LGBTQIA+ community
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We're proud to be recognised as a gold employer of choice for the Australian Workplace Equality Index. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.
How we support our community
The University of Sydney was founded on the vision of ‘opportunity for all’. Our support for staff and students of all genders, sexualities and sex characteristics aims to strengthen this founding ethos to enable a place of work and learning where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves.
We’ve made significant investment to support our LGBTQIA+ staff, students and community through internal and external activities and partnerships. This includes the launch and expansion of the Pride Network, participation in the Mardi Gras Parade and Fair Day as well as the celebration of important dates in the LGBTQIA+ calendar such as International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Wear It Purple Day, and Transgender Day of Remembrance.
In 2019 we founded the NSW/ACT Higher Education Pride Network to facilitate cross-institutional learning and develop best practice. We created the 78ers Legacy Fund Scholarship from a crowdfunding project recognising the individuals who carved a path for gay rights in Australia, and established LGBTQIA+ Student Support Liaison Officer roles to ensure inclusion for our students is integrated into faculties.
We know there is always work to be done and complacency is not an option. Our ongoing goal is to embed support and visibility within our policies, processes, systems and culture. Our leaders play a large part in this and are responsible for creating an organisation that is diverse and inclusive.
Our commitment
The Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor has affirmed our commitment to creating a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment where all students, staff and visitors feel supported to express their identities authentically.
"The University aspires to be a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all, including our trans and gender-diverse community members, and always to stand against discrimination. All students, staff and visitors should feel supported and free to contribute freely and fully, regardless of gender, sex characteristics or sexual orientation.
We are particularly unsettled whenever we see divisive anti-trans sentiments. The recent National Student Safety Survey showed that students of diverse sexualities and genders experience disproportionately high rates of violence, harassment and abuse. This is unacceptable.
In light of this, I want to reiterate the University's active commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all, and acknowledge that ongoing, targeted action is required to achieve this.
This is neither an act of charity nor even tolerance. It is in our institutional self-interest because recognising and welcoming diversity in our community makes the University a better place.
A diverse and inclusive environment benefits us all."
Professor Annamarie Jagose
Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor