Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia was founded in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

LGBTQ+ History Month USW Networks

Group of people holding hands, draped in rainbow flags

The day is celebrated on 17 May each year to coincide with the World Health Organization’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990.

A group of students of different ethnicities and backgrounds smile while standing in a group outside Treforest campus and holding a handmade paper banner with colourful hand drawn writing saying

International Day Against Homophoia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHBOIT) is an opportunity to drive positive change and to remember that there is still a way to go until all LGBTQ+ people are free and safe from harm. The theme for 2024 is: No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all.

There are a number of sources of support, advice and information for University of South Wales students and colleagues who identify as LGBTQ+.

Report and Support

Everyone has the right to feel safe and supported. If you experience or witness an incident of concern at USW, you can tell us by submitting a report using our dedicated Report and Support tool.

Report and Support

Support and Resources at USW

Lecturer Dr Thania Acaron leans on a white banister while wearing a blue shirt inside USW's Cardiff Campus

LGBTQ+ Role Models

USW LGBTQ+ Role Models are volunteers who are passionate about promoting LGBTQ+ equality within the University. They act as a point of contact for colleagues and students who are encountering an LGBTQ+ issue and want to talk about it with an person who is identifies as LGBTQ.

LGBTQ+ Role Models

A group of three young adults at an LGBTQ+ event with a rainbow Pride flag

LGBTQ+ Society

The Students' Union's LGBT+ Society is a safe place for people of all sexualities to socialise with no fear of judgement. The society allows members to connect and help change things across the university. They meet at least monthly and arrange many social events throughout the academic year.

LGBTQ+ Society

A person sharing their thoughts during a group support session

Gender Identity Glossary

A glossary of terms relating to gender identity. Please note that different people find different terms acceptable. You should always ask a person what terms they prefer when talking to them / referring to them. When speaking to someone, you could ask them ‘what does that mean for you?’

Gender Identity Glossary

A person walking while holding a large transgender flag up behind them through a park

Trans Support / Resources

Links to resources with further support and information for trans students and student peers, trans colleagues, and members of the University community who identify as trans.

Trans Support / Resources

A close-up of two people holding hands while sat down in a comforting motion while talking

Dignity at Study Advisers

Dignity at Study Advisers are a first point of contact for colleagues and students, and listen to concerns in a non-judgmental way. They provide advice and information and raise awareness of the support available for colleagues and students experiencing harassment or bullying.

Dignity at Study Advisers

Woman's hand picking a book from a library bookshelf

LGBTQ+ Reading List

A reading list featuring the works of LGBTQ+ authors and texts which focus on LGBTQ+ themes.

LGBTQ+ Reading List

Animation of multiple people, each representing a colour of the pride flag

Spectrum: LGBTQ+ and Allies Colleague Network

Spectrum is a collective of LGBTQ+ colleagues and supportive allies. All colleagues are welcome to join; the group is actively seeking members from diverse backgrounds to ensure representation of everyone.

Spectrum

External Support

Stonewall Cymru provide support for LGBTQ+ people and their allies. They are committed to empowering people to create change in their own communities.
TransUnite is a comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. Their directory help connect people to an established network of trans support groups.
Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.
Trans Aid Cymru helps Transgender, Non-Binary and Intersex (TIN) people through mutual aid support. It is run by TIN people for TIN people, making it understanding of the community needs.
Galop provides support to anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and has suffered domestic abuse, sexual violence or hate crime.
transEDU is an online resource for colleagues and students in Further and Higher Education.

Four fists claiming pride rights with pride bracelet

Transgender flag, shadows and silhouettes of people on a road

Non-binary teenager and supportive mother smiling at camera

Group of friends using mobile phone to take selfie

Shot of an unrecognisable couple holding hands

A close up view of a person reading something on a tablet while sitting on the street bench.

Stonewall Cymru

Trans Unite

Mermaids UK

Trans Aid Cymru

Galop

transEDU

In addition to the support offered by the University of South Wales, there are many organisations doing good work to support people who identify as LGBTQ+.

For a list of more organisations who support equality and diversity, please head to our Inclusion Resources page.

If you would like to recommend an organisation that's not listed below, please get in touch at [email protected].