Home Student support Support+ LGBTQ+ Students, allies, friends and family members

LGBTQ+ Students, allies, friends and family members

Information for students, families and friends

 

The university strives to be a place where everyone feels free to express themselves and can achieve their full potential. We want to ensure that our LGBTQ+ students can thrive in a safe and supportive environment. We hope that the information below provides you with guidance on any additional support you may need while you are here.

Have a look at our LGBTQ+ Leaflet [PDF] for more information.

Gender Identify and Sexuality

Gender identity and sexuality are very personal and individual aspects of who we are. Some of us prefer to be clear about how / if we ‘label’ ourselves, and for others this is not as important, or it may be considered unnecessary or feel unsafe to do so. Often there is a fluidity to our identity and sexuality and it may change. It may not always be easily defined. The way we identify and communicate our identity and sexuality reflects our personal journey and our individual needs.

Coming out as LGBTQ+ at University

Telling people about our sexual orientation or gender identity is often called ‘coming out’. Coming out is not necessarily a one-off event, whether lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning or asexual (LGBTQ+); we often have to come out many times during our lives. It’s also something unique to us, with different personal challenges for each of us. There is no ‘right’ way or ‘right’ time to come out. Some of us prefer to tell everybody at once, for example by posting on social media. Others move more slowly, sharing the news with one person or group at a time. It’s good to trust our gut decision on what will serve us best. Bear in mind that the people you tell may have particular views, but these may change because of knowing you. Give them time. However, do not accept a hostile response - stop the discussion if this happens. Some of us may decide not to come out as we could stand to lose family and friends were we to do this.

Gender Questioning

When we are questioning our gender, it can be difficult to know where to go or what to do and can call up complicated feelings. Uncertainty can mean that we may be at an increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties. Your GP can refer you to a Gender Clinic. The waiting period can be lengthy and this is sometimes a lonely process. Think about whether there is other specialist support that you can access in the meantime, such as 1-on-1 counselling or LGBTQ+ and gender support groups in your local area. Being able to talk things through to help process your experience can be very helpful. Maintaining your wellbeing is key when transitioning. This will mean different things to different people so have a think about what you enjoy and take time for yourself to do those things.

Supporting a Friend or Being an Ally

Below are some tips about how to become an ally, support a friend or family member. Steer clear of making any assumptions based on any previous knowledge surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. Everyone’s experience is very different; for example, if you are unsure about which pronoun to use, ask first. Learn to listen and support. Support by facilitating discussion, take part or donate to charity events. Be careful not to make assumptions about a friend’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Unfortunately, those in the LGBTQ+ community may at times experience exclusion or be discriminated against and it can be incredibly isolating, especially on campus. Be prepared to take action and call it out if you can, in a sensitive and discreet manner wherever possible. Speak with a member of staff you feel confident with if you need help.

The Students Union help@bedssu.co.uk or LGBTQ+ Alliance Staff Network Group LGBTQ+alliance@beds.ac.uk are there to not only run student events, but also to help and support you.

Sexual orientation and gender reassignment are protected characteristics as part of the Equality Act 2010, a law which universities follow to prohibit discrimination within their institutions.

Reporting an Incident of Exclusion or Discrimination:

If you or someone you know, experiences exclusion or discrimination you can report this in a variety of ways:

Contact the University:

  • Support from staff, the university has trained advisors who can offer specialist support on how to report an incident. You can contact the university by emailing supportandreport@beds.ac.uk
  • You can also make a complaint, the University of Bedfordshire is committed to maintaining an effective procedure to allow all members of its community to make legitimate complaints. Our Student Complaints Policy and Procedure [PDF] sets out how student concerns may be addressed, and has been established with the aim of resolving complaints informally through negotiation between individuals immediately concerned with the matter and their immediate line management, where possible.

Contact the Police:

  • Bedfordshire Hate Crime Reporting is the specific mechanism where you can report hate crime which will be dealt with by specific trained officers, visit Bedfordshire Police - Hate Crime to report to the police.

Contact a specialist charity:

  • Stand Alone is a charity which has set up a support helpline for students who have become estranged from their families, visit Stand Alone for support, advice and guidance.
  • Galop supports LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence, find out more by visiting Galop

The University can help through the Student Union and the Student Support Teams if you wish to speak to someone to gain, advice and support. 

There are local services who can provide information, advice and guidance:

Bedfordshire:

  • LGBT Foundation: provide a functionality to search for local support groups local to where you live, visit LGBT Foundation - Local groups to find out more. 
  • LGBT Bedfordshire: provide a wide range for support and advice, visit LGBT Beds to find out more.
  • Rainbow Bedfordshire: An NHS mental health campaign, to find out more visit, Rainbow Bedfordshire  
  • Mind BLMK: local services relate to individual and corporate mental wellbeing across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. Provide a range of support for individuals including Crisis Support, Peer Support Groups, Mentoring, as well as specialist groups such as supporting people who are graduates of the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. To find out more, visit Mind BLMK 

Luton: 

  • Identity Luton: Confidential one-to one support for LGBT people in Luton aged 13+ over the phone, telephone: 01582 349373 for support.
  • TOKKO: OK2B is a group for LGBTQI+ young people. The Group is held at the safe, and friendly Tokko Youth Space in Luton and enables young people to meet new people, get support from a great team of staff, play pool or games with other LGBTQI+ young people. Telephone 01582 544990 or visit TOKKO to find out more.
  • Mind BLMK: local services relate to individual and corporate mental wellbeing across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. Provide a range of support for individuals including Crisis Support, Peer Support Groups, Mentoring, as well as specialist groups such as supporting people who are graduates of the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. To find out more, visit Mind BLMK 

