute disgrace for the SU to be rewarding such an outdated and damaging viewpoint. The SU has a firm pro-choice stance which has been adopted following voting from student Council members who have been elected to represent the issues that matter most to students. In shortlisting the pro-life society they are letting down any staff member or student who may have needed the very basic healthcare procedure that is abortion. It furthers stigma, puts blame on women and pregnant people and is a massive step backwards for reproductive rights.”

QUB pro-life society have not responded to requests for comment.