LGBT+
LGBTQI+ Inclusion at The University of Huddersfield
Stonewall Diversity Champion
The University of Huddersfield is proud to have become a Stonewall Global Diversity Champion. Stonewall is Europe’s largest lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) rights charity.
The Global Diversity Champions programme gives us the tools we need to take a strategic and structured approach to LGBT+ equality initiatives to ensure all LGBT+ staff are accepted without exception in the workplace. It gives us access to specialist resources and expertise, improves our visibility as an employer of choice and will help us to improve our equality and diversity policies and practices.
We have an active LGBTQI+ Staff Network, please see below for further details.
Stonewall LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer Silver Award 2023The University of Huddersfield named in Stonewall’s Top 100 list for LGBTQ+ inclusive employers
The University of Huddersfield is incredibly proud to announce that it has achieved a prestigious Silver Award and been ranked within the top 100 Employers for the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI) 2023.
Stonewall, Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights, has launched its Top 100 Employers List, and the University of Huddersfield was recognised for its work on supporting LGBTQ+ staff to be themselves at work.
Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2023 list recognises exceptional employers who are committed to supporting their LGBTQ+ staff. It is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are. Creating inclusive environments makes the workplace safer and better for everyone – not just LGBTQ+ people.
Over the past year, the University of Huddersfield has undertaken significant strides towards creating an inclusive working environment. The University is ranked 97th of employers in all sectors who took part – up from a ranking of 277 in 2022.
Stonewall LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer Top 100 2023Trans Equality
The University of Huddersfield is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for Trans Staff, including those who identify as non-binary, agender or gender-fluid.
The following guidance is designed to provide Trans and Non-binary employees with information, guidance and support in relevant aspects of their employment at the University.
- Trans Equality Policy Statement
- Trans Equality Staff Guidance
- Template Support Action Plan (Appendix 2)
- Sources of Information and Support (Appendix 3)
Gender-Neutral Toilets
Many of our toilets on our campus are gender specific but gender-neutral toilets are available in some University buildings for employees that prefer to use these. Gender-neutral changing rooms are available on level 2 in the Sports Centre. We appreciate that some trans people, including those who are non-binary prefer to use gender-neutral facilities.
Gender neutral toilets can be found in the following places:
- Atkinson Holt - 1st Floor (2 toilets - AH1/02, AH1/03)
- Barbara Hepworth - (1 toilet - BHG/01)
- Charles Sikes – 1st Floor (1 toilet - CS1/30)
- Schwann Library - (1 toilet - SB5/09)
- Schwann level 6 (HR Department) – (1 toilet - SB6/45)
- Joseph Priestley South – (14 toilets - JPSG/09 - JPSG/12, JPS1/13 - JPS1/17, JPS2/13 - JPS2/17)
- Laura Annie Wilson (7 toilets - LWC/04 - LWC/11)
- Library - Schwann Level 5 (1 toilet - SB5/45)
- Percy Shaw House (1 toilet - SH2/13)
- Sir John Ramsden Court - (2 toilets- JRG/06, JRG/07)
- Sovereign Design House (1 toilet - SDG/05)
- Sparck Jones (2 toilets - SJG/07, SJG/08)
- Stewart Film Studios (2 toilets - SFSG/03 - SFSG/11)
- Student Central (2 toilets - SC4/06, SC3/01)
- 3M BIC (1 toilet - BIC G/04)
- Schwann Building (5 toilets, SB4/13a-e)
LGBTQI+ Staff Network
The University welcomes and supports the development of staff networks. Our staff networks provide an opportunity for staff who share a protected characteristic to network, obtain peer support and share information. They can also offer opportunities for staff to inform university policy on equality-related issues and topics. The networks are run by and for the members, with support from the University EDI Officer.
Welcome to the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans*, Queer and Intersex + (LGBTQI+) Staff Network.
The University of Huddersfield’s LGBTQI+ Staff Network was set up as a self-organising group in April 2018. The Network discussed and self-defined their name, with the acronym LGBTQI+, incorporating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, and Intersex.
LGBTQI Network Terms of Reference 2023
To find out more about this network including future meeting dates, please email lgbt@hud.ac.uk or please feel free to contact Carson McCombe (Chair).
What does the rainbow lanyard mean to you?
Wearing a rainbow lanyard is a visible signal to the LGBTQI+ community that our campus is welcoming and inclusive and many colleagues around the University now wear a rainbow lanyard. Staff from across the University tell us why they wear the rainbow lanyard and what it means to them.
Sally Hobson
Campus Support Manager
Wearing a rainbow lanyard is a visible signal to the LGBTQI+ community that our campus is welcoming and inclusive and many colleagues around the University now wear a rainbow lanyard. Staff from across the University tell us why they wear the rainbow lanyard.
Ruth Taylor
Head of HR
I feel it is important to wear the rainbow lanyard to show support for, and to help build, an open, supportive and inclusive environment and culture. It is a visible sign of the values that the University of Huddersfield represents.
Christian McGrath
People & Organisational Development
By wearing my lanyard with pride around the campus, I hope that I can show others the University of Huddersfield supports fellow LGBTQI+ colleagues and students.
Victoria Robinson
HR Manager
For me, my rainbow lanyard demonstrates the support I have for colleagues, students and visitors who identify as LGBTQI+. It is a celebration of the diversity of our University campus and wider community and I wear it with pride.
Natalie Plows
HR Manager
For me the rainbow lanyard celebrates the sexual and gender diversity of our staff and students. Working in HR it serves as a reminder that the diversity of staff can only be an asset which should be recognised and celebrated!
Raphaella Ward
Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
Promoting visibility and raising awareness is why I wear my rainbow lanyard on campus. As a University and Students' Union, it is important to continue building a supportive and inclusive environment on campus and locally for LGBTQI+ students and staff.
Andrew Jenkins
Principle Lecturer
The rainbow lanyard symbolizes that we, as LGBTQI+ people, are proud of who we are. It is a symbol of hope, pride and love. It demonstrates that we are an open, tolerant and forward-thinking institution.