Milton Keynes/Buckinghamshire:

  • Q:alliance: is a registered charity that provides support, information and representation for the LGBTQ+ people who live, work and play in Milton Keynes and Bedford. Visit Q:alliance for more information and advice including drop in service information and upcoming events to get involved in.
  • LGBT Bucks: Support and advice to people about services in and around Buckinghamshire, visit LGBT Bucks for more information.
  • Sexual Health Buckinghamshire: Buckinghamshire Local Support, visit Sexual Health Buckinghamshire to find out more.
  • Mind BLMK: local services relate to individual and corporate mental wellbeing across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. Provide a range of support for individuals including Crisis Support, Peer Support Groups, Mentoring, as well as specialist groups such as supporting people who are graduates of the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. To find out more, visit Mind BLMK 

Birmingham: 

  • Birmingham LGBT: offers information on services available including free, confidential and non-judgemental support services and sexual health services, visit Birmingham LGBT to find out information. 
  • Umbrella: Free Sexual health services in Birmingham and Solihull, visit Umbrella for more information.
  • Birmingham LGBT Meetup: A monthly coffee afternoon in central Birmingham, regular nights out in the gay village, and a variety of other smaller scale meetups hosted by group members. Visit Meetup for more information.
  • Birmingham Swifts: LGBT running group open to everyone no matter what your ability, age, sexuality or gender. Visit Birmingham Swifts for more information. 

London Bridge:

  • Gendered Intelligence: a registered charity that exists to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve trans people's quality of life. It also runs a peer-led support group in London for people aged 18 to 30, visit Gendered Intelligence for more information. 
  • London Friend: developed to improve the health and mental well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Queer people and we work to be there when people need us most. Visit London Friend for more information and advice.  
  • London LGBTQ+ Community Centre: offering a holistic programme of services, events, talks and workshops, combined with a cafe space that invites visitors to simply just be. Visit for more information London LGBTQ+ Community Centre 
  • Queer Spirit London: is a Radical Faerie group running events on LGBT+ spirituality, visit Queer Spirit London

Visit a range of national services listed below for further support, advice and guidance: 

  • Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline: Connecting you to LGBQT support, helpline 01273 204050 Mon, Wed and Thurs, 7:00pm-9:30pm or visit Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline for more information
  • Stonewall: Visit Stonewall for information including upcoming events to join and gain information and signposting in a variety of areas.
  • FFLAG: FFLAG provides empathy and own experience as parents in helping with the emotions that can arise when a family member comes out as LGBT or you need support coming out yourself. Access to confidential helpline 0300 688 0368 or visit FFLAG for more information.
  • The Terence Higgins Trust: HIV and sexual health services, advice services, group/workshops, access to counselling and much more, visit The Terence Higgins Trust. Freephone: 0800 802 1221
  • The Mix Helpline: Essential support for under 25 year olds, telephone: 0808 808 4994 or visit The Mix Helpline for further information.
  • Mermaids: speak to a trained member of the Mermaids team 080 88010400 or visit the website Mermaids to find out the right information and support for you.
  • Mind: LGBTQIA+ mental health, Information about mental health support for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+). Visit Mind for more information. 
  • Mindline Trans+ Helpline: a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline and signposting service for people who identify as Trans, A Gender, Gender Fluid and Non-binary. Call 0300 330 5468 or 01823 276892 for Mindline. 
  • Gendered Intelligence: a registered charity that exists to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve trans people's quality of life. It also runs a peer-led support group in London for people aged 18 to 30, visit Gendered Intelligence for more information. 
  • LGBTQI+ Mental Health Support Directory: visit to find a list of services and support for children and young people from the LGBTQI+ community.
  • IMAAN: The UK's leading LGBTQ Muslim charity, to find out more, including information for parents, visit IMAAN 

Find out information on a variety of faith groups and resources below:

  • Diverse Church: is a supportive community of over 600 LGBT+ Christians in the UK and Ireland, visit  Diverse Church for information.
  • Hidayah: provides support for LGBTQI+ Muslims. Visit Hidayah for information.
  • Muslim network: visit Muslim network for more information of Instagram: @muslimlgbtnetwork
  • House of Rainbow (HOR): fosters relationships among Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ+) individuals, people of faith and allies, visit House of Rainbow for more information.
  • Humanists UK: promotes humanism as a rational, naturalistic worldview and encourages a moral and ethical life based on logic, reason and compassion, visit Humanists UK for more information.
  • Imaan: is a national LGBTQ+ Muslim charity, visit Imaan to find out more.
  • KeshetUK: is a national LGBTQ+ Jewish charity, visit KeshetUK to find out more.
  • Open Table Network: is a growing partnership of Christian worship communities which welcome LGBTQIA people, our families, friends, and all our allies, visit Open Table Network for more information.
  • Queer Spirit London: is a Radical Faerie group running events on LGBT+ spirituality, visit  Queer Spirit London
  • Quest: exists to provide pastoral support to lesbian, gay, bi and transgender Catholics, visit  Quest for more information.
  • Sarbat: is a London-based international organisation for LGBT Sikhs, visit Sarbat for more information.

 

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