LGBTQ+ support

LGBTQ+ Students' Unions representation

The Students’ Union represents all students across the university, in the local community and nationally. We have four full-time elected officers that represent students on committees from the university Board of Governors to school-level education and student experience committees.

Our Vice-President for Welfare sits on the university Equality and Diversity Committee to represent LGBTQ+ students and other underrepresented groups. In the last year the Union have campaigned to raise awareness of hate crime, promoted LGBTQ+ sexual health, celebrated Brighton Pride, supported LGBT history month and marked International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

If there’s a campaign or project that you want us to see the Union run to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students get in touch.

Find out more about the Officers on the Students’ Union website.

LGBTQ+ Student Society

The LGBTQ+ Student Society is for all students who identify within the LGBTQ+ spectrum (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and all sexualities, genders and identities that fall under the plus), whether you are openly out, questioning or unsure.

The society holds varied events throughout the year including:

• club nights
• casual meet ups
• participating in Pride
• history walks
• film screenings
• cross-society collaborations.

LGBT Uni-Amex mentoring programme

The LGBT Uni-Amex mentoring programme is a joint professional-to-student mentoring programme delivered by the University of Brighton Careers Service and the Pride Network at American Express.

It aims to pair current University of Brighton and Sussex students who identify, or have identified, as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans and who wish to gain employability skills and confidence, with professionals and managers from the LGBT Pride Network in American Express who wish to share their experience.

Trans and non-binary students

The university provides a range of guidance and support for trans and non-binary students. This includes:

• a process for changing your name and photo on your Unicard and other university records free of charge
• support staff who can support you in communicating your name and pronoun to your lecturers or on placement
• guidance on time off for medical treatment
• guidance on use of toilet and changing room facilities.

For further information, see our Practical information and support for trans and non-binary students document (pdf). You can also contact Marianne, our named contact for trans and non-binary students at studentequality@brighton.ac.uk if you need further guidance.

Pronoun awareness

We recognise the importance of using people’s correct pronouns and avoiding misgendering.

We have worked with the Brighton Students’ Union to develop pronoun icons that students and staff can upload as their profile icon on Microsoft Teams: download your Pronoun Icons for Microsoft Teams.

We have also developed this guide for staff and students, outlining tips on getting pronouns right: download the Getting Pronouns Right guide (pdf).

Gender neutral toilets

Trans and non-binary people have the right to use single-sex toilets and changing rooms appropriate to their self-identified gender.

However, the university recognises that some trans and non-binary people (and others) feel more comfortable using gender-neutral toilets so we have made arrangements for the provision of gender-neutral toilets at all our campuses.

Estranged students

The university recognises that some LGBTQ+ students may be studying without financial support from their parents. The university provides a bursary for students who are not care leavers, but who are under 25 and permanently out of contact with their parent(s), who are normally resident in England and have been assessed as eligible to receive full funding from Student Finance England.

Discrimination, bullying and harassment

The University of Brighton takes allegations of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and harassment by students and staff extremely seriously and has measures in place to report and investigate such incidents.

The Disclosure Response Team is here to support students who have been the victim of discrimination, harassment, violence or abuse, in any circumstance. You can disclose an incident by completing an online disclosure form – you have the option of doing this anonymously.

Our trained staff will examine the form and if you have shared your name, will be able to provide you with practical support, signpost you to specialist services, explain your options for making a formal report or complaint, and support you with managing your safety.  

You can also speak to a trusted member of staff, such as your Student Support and Guidance Tutor (or SSGT), who can be the conduit to the Disclosure Response Team, if that is what you would like.

Local community

The local area has a vibrant community sector with community organisations which can support and connect  LGBTQ+ students to people with shared experiences locally.

These include:

• Allsorts Youth Project – LGBTQ+ youth support service (under 26 year olds)
• Mind Out – LGBTQ+ mental health service
• Switchboard – helpline and support services for LGBTQ+ community
• The Clare Project – Transgender support and social group