Going for Stonewall

In 2019 Birmingham City University launched the ‘Going for Stonewall’ Project with the aim of developing and embedding best practice in LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) inclusion for staff and students.

Working closely with the Staff LGBT+ Network and stakeholders across BCU and the Students’ Union, the aims of the project include:

Making BCU’s first submission to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index in 2020
Producing a best practice toolkit to support an LGBT+ inclusive curriculum
Developing LGBT+ training resources for BCU staff
Supporting annual LGBT+ recognition and celebration events across campuses

The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index

Since 2006, the UK’s leading LGBT charity Stonewall have compiled an annual list of the best British employers for LGBT inclusion. The framework allows employers to benchmark themselves nationally against a range of criteria, taking into consideration the policies, practices and culture of an organisation.

BCU is already a registered Stonewall Diversity Champion, with an active staff LGBT+ Network and student LGBTQ+ Society. Using the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index as a starting framework, we are bringing together existing good practise across the University, identifying areas of improvement, and working collaboratively with both local and national partners to ensure a sector-leading approach to LGBT+ inclusion for our staff and students.

Our work so far

LGBT+ Allies

In February 2021, the LGBT+ Allies scheme launched providing staff with learning opportunities through training and resources, in order to develop a more inclusive university community for LGBT+ colleagues and students.

The LGBT+ Allies Hub offers a calendar of training opportunities, including facilitated workshops and self-guided online modules, as well as a growing bank of resources developed in partnership with LGBT+ staff.

Staff who complete the ‘Becoming an LGBT+ Ally’ workshop are encouraged to signify their commitment to inclusion visibly, such as in their email signature, so that students and colleagues know that they are approachable and should be able to signpost to relevant support where needed.

LGBT History Month 2021

In February 2021, the project supported the LGBT+ Staff Network, BCU Students’ Union and other colleagues to coordinate LGBT History Month at BCU, including:

a talk from Dr Justin Varney, Birmingham’s Director of Public Health, A Queer Reflection on Inequalities and Leadership
an expert panel event titled “Humanity-free zones”? Facts and Myths about the Struggle for LGBTI Rights in Poland
a talk from Birmingham LGBT to mark National HIV Testing Week
staff Network screening/social events
LGBTQ student mentoring taster event
launch of the staff LGBT+ Allies scheme
Trans Speech and Language Therapy workshop from Carol Glaister

Being LGBTQ in the workplace

YouGov research commissioned by Stonewall in 2017 found that more than a third of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff (35%) have hidden that they are LGBT at work for fear of discrimination.

In December 2020, we brought together a panel of LGBTQ professionals from a range of disciplines to discuss their experiences of being 'out' in the workplace followed by a Q&A. Attendees heard personal stories of some of the challenges facing LGBTQ people in different areas of work, as well as the potential positives of bringing your whole self to work.

In February 2021, a mentoring taster event was held, offering LGBTQ students the chance to discuss any concerns with LGBTQ people currently in work. The event demonstrated the very real concerns of some students and the value of mentoring conversations in considering how to navigate these challenges.

LGBTQ+ Student Welcome 2020

With some of the usual student welcome activities unable to take place in 2020, on 18 September we held an online welcome and Q&A for LGBTQ+ students with talks from:

BCUSU LGBTQ+ Society
BCU Mental Health and Wellbeing Team
Stonewall Project Manager
Birmingham LGBT

LGBT History Month 2020

In February 2020, the project supported the LGBT+ Staff Network in coordinating LGBT History Month at BCU, with events including:

information stalls on every campus
staff training pilot sessions: Sexuality & Gender 101 and Being LGBT+ in 2020
LGBT+ Issues in Schools speaker event in collaboration with the School of Education and Social Work, with guest speaker Andrew Moffat
a talk from lecturer Carol Glaister about her work on trans speech and language therapy
formal launch of the eight-colour rainbow lanyard for staff and students

Eight-colour rainbow lanyards

The lanyard launch in February 2020 included stalls and pick-up points across campuses, with postcards explaining:

“The addition of black and brown stripes to the traditional 6-colour Pride flag is a statement of inclusion, acknowledging the unique challenges that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people of colour face from both outside and inside the LGBT+ community.

As Birmingham City University continues to develop our LGBT+ inclusion agenda, we want our work to reflect and celebrate our diverse community. Please wear one of our lanyards with pride!”

For more information please contact Ross Strong, Stonewall Project Manager.