We celebrate and value the diversity of our staff and students and recognise that every individual brings an invaluable contribution to our community. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment and we encourage a culture where equality is promoted, diversity is valued and the rights and dignity of all are respected.
On this webpage you can explore: LGBTQI+ History Month, events, guides and training and resources such as podcasts, TV and film and arts and literature.
If you would like to join the LGBTQI+ staff network, email [email protected] to be added to the Microsoft Teams forum.
LGBTQI+ history timeline (UK)
Pre 1967 – same sex relationships were illegal
1967 – same sex relationships were no longer illegal
1969 – Stonewall riots in New York (USA)
1972 – First Pride festival
1988 – Section 28 introduced – a ban on ‘promoting’ homosexuality in schools
1992 – the WHO declassify homosexuality as a mental illness
2000 – LGB people were openly allowed in the UK Armed Forces
2001 – age of consent for same-sex relations lowered to 16
2002 – law changed to allow same sex couples to adopt children
2003 – Section 28 in England and Wales was overturned
2004 – civil partnerships introduced
2008 – it became illegal to encourage homophobic hatred
2013/14 – same-sex marriage legalised in England and Wales, then Scotland
2019 – the WHO declassifies transgender health issues as a mental illness
2020 – same-sex marriage legalised in Northern Ireland
2020 – primary schools will teach about different families
You can learn more about the LGBTQI+ acronym and more, by referring to the glossary of LGBTQI+ terms.
You can’t always know what someone’s gender pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them) are. Sharing your own pronouns and asking and correctly using someone else’s pronouns is one of the most basic ways you can show your respect. Including pronouns in email signatures and video calls can be a helpful way to avoid mistakes, such as misgendering someone. It can also be an effective tool for demonstrating your allyship both internally and externally.
We’re proud of our entire Edge Hill LGBTQI+ community and here are some of our students sharing their personal experiences.
1. Get to know the issues
Carry out your own research and take a genuine interest in the research of others. Find out and put forward ideas and suggestions on what you can do to help the University become a more inclusive workplace.
2. Be authentic
Ensure you are being yourself at work.
3. Be aware and confront your own biases
Ensure you are aware of your biases and address them. Biases can be overcome.
4. Ask for help
As an ally you are not expected to know everything – ask for help when needed.
5. Be visible
Make clear public statements about the importance of LGBTQI+ equality to you and your organisation.
6. Challenge inappropriate behaviours
Inappropriate comments and LGBTQI+ discrimination is harmful – don’t be a bystander. Always challenge.
7. Mentor and support
An individual’s sexual orientation is relevant to their work and learning experiences and understanding this will help you to help them to perform to their full potential.
8. Don’t make assumptions
Everyone’s experiences are different so ensure you don’t make assumptions regarding your LGBTQI+ colleagues.
9. Be a positive role model
Ensure your behaviours reflect your role as an ally.
10. Get involved
Proactively support the LGBTQI+ community. Attend organised events, watch webinars, listen to podcasts, read books, make full use of the online and on-campus resources, undertake relevant CPD, wear a rainbow lanyard and add your pronouns to your email signature. There are many ways you can get involved to demonstrate your solidarity.
Rainbow lanyards
We have invested in some rainbow coloured lanyards, so that colleagues (allies) can show their support and solidarity to the LGBTQI+ community. If you would like one, please contact [email protected].
Events
Pride Week
Edge Hill Students’ Union will celebrate Pride Week from 30 January – 3 February 2023. Here’s an overview of our events over the course of the week.
Monday 30 January – Crafternoon, Make a Pride Placard.
Wednesday 1 February – Pride Fair, 10am – 2pm. A variety of stalls hosted by local LGBTQ+ charities and organisations showcasing opportunities and support options for student. Followed by Pride Vigil, 2.30pm a remembrance for the lives lost to anti-LGBTQ+ violence and a celebration of queer joy.
Thursday 2 February – Queer Prom (students only).
Dates for your diary:
Inclusion calendar – this calendar can be integrated with your existing Microsoft Outlook diary. When it is installed you’ll be able to find out more information about each event by double clicking/tapping on any of the listings.
LGBTQI+ History Month
February was LGBTQI+ History Month and it provides an opportunity to focus on the history, struggles, and culture of the LGBTQI+ community. Below is a selection of events and resources that we hope you will find useful.
The 2022 theme for LGBT+ History Month is ‘The Arc is Long’, inspired by a Martin Luther King quote to signify that achieving equity and equality takes time, but we should celebrate moving towards fairness.
Trans day of visibility
Trans Day of Visibility Thursday 31 March
Definition of ‘trans’
(From Stonewall’s Glossary): An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.
Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, crossdresser, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman, trans masculine, trans feminine and neutrois.
Stonewall have shared a number of stories of LGBT people from across the world of work. Some speak of the change they’ve made at their workplace, some discuss the opportunities they’ve had as visible role models, and others explore the challenges they’ve faced along the way. You can read these stories on their website.
