UK: Sexuality challenge for universities

Positive images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual students in university brochures and websites influence students' choice of institution, new research by the Equality Challenge Unit has shown. The unit, founded in 2001, is funded by the higher education sector and the funding councils.

The report is based on an analysis of 4,205 online responses to an electronic survey disseminated to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) staff and students in higher education institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The research finds that higher education provides a positive space for many LGBT students, but there are still high levels of homophobia and discrimination on campus, a factor that contributes to 20% of LGB and 28.5% of trans students suspending their studies. More than a third of LGB staff and 41% of trans staff who took part in the research have experienced discrimination and abuse from colleagues.

A fifth of LGB students have taken time out of their course due to problems relating to their sexuality, homophobic discrimination and bullying, 28.5% of trans students take time out because of trans-related issues and transphobic bullying and harassment.

The report is timely as a new Equalities Bill is due which will extend institutions' duties in relation to sexual orientation.

Higher Education Minister David Lammy said he welcomed the report as it was one of the first of its kind to highlight the experiences of LGBT staff and students. "We expect universities to be tolerant places, promoting open thinking.

"The fact that LGBT students feel they can be themselves in our universities is very positive. But there still needs to be a concerted effort by the sector and institutions to ensure that LGBT staff and students feel welcome and are acknowledged and recognised as an integral part of the higher education community."

diane.spencer@uw-news.com

Comment:[/greydotmedium]
The extent of homophobia should not really suprise anyone as many British universities are underpinned by a Christian ethos. UCL was the first college in Britain to admit Jews and Catholics as well as humanists at a time when non-Anglicans were excluded from the universities. Faith groups lobbied hard to exempt themselves from respecting the human rights of LGBT people on belief grounds in a manner that would be unacceptable if they used faith to opt out of anti-racist legislation.

I chose Birkbeck over KCL precisely because of anxiety over "Christian" assumptions about gay men at the Anglican KCL. So long as religious belief-claims are seen as a legitimate means to evade equality law, discrimination will persist. I have never forgotten being told at college in London that people like me (gays) shouldn't be admitted to university. I only resumed my studies some 20 years later as a mature student. Even today I wouldn't bother to apply to study outside UCL or Birkbeck.

Steve