International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHoBiT) 2021

17 May is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHoBiT).   The day is marked worldwide and was created in 2004 as a response to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people, as well as all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The date of 17 May was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.  The day represents a major global landmark to draw the attention to the stigma and discrimination faced by those who identify as LGBT+ in the world today.

This year’s IDAHoBiT theme is “Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!” - this powerful theme was chosen due to the recent challenges that the word has faced this past year.  You can read more about it on the official May 17 website.

To mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHoBiT), the LGBT+ Pride flag will be flown outside St Paul’s Hall today in support of our LGBTQI+ community.

LGBTQI+ Inclusion at the University of Huddersfield

 

Stonewall

The University is a proud member of Stonewall and is working towards this year’s submission to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.  The Workplace Equality Index is an external benchmarking tool for the University to measure its achievements and progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace.  

 

LGBTQI+ Staff Network

The University of Huddersfield’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer and Intersex + (LGBTQI+) Staff Network was set up in April 2018. Staff networks provide an opportunity for staff who share a protected characteristic to network, obtain peer support and share information. 

LGBTQI+ Staff Network - Terms of Reference 

To find out more about this network, please contact Carson McCombe (Chair)

 

IDAHoBiT Talk & Quiz

Join the LGBTQ+ Society for a talk on what IDAHoBiT is, why it is necessary, and then play a fun quiz with a prize for the winner! 

Book your place!

 

Ways to get involved and support the LGBT+ community

• Highlight IDAHoBiT using your Teams background as a conversation starter or update your email signature with the resources below.
• Use social media to share why IDAHoBiT is important to you using #IDAHOBIT2021
• Familiarise yourself about LGBTQI+ inclusion at the University and read our pronouns guidance
• Update your email signature to include your pronouns
• Register your interest for future LGBTQI+ awareness training

 

LinkedIn Learning

Increasing our knowledge on how we can best support our LGBTQI+ colleagues and students supports our diverse community and makes our environments more inclusive for all.

Access to LinkedIn learning is free to staff and students at the University, all you need is your University email address and password.  Please find below some LinkedIn Learning modules that may be of interest:

• Out and Proud: Approaching LGBT Issues in the Workplace
• Supporting the Whole Self at Work, a Diversity and Inclusion Imperative
• Inclusive Mindset for Committed Allies
• Preventing Harassment in the Workplace
• Skills for Inclusive Conversations
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Inclusive Mindset
• Inclusive Leadership
• Managing a Diverse Team
• Leading Inclusive Teams
• Developing a Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program
• Adding Value through Diversity
• Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences
• Unconscious Bias
• Inclusion During Difficult Times

 

Support from the University

University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies 

VivUp - Employee Assistance Programme provides counselling and mental health support for all staff at the University.

Staff Wellbeing Guidance 

LGBTQI+ Staff Network can offer support, information and social activities

 

Further Support

The Education Support Partnership offer free confidential help and support, no matter what the problem. Their trained counsellors are available 24/7 to everyone working in education and is available UK wide on 08000 562 561. 

Stonewall – providing information and support for everyone in the LGBT+ community

Gendered Intelligence – is a registered charity that exists to increase understandings of gender diversity

The Beaumont Society is a support network that promotes better understanding of the conditions of transgender, transvestism and gender dysphoria. 

LGBT Foundation – the UK’s largest health and community charity supporting the needs of LGBT+ people 

GIRES – an organisation working to improve the lives of trans and non-binary people, their friends, families and colleagues