Stonewall have produced a video by documentary filmmaker Lily Vetch, which provides some insight into the experiences of the Hijra community in South Asia. Historically categorised as a third gender, the Hijra are socially excluded and kept on the extreme margins of society. This leaves them both extremely visible and eternally invisible. This short film is available to watch on YouTube. (4 mins)
Stonewall Young Futures is a new digital platform aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ young people by providing advice on education, training, skills, careers and work, as well as support with mental health, self-advocacy and homelessness.
Lesbian visibility week
Lesbian – refers to a woman who has a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards women. Some non-binary people may also identify with this term.
Lesbian Visibility Week runs from Monday 25 April to Sunday 1 May 2022. It was founded by Linda Riley, the Publisher, and CEO of Diva Magazine. In an article written for stonewall, Riley explains that,
“Since 2008, lesbians like me have been embracing the day of 26th April – Lesbian Visibility Day. It’s 24 hours where our community comes together to celebrate and commemorate the achievements of a group of people which has for so long been marginalised. Two years ago, I concluded that a single day for lesbian visibility was simply insufficient. We needed, and deserved, more time to shine a light on some of the amazing women in our community, and to celebrate who we are without fear of prejudice, harassment or vilification.”
Diva’s insight survey from 2021 has more information on the wider picture for LGBTQI women and non-binary people in the UK, and it is important to address this picture.
Outcome Islington Mind Celebrates Women for Lesbian Visibility Week
Outcome is a LGBTIQ+ specialist mental health service, based in North London. They are hosted a special online celebration event for Lesbian Visibility Week.
Beyond the Rainbow: For The Love Of Women
The Curve Foundation and the AHEAD OF THE CURVE film team announced a ground-breaking conversation series: Beyond the Rainbow, a six-part online community discussion series. For the Love of Women was the first Webinar of this series.
Resources to help you celebrate and raise awareness:
Watch this TikTok video with Ellie Medhurst, a lesbian fashion historian, on Lesbian fashion in the workplace.
Visit the Lesbian Hub on Stonewall’s website for further information.
Autistic Pride Day
Autistic Pride Day – 18th June 2022
This is an annual event run by autistic people themselves. Since its beginnings, Autistic Pride Day has been a community event and it is now a global celebration that takes place predominantly online. You can read some personal stories by visiting: autism.org.uk
Autistic Pride Day is represented by the rainbow infinity symbol.
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.
We want to ensure that our community has the necessary skills and knowledge around EDI. EDI training focuses on treating people fairly and appropriately – not just the same. Our training is designed to help learners understand how they can positively affect culture, communication and inclusion.
Pearn Kandola offers a range of free webinars that discuss a range of topics and offer practical steps individuals and organisations can take to support the LGBTQI+ community.
For staff – core Training for all new starters includes Diversity in the Workplace which is accessible to staff via the Online Learning Portal.
Toolkits are available as guidance on ways to promote a supportive and inclusive culture for all staff and students.
Podcasts, TV and film, art and literature and educational resources
Podcasts
Popular culture
Virgin Radio Pridecast – Alex Milsom and Shivani Dave look back at some exciting guests, jaw-dropping stories, and laugh out loud moments.
Homo Sapiens – Conversations, stories and a good old laugh with LGBTQ+ icons, and allies every Thursday.
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness – A weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye, Gay of Thrones) is curious about. Jonathan and experts get curious about anything and everything under the sun.
Dyking Out – Hosted by New York City-based comedians Carolyn Bergier and Melody Kamali, Dyking Out is a podcast about lesbian / queer life, news, and pop culture. Each week, Carolyn and Melody invite a special guest (comedians, musicians, actors, crushes) to dyke out with them about a topic that’s relevant to the LGBTQIA world.
A Gay and A NonGay – In a time where we’re all threatened by a rhetoric of hate from the people in power, A Gay And A NonGay challenges our differences. No matter who you are, or what you’re into, gay’s and nongay’s can and should be friends.
Nancy – Join Kathy Tu and Tobin Low for provocative stories and frank conversations about the LGBTQ experience today.
AfroQueer – AfroQueer is a podcast about Queer Africans living, loving, surviving and thriving on the African Continent and in the Diaspora.
Outward: Slate’s LGBTQ podcast – Hosts and guests deepen the audience’s understanding of queer culture and politics and invite listeners into a colourful conversation about the issues animating LGBTQ communities.
The Gays Are Revolting – A dissection of social and cultural issues relevant to gay men. Putting the G in LGBTQIA+
Adventures in Time and Gender – Contains a podcast following a young non-binary person travelling through time to discover gender diversity throughout history.
QUEERY with Cameron Esposito – QUEERY explores individual stories of identity, personality and the shifting cultural matrix around gender, sexuality and civil rights.
The Log Books – What if you could glimpse into LGBTQIA+ life from decades ago? Hosts Tash Walker and Adam Zmith explore untold stories from Britain’s queer history.
