The University is proud to mark Transgender Awareness Week, held every year from 13-19 November and culminating on Transgender Day of Remembrance (20 November). The week is dedicated to celebrating the transgender community, by highlighting not only the challenges faced by trans people but also their resilience and joy.
Join the Pulse LGBTQIA+ Staff and PGR Network in raising the trans flag on Wednesday 13 November at the Jubilee Plaza (the square between the Hartley Library and building 32 and 85) from 9:30am to show solidarity to transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people.
“Raising the Trans flag over the University is a small act of allyship which carries a big significance in terms of showing active support and visibility to the Trans community amongst our students, staff and the wider society. During this Trans awareness week, let us all take an opportunity to educate ourselves and take further steps towards truly inclusive behaviours and practices.”
Fabien Littel, Co-Chair of the PULSE LGBTQIA+ Staff and PGR Network.
What can I do to become a better ally?
We have several resources to make our University more Trans-inclusive. They can help individuals, personal tutors, supervisors and line managers to be allies to Trans peers and colleagues. You can find dedicated training, toolkits and inclusive language guidance on the EDI Sharepoint page.
Our Active Bystander training is available for staff and students, enabling our community to be more equipped to challenge inappropriate language and behaviour. Staff can book via Staffbook and students can find dates of sessions on the EDI Sharepoint or MySouthampton App.
Support available:
Staff and PGR students can join the Pulse LGBTQIA+ Staff and PGR Network who run events throughout the year to support their members and raise awareness of LGBT+ issues in the University.
If you are a victim of bullying, hate speech, harassment or discrimination, or witness these behaviours, use the Report + Support tool to report it anonymously, or report it and get support from an advisor.
You can find out more about Trans lives from organisation like Stonewall , GLAAD, and Southampton-based Beyond Reflections.
Students can join the TransMission peer support group. The group is for any student who identifies as transgender, non-binary or is questioning their gender identity. The group is a safe space to meet and support each other in a confidential and private space. Whilst staff are present to facilitate the group, this group aims to be run mainly by the participants, for the participants with staff support.
Upcoming group dates and future events can be found on the MySouthampton App with the next meeting taking place on Wednesday 20 November, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm in the wellbeing centre group room.
