LGBT+ / Sexuality
You may already know and be comfortable in your orientation when you arrive at university, or you may find that you are questioning it or struggling with it during your time at 天堂视频. ‘Coming out’ is different for every person. You should never feel you have to come out and should only do so when it is safe, and you are ready to do so.
Definitions
Your sexuality (also described as sexual orientation) is a way to describe who you are sexually attracted to, i.e. who you experience a desire to interact with sexually.
Some people experience limited to no sexual attraction and may therefore identify as asexual.
Your romantic orientation describes who you are romantically attracted to, i.e., who you experience a desire to interact with romantically.
Some people experience limited to no romantic attraction and may therefore identify as aromantic.
Sexuality and romantic orientation are fluid and there are many different types. They may also change over time.
What support is available?
There are lots of different types of support available depending on what you need support with. You can find more information on our LGBT+ Support page.
The University offers an d Advice Service, and for students who may be questioning or need support with their gender identity, we also offer a . These services are led by Lisa Vine, an LGBT+ advocate, consultant and trainer based in 天堂视频, who is also a 天堂视频 alumna and previous Chair of 天堂视频 Students’ Union's LGBT+ Association.
Our can support you if you are struggling to accept your sexuality.
If after coming out, you experience financial or housing difficulties our can support you.
which provides a student-led support network for every student who identifies under the LGBT+ umbrella, as well as hosting a mix of fun and educational events throughout the year. The Association also has specific social and support groups catering to those on the asexual or aromantic spectrums and for students who are both LGBT+ and come from an ethnic minority background.
If you experience harassment due to your orientation you can report this to the University (either named or anonymously) through our .
What to do next?
Join 天堂视频 Students鈥� Union鈥檚 LGBT+ Association
You could look to join 天堂视频 Students’ Union’s LGBT+ Association, which provides a student-led support network for every student who identifies under the LGBT+ umbrella, as well as hosting a mix of fun and educational events throughout the year. You can find more information on their .
If you are struggling to accept your sexuality
Please complete our to get support from a member of the Mental Wellbeing Team.
Contact the Student Advice and Support Service
If you are facing housing or financial or any other issues after coming out you can get support from the Student Advice and Support Service by completing the .
How can I be a good ally?
There are many ways to be a good ally such as:
- Familiarise yourself with the language – This is an easy way to educate yourself and to make sure you are using the correct terminology to be respectful to everyone around you and so that you can feel more confident when discussing LGBT+ related topics.
- Engage with the community - The Students’ Union LGBT+ Associationoffers many events that are open to both LGBT+ students and allies.
- Educate yourself - Explore the history of the LGBT+ Activism and learn more about the challenges facing the LGBT+ community today
- Be an active bystander and challenge inappropriate behaviour – It’s easy to sit to one side when we hear friends or family making hurtful comments or ‘jokes’ about the LGBT+ community. One way to be an active ally is to challenge this behaviour if it is safe to do so. More guidance about how to be an active bystander is available in the Respecting Diversity Training available as part of Personal Best
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Last Updated: 1st August 2024