BBC Radio 4 – Archive on 4, Fifty Years of Pride – 2022 marks an important milestone for the UK’s LGBTQ+ community – 50 years of UK Pride. Damian Barr examines its impact on society and how it has helped bring about change
PeccadilloPOD – Peccadillo Pictures is an award-winning* UK film distributor of Art House, LGBTQ+ and International Cinema from with an impressive collection of films from across the world.
United in Anger: A history of Act Up – An inspiring documentary about the birth and life of the AIDS activist movement from the perspective of the people in the trenches fighting the epidemic. Utilizing oral histories of members of ACT UP, as well as rare archival footage, the film depicts the efforts of ACT UP as it battles corporate greed, social indifference, and government neglect.
We have created a reading list which includes our top picks on LGBTQI+ books.
LGBTQ+ Books & Films – We have invested in a range of LGBTQ+ books and films. You can also search and access eBooks and audio books via the Libby app for free by using your staff or student account
LGBT+ History | National Museums Liverpool – Delve into insightful interviews and opinion pieces inspired by NML’s rich collections and commitment to sharing the experiences of Liverpool’s long and diverse LGBT+ history.
LGBT History Month – National Portrait Gallery – The Gallery’s Archive LGBTQI programme provides a welcoming and inclusive space for audiences, encouraging debate, discussion, reflection, creativity, and expression.
‘Genders of the World’ – Flash cards that show that gender diversity has existed, and has been celebrated, throughout history.
The Proud Trust – Aimed at young students and could be a good resource for getting ideas going. It has some great templates for potential sessions on Pride/LGBTQI+ awareness among young people.
Coming Out in the University Workplace – This article explores the issue of workplace visibility and signs and symbols of LGBTQ+ identity in a UK university 2022.
An overview of experiences of LGBT communities, focusing on experiences in university and in employment.
Source: Trendence UK, 2019. Out & proud. A Deeper look into the life and experience LGBT+ people. London: Trendence UK.
Key findings
Only 38% of LGBT+ people at university and 42% in the workplace say their sexuality is public knowledge, as compared to 93% and 80% of non-LGBT+ people respectively. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic LGBT+ students are even less likely to make their sexuality public at university (30%).
LGBT+ students who are open about their sexuality are x1 .5 times more likely to report improved wellbeing (41% as compared to 27% who are not open).
LGBT+ people are 6% more likely to experience a decline in their wellbeing since starting university (37% as compared to 31% non-LGBT+). Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic LGBT+ students, students whose sexuality is not public knowledge and those who use drugs 2-3 times a week are most likely to report declining wellbeing.
Two in three LGBT+ students (64%) report experiencing discriminator y remarks, with one in two (56%) experiencing sexual harassment and a third experiencing sexual assault or hate crime. By comparison, non- LGBT+ students are x1.6 times less likely to report discriminatory remarks, x10.5 times less likely to experience hate crime and almost half as likely to report sexual assault and harassment.
LGBT+ students are x1 .7 times more likely to use drugs while at university (34% as compared to 20% of non-LGBT+), with over a third (39%) reporting worsening wellbeing. They are x1.4 times more likely to use drugs to cope with day-to-day activities and it’s more likely to become a ‘habit they can’t stop’ (2.6% as compared to 0.4%).
One in seven LGBT+ people report experiencing temporary homelessness (15%), with rates rising even higher for LGBT+ Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people (17%) and those eligible for free school meals (29%). LGBT+ people are also 9% less likely to live with their family/parents.
One in two of all young people responding felt that an inclusive and diverse environment at university and in the workplace was ‘important’. However, more LGBT+ students felt it was ‘very important’ (22%) as compared to non-LGBT+ (15%). Furthermore, LGBT+ students who placed an importance on inclusivity were x1.8 times more likely to report an improved wellbeing since starting university (48% as compared to 26% who didn’t place an importance).
LGBT+ young people are 35% more likely to report having depression than non- LGBT+ people. This may be linked to loneliness, social isolation and a lack of belonging, as LGBT+ people are 13% less likely to report being satisfied with their personal relationships.
LGBT+ students are 24% more likely to use mental health services and 18% less likely to use careers services at university than non-LGBT+ students. However, they are less likely to be satisfied with the mental health provision at universities (58% as compared to 76%), suggesting that their needs are not being met as well as those of non-LGBT+ students are.
Additional resources
Stonewall – Stonewall stand for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQI+) people everywhere. They imagine a world where all LGBTQI+ people are free to be ourselves and can live our lives to the full.
Terrence Higgins Trust – This charity is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. They support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, and help the people using our services to achieve good sexual health.
AKT is an LGBT homeless charity that also helps individuals who may also be living in hostile or abusive environments.
FFLAG is a charity that helps to support the friends and families of LGBTQ+ people in the UK. They have some great resources on how to be a trans ally.
