International Transgender Day of Visibility
International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event occurring on 31 March dedicated to celebrating transgender people around the globe and the courage it takes to live openly and authentically, while also raising awareness around the discrimination trans people still face.
As a Stonewall Diversity Champion and Top 100 Employer, we understand that all our staff and students perform better, and get the most out of work and study, when they are accepted without exception and are free to be themselves.
As the Stonewall briefings LGBT in Britain: Trans Report and Delivering LGBT-Inclusive Higher Education demonstrate, trans and non-binary people still experience considerable barriers to full participation in many areas of daily life, including in Higher Education.
Did you know?
- Two in five trans people and three in ten non-binary people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last year
- One in three trans students had experienced at least one form of bullying and harassment on their campus
- Two in five trans people and half of non-binary people adjust the way they dress because they fear discrimination or harassment
- More than a third of trans university students in higher education have experienced negative comments or behaviour from staff in the last year
- One in eight trans employees have been physically attacked by colleagues or customers in the last year
- Half of trans respondents have seriously considered dropping out of their course
Support for trans and non-binary staff and students
We are committed to building a university community where trans and non-binary staff and students can express their gender identity confidently and safely and be fully celebrated for who they are.
In consultation with Stonewall, we have developed guidance for all staff that sets out our overarching framework for how the university supports trans staff and students (including those who are considering transitioning, are in the process of transitioning, have transitioned and those who identify as non-binary), as well as guidance for trans staff and students that covers the practical support available to trans and non-binary staff and students at the university and in the local community.
Support documents
These documents will be up-dated to reflect changes to internal systems and procedures, as they take place. We hope you find these documents helpful, but if you have any feedback, please do not hesitate to contact the Equality and Diversity Team.
- Trans and non-binary students and staff: Guidance for students, staff and line managers
- Leaflet summarising practical support for trans and non-binary students
If you experience any barriers accessing the support outlined in the documents outlined above, or expressing your gender identity at the university, please contact Marianne Lemond, Student Experience and Equalities Manager 01273 642160 who can advise and support you.
How you can get involved
Following the huge success of last year’s #MyPronounsAre campaign, the university is again partnering with public sector bodies and local trans organisations across the city to mark Trans Day of Visibility by raising awareness of gender identity. This campaign is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn more about gender identity and pronouns, let others know their correct pronouns and show visible support for the trans and non-binary community.
Look out for displays in our libraries and the colourful posters on plasma screens across campuses. This year, as well as the ‘she’, ‘he’, ‘they’ and blank badges to write your own correct pronouns, there will be a ‘Trans Ally’ badge available, to highlight the important role of staff who are not trans have in being there for their trans and non-binary colleagues and students. If you are getting involved this year, remember to join us on social media and tweet pictures and your support for the campaign with the hashtag #MyPronounsAre.
Useful links
Robin Coleman • 26 March 2019
