Trans Awareness Week, held every year from 13-19 November, is a global event to raise the profile of Trans people and their experiences. It precedes Trans Day of Remembrance on Sunday 20 November. To mark the week and day of remembrance, we are raising the Trans flag on the Jubilee Plaza today (Monday 14 November) and Sunday 20 November.
SUSU programme of events – what is on this week
- Tree of solidarity
The Bridge entrance, Building 42, Highfield Campus
Members of the Trans community and allies are invited to drop in throughout the week to add your own story or message of solidarity for the Trans community on the tree. Cards and pens are provided.
- Celebration in The Bridge
Building 42, Highfield Campus
Friday 18 November from 16:00-18:00
This is a safe space for members of the Trans community and allies to enjoy a chilled afternoon together with games and drinks.
- Pronoun badges
Building 40 and Building 42, Highfield Campus
Free pronoun badges are available to collect from the Welfare Room (Level 3, Building 40) and the SUSU main reception (Building 42). The available badges are he/him, she/her, they/them, and a blank badge to write your own choice of pronouns on.
Resources
We have a number of resources and commitments to make our community more Trans-inclusive and help us to be allies:
- LGBTQ+ bitesize learning
- Guide to using LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language
- Guide on the use of pronouns
- The SUSU Beginners Guide to Being a Good Trans Ally
- The Student Charter – a reference point for students and staff setting out our expectations, rights and responsibilities as members of the University community.
You can also find out more about Trans lives from organisation like Stonewall, Gender Intelligence and GLAAD, and Southampton-based Beyond Reflections.
Support
If you are a victim of bullying, hate speech, harassment or discrimination, or witness these behaviours, the Report and Support tool is a way to report unacceptable behaviour and access support if you need it. This includes the option to report anonymously to help us to provide better support to others and inform prevention work across the University.
Societies
The following societies run events throughout the year to support their members and raise awareness of LGBT+ issues in the community:
- LGBTQ+ Society for all students
- Pulse LGBT+ network for PGR students
Our commitment to visibility and inclusion
We are continually working to improve Trans and non-binary visibility and inclusion in our community. We are currently updating our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, including the Gender Identity and Dignity at Work and Study policies, and developing inclusive practices for Estates developments, to create more gender-neutral facilities on campus and make them easier to find.
Training opportunities
Active Bystander training will soon be available to all students, so we are better able to challenge inappropriate language, behaviour and decision making. If you are interested in Active Bystander training, please complete this form. We will let you know how to book onto these sessions.