LGBT members

There are number of ways in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) members can raise their concerns, keep informed on new developments and be involved in shaping UCU policy.

UCU has an equality unit with expertise all equality areas including issues concerning LGBT members. The unit provides information (including regular newsletters), guidance and support to union officers and members.

Support

If you are experiencing discrimination, bullying or harassment at work see the main equality page for advice on getting support.

Resources

Resources and guidance for UCU equality officers and activists can be found in the equality resource centre in the UCU activists section of the website, with a dedicated page for LGBT equality resources.

Representation within UCU

The rules of the union have been drafted to ensure LGBT members are represented in UCU's democratic structures. There will be eleven 'equality seats' on the national executive committee (NEC) - elected directly by all members. Two of these seats is for a representative of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members members, one from Further Education and one from Higher Education. The executive comprises a number of sub-committees including an equality committee.

A conference for LGBT members is held every year: LGBT Members' Annual Conference. This conference elects a LGBT members' committee (LGBTMC). The LGBTMC can send two motions and two amendments to the annual national congress, and to the sector conferences.

LGBT members' email list

As well as these formal structures the equality unit operates a LGBT members' email list to keep you in touch with relevant events and information which any UCU member can join - just contact the equality unit on eqadmin@ucu.org.uk and ask to be added to the list.

LGBT Members' News

The Forum for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality in Post-School Education Newsletter

The February forum newsletter has attracted some very favourable feedback, and is available for download at the forum website here: http://sgforum.org.uk 

LGBT Members' International Experiences

UCU would like to collect feedback from our LGBT members about their experiences whilst working abroad for their institution.

LGBT workers have a right to expect to be protected from discrimination under the terms of the Equality Act and their institution's equality policy. However, during the course of working for your college or university it is possible that you may find yourself working abroad, either on a short visit or longer term basis. Sometimes you may not have a choice over where you end up. Sometimes this will mean working in a country or environment that is non-LGBT friendly.

There is growing evidence of academic and academic related staff enduring discrimination whilst working abroad for their institutions, and UCU would like to collect first-hand testimonies from our members to feed into a research project it is undertaking. If you have experience of the issues raised in this circular, please send your feedback to Equality Administrator James Taylor at jtaylor@ucu.org.uk

New Trans Guidance Published

Marking LGBT History Month the Forum for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Post-School Education has published guidance on trans equality in post-school education. You can download it below.

 trans equality in post-school education (.pdf) [765kb]