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LGBTQI+ equality

As part of the EDI annual report 2022-23, the University of Sunderland shows how they have supported LGBTQI+ equality.

Sunderland Pride

Sunderland, a city known for its commitment to diversity and equality, hosted one of its most anticipated events of the year: Sunderland Pride 2023.

This year, the University’s Pride Network proudly sponsored and actively participated in the festivities, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive presence at the parade. As part of their involvement, the Network went the extra mile to engage attendees of all ages. Visitors had the opportunity to create their own colourful bunting, to be displayed in the University.

International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

IDAHOBIT is on the 17 May every year, and in 2023 the theme was “Together Always: United in Diversity”.

In order to raise the profile of IDAHOBIT, the Pride Network organised a session led by well-known HIV activist and author, Roland Chesters, to share his lived experience of being a homosexual man living with HIV.

A remarkable individual and an inspiring speaker, Roland delivered an inspiring talk to the Network. He has dedicated his life to promoting awareness and understanding of being a gay man and neurological conditions, particularly Acquired Disability and HIV. Based on personal experience and extensive research, his insights shed light on the challenges individuals face with these conditions and the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Roland Chesters is also an Outreach Ambassador for the HIV Charter Mark, Positive Allies, which the University of Sunderland is a proud holder of. This Charter Mark recognises organisations that are tackling HIV as a hidden disability, as outlined in the UK Equality Act (2010).

Four hands with their fists in the air, all wearing wristbands with rainbows on.

Annual LGBTQI+ Multidisciplinary Research Conference

This year, the 3rd Annual LGBTQI+ Multidisciplinary Research Conference took place online on 4 July 2023.

The Research Conference was an academic event focused on bringing together scholars, researchers, and activists to present and discuss their work related to the LGBTQI+ community. The event fosters interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration and creates a platform for sharing innovative research ideas and findings.

The theme for this year's conference was "Queer Joy," which seeks to explore how joy, pleasure, and positivity are experienced, expressed, and resisted within the LGBTQI+ community. The theme encouraged participants to critically engage with the dominant narratives of suffering, trauma, and victimisation, and instead, highlight the resilience, creativity, and pleasure of queer experiences.

The Big Gay Festival

This year, the Students' Union have continued to grow their provision for the LGBTQI+ student community.

They once again held the Big Gay Festival, a celebration with musical performances, a drag queen performance and activities to mark LGBTQI+ History Month. The event was inclusive of everyone, whether attendees were part of the community or allies.

Roundtable discussion: National Coming Out Day

To celebrate National Coming Out Day we sat down for a roundtable with Callie and Chrissy who both shared their 'coming out' stories.

Intersex Awareness Day

Intersex Awareness Day aims to inform and educate people about intersex people, their human rights issues and the discriminations they face in daily life, including the decision for many to “normalise” their own sex in their own time and if they want to.

This year for Intersex Awareness Day, we helped raise awareness amongst our university community by publishing an informative article written by our colleague, Sarah Ellis.

Sarah explored the concept of identity, intersectionality and the reality that human sex does not fit neatly, and universally, into a binary either/or model and that for some, this aspect of human lived experience can have a major impact on their lives, sense of self, relationships, and legal and societal recognitions.

LGBT+ History Month

‘Behind the Lens’ was the official theme for LGBT+ History Month 2023.

With the aim of celebrating the hard work, passion and dedication of LGBT+ individuals in the media industry, this year's LGBT+ History Month aimed to highlight the contributions made to the production of film and cinema from behind the lens.

Throughout the month of February we published frequent information to share with colleagues exploring the theme. We explored what LGBT+ History Month is, and why it's important to celebrate it in the workplace. We also heard personal stories from colleagues and their experience of representation in the media.

Transgender Awareness Week

Transgender Awareness Week is celebrated every year from the 13 to the 20 November aiming to increase the understanding of transgender people and the issues that they face.

To spread awareness, the University's Equality Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Justine Gillespie, wrote an article for colleagues sharing what she'd learnt about being an ally and detailing what members of staff can do to support the trans community.

Justine commented in the article, "We can’t change our culture without each one of us seeing ourselves as key enablers of inclusive workplaces (through our day-to-day interactions with our colleagues — over lunch, by the coffee machine, during meetings, etc.) where everyone feels valued, respected, appreciated, and enjoys a sense of belonging."

Open Table Sunderland

This year, Open Table Sunderland welcomed all to a prayer event at Sunderland Minster, run by the Open Table Network.

The Network is a growing partnership of Christian worship communities that welcome and affirm people who are LGBTQI+ alongside friends, families and anyone who wants to belong within in an accepting community.

A portrait picture of trans activist Tate Smith

Tate's journey

This year, our Pride Staff and Menopause Staff Networks welcomed Tate Smith as a guest speaker to give an engaging talk to University colleagues.

Tate is a trans activist and speaker, passionate about improving trans male visibility, educating others and tackling taboo topics like toxic masculinity, trans male menopause and male privilege.

Tate delved into his experience transitioning through the NHS and private healthcare system, experiencing menopause as a trans man, alongside discussing issues with healthcare and the importance of inclusive language.