ECU urges vice-chancellors to deliver lesbian, gay and bisexual equality

Universities and higher education institutions need to take a more serious approach to acknowledging homophobia on campus and wiping out discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) staff and students, according to new guidance published by the higher education equality body, Equality Challenge Unit.

Advancing LGB equality: improving the experience of lesbian, gay and bisexual staff and students in higher education calls on higher education institutions to make an explicit commitment to LGB equality and create an environment on campus in which homophobia is not tolerated.

ECU is sending a copy of the guide to each vice-chancellor to kick-start activity in an equality area which has, in the past, lagged behind race, disability and gender equality.

The new guidance outlines simple, practical steps to help improve the experiences of LGB people working and studying in higher education institutions. It was developed by ECU following ground-breaking research which found that significant levels of homophobia and discrimination exist on campus. 50% of LGB students who took part in the research reported negative treatment from fellow students, and staff also reported significant levels of abuse from colleagues (34%) and students(19%) [1].

Welcoming the new ECU guidance, Dianne Willcocks, Vice-chancellor of York St John, said:

'There is evidence to suggest that, for too long, untested assumptions about the liberal culture of our universities and colleges being wholly supportive of diversity have been allowed to mask certain failings - which we are now well placed to address.

Developed to help improve the experiences of LGB people working and studying in our institutions, the simple and practical steps outlined here can have an immediate and highly beneficial impact.'

Levi Pay, Policy Director at ECU, said:

'During the development of this guidance, we've found that many HE institutions have woken up to this problem and are already working to support their LGB colleagues and students. What really seems to make a difference to the culture of an institution is the level of support given by the senior management. A vice-chancellor who is vocal and visible in supporting LGB equality, for example, can lead the way to creating a more inclusive culture, and in the process make their institution much more attractive to LGB staff and students.

The Equality Act 2010 will place a new duty on higher education institutions to promote equality for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. With this new guidance institutions can get to grips with what these statutory responsibilities must mean in practice.'

Advancing LGB equality: improving the experience of lesbian, gay and bisexual staff and students in higher education includes specific recommendations around dealing with homophobia in student accommodation, clubs and societies, supporting students who have been rejected by their parents because of their sexual orientation, and ensuring that staff are not subject to discrimination.

Download the guidance

Download the guidance:

• Advancing LGB equality
  

Notes

[1] Statistics taken from ECU's 2009 research The experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff and student in higher education.