Trans students and accommodation

Added on 02/12/2008

NUS LGBT has produced a short briefing for officers looking at the issues involved in providing halls of residence accommodation for trans students. The briefing outlines what trans means, how equality legislation affects accommodation providers, and sets out some basic minimum standards and plenty of practical ideas for how halls of residence can be improved to become more trans-friendly.

If you have any questions about this briefing, or other trans students' issues, please e-mail Harri Weeks, NUS LGBT Committee (trans rep).

Download the briefing here.

LGBT Activist Training Days

Added on 27/10/2008

These one-day training and network events will take place in six locations across the UK and are open to all students working to develop LGBT societies and equality in their institutions. NUS LGBT subsidises the training for its members so that you only have to pay £12.50 per person (HE), and £7.50 per person (FE) for the whole day, including lunch. Registration is now open for all of the English events only. The training days will take place in the following places:

• Wales - venue tbc - Thursday, November 13

• South - University of the West of England - Friday, November 14

• London - Birkbeck Students' Union - Monday, November 17

• North - University of Manchester Students’ Union - Tuesday, November 18

• Midland and East - Birmingham University Guild of Students - Tuesday, November 25

• Scotland - Edinburgh University Students' Association - Saturday, November 29

The Activist Training Days are open to LGBT and non-LGBT students and will be suitable for those new to the campaign, as well as for more experienced activists. For more details please go to www.officeronline.co.uk/events

LGBT students-have your say!

Added on 15/10/2008

In the first national survey of its kind, Equality Challenge Unit has commissioned research into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) staff and students in higher education.

Led by Professor Gill Valentine, Professor Paul Plummer and Dr. Nichola Wood from the University of Leeds, the research will identify any barriers or other issues specifically affecting LGB&T staff and students. The research findings, due to be published in March 2009, will establish whether the higher education sector needs to take further action to engage with and support these groups.

NUS, along with academics, managers, representatives of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association, the trade unions, HEFCE, Universities Personnel Association, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Stonewall and Press for Change have all been involved in the production of the survey which will be distributed widely across higher education institutions.

NUS LGBT strongly urges any LGBT students studying in universities to fill in the survey, and student officers to disseminate the survey amongst their membership so that we can get as many responses as possible. This information will be crucial to informing NUS LGBT's future work to defend and promote the rights of LGBT students.

The survey will be completed online and will be live from 14 October 2008 until 9 December 2008. It can be found at www.equalsurvey.co.uk

About the Equality Challenge Unit

Equality Challenge Unit supports the higher education sector in its mission to realise the potential of all staff and students whatever their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief, or age, to the benefit of those individuals, higher education institutions and society

T: +44 (0) 20 7438 1010 E: info@ecu.ac.uk W: www.ecu.ac.uk

Gender neutral bathrooms

Added on 06/10/2008

The issue of single sex-bathrooms has recently come up. The following statement is from NUS LGBT.

"NUS believes that all students have the right to live and study in a climate that is free from discrimination and harassment. Trans students that use single-sex bathrooms can be subject to stigmatisation, violence and discrimination. NUS believes universities and students' unions should be accessible to as many people as is possible, and as a result supports all efforts to better include trans students and guarantee them appropriate facilities and services."

The NUS LGBT Campaign continues to support the efforts of students' unions to provide gender-neutral toilet facilities for anyone who wishes to use them, alongside single-sex toilet facilities. We are committed to fighting discrimination wherever it is found, and believe that students' unions should be at the forefront of this fight."

Emergency Uganda House Protest - October 9th

Added on 02/10/2008

In recent weeks, the Ugandan Government has once again launched a campaign to arrest those who 'recruit homosexuals'. The Ugandan police authorities currently hold lists of those it suspects of the 'crime' of homosexuality, and just two days ago, Pastor Isaac Kyoobe Kiweweesi has been investigated for alleged homosexuality.

In the UK, those who flee such persecution and seek asylum are subject to further discrimination by the home office. Kizza Musinguzi and Prossy Kakooza are just two of those seeking asylum in UK.

NUS LGBT, in conjunction with Gay Rights Uganda, will be holding a demonstration on Ugandan Independence Day outside the Ugandan Embassy in London, to protest against the persecution of LGBT people in Uganda, and the treatment of those who are lucky enough to escape to the UK.

Details

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Location: Uganda House

Street: Trafalgar Square

E-mail NUS LGBT Officer, Lucy Brookes

www.gayrightsuganda.org