Friday 31 March was International Transgender Day of Visibility – dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.
What is ‘transgender’?
Transgender (or Trans*) is an umbrella term used to include all gender-variant people. It can mean someone feels like the opposite gender to which they were born, or that they classify themselves as non-binary, neither male nor female, or even a mix of the two.
How does Kent support transgender people?
The LGBT+ Staff Network is proud to work with and support members of Kent’s diverse and inclusive community, and to foster cultural and policy change to advocate for LGBT+ people and their supporters.
The University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) team work with Kent Union and other external agencies, and with colleagues and students across the University, to ensure that all staff, students and visitors are treated with dignity and respect. The team have created an e-module on Trans Awareness, are conducting a review on potential sites for gender-neutral toilets, and are working with Stonewall to provide resources and guidelines for being or supporting a trans* person in the workplace.
There is a free, confidential peer-support group run in partnership with TG Pals for all trans*, intersex and non-binary gender people at the University of Kent. The group is run by non-binary people for non-binary people. Further details, including meeting dates are here: www.kent.ac.uk/studentservices/equality.
Upcoming activities
Monday 15 May 12.30 GLT3, ‘An Introduction to Trans Awareness’, Lee Gale from Gendered Intelligence
A 90-minute session to set the wider context for trans* identities – how sex, gender and sexual orientation interact. The workshop will:
- Explore key terms and uses of language
- Offer basic grounding in the legislation around the rights and responsibilities around trans identities; the Equalities Act 2010, Gender Recognition Act 2004
- Begin to explore how an organisation can ensure it is being trans-inclusive
- Provide links to a wide range of resources
Wednesday 17 May, International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT):
Pronoun Challenge
The LGBT+ Staff Network challenges you to use non-gendered pronouns for the day! Help us raise awareness of the Trans* community by using non-gendered pronouns with colleagues for the day – if you slip up it’s 10p in the ‘swear jar’ – proceeds go to charity (TBD).
LGBT+ on the plaza…
The LGBT+ Staff Network and Student Society (Kent Union) will also be hosting a stall on Jarman Plaza 12.00 – 14.00 to promote LGBT/straight alliance and to give information and advice about sources of support and upcoming activities. Come along and see us!
LGBT+ Staff Network social
Join colleagues for an informal drink after work from 17.15 in the Gulbenkian. All are welcome, including guests/partners.
Find out more
Details of resources and support available related to Transgender people or awareness can be found here: www.kent.ac.uk/hr-equalityanddiversity/protected-characteristics/transgender.
Students can also find out more information on the Student Services webpages: www.kent.ac.uk/studentservices/equality.
About the LGBT+ Staff Network
The Network is open to all members of staff regardless of grade, function, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. We support HR in their work to make Kent an inclusive and safe environment to work in and we work closely with the Kent Union student LGBT+ Society to ensure that LGBT+ issues are represented and promoted. Check out the LGBT+ Staff Network blog to keep up to date with events and activities.