Frequently asked questions
If your question isn’t answered below, e-mail the secretary. If your question is asked often enough or is otherwise outstanding, we’ll include it in the list.
| What does “Ganymedes” mean? | Ganymedes is a Greek mythological figure. According to Greek mythology, Ganymedes was a hot, young guy who was abducted by Zeus (in the form of an eagle at the time) who flew Ganymedes to be the cupbearer to the gods and to serve other glamorous purposes… ;) During the second meeting, during which the association was offically founded, there was a vote to decide on the name of the association and “Ganymedes” was selected. |
| Why should anyone join Ganymedes instead of any other student association? | This is not the intention! Ganymedes is not a fraternity (like Vindicat, Cleopatra etc, etc). Ganymedes makes no demands on the time of its members. We organise one or two activities per week and members (and non-members) are welcome to come to the activities they like and skip the ones they don’t. It should be possible to be a member of Ganymedes at the same time as being a member of one of the student fraternities. Ganymedes is actually modelled on the style of the LGBT student associations found in England where the student fraternities that they have in the Netherlands and America are actually rare or non-existent. |
| Why are you trying to separate lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender students from straight students? |
We’re not! One of our objectives is to promote acceptance of LGBT students (and LGBT people in general). Straight students are always welcome at our events and indeed there are almost always at least a couple present. |
| Can straight students come to Ganymedes events or even become members? | Yes! Ever since the very first meeting (during which Ganymedes was founded), there have been straight students present at almost all events. Whether you are gay, straight, uncertain, all or none of the above, you are welcome to our events. |
| What are the objectives of Ganymedes? | In short, Ganymedes exists to: (a) provide opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students to meet each other and socialise in a safe environment; (b) represent the views of LGBT students to relevant bodies; (c) raise mutual awareness and understanding between LGBT students and other the denizens of Groningen and (d) to promote the equal treatment of and rights for LGBT people in society more generally. |
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