LGBT News Bulletins
February 2013
Rainbow Flag
The rainbow flag has been raised at the University throughout February to mark LGB History Month.
Stonewall Ranking
We received our Stonewall ranking for this year: Score 101 and ranking 213. We are pleased to have improved our score as this means that we are improving support and services for our LGB employees.
Derby Pride - September 2012
The University was reprsented at the Pride event in Derby in September 2013. Many prospective students took the time to stop at the stall and find out what the University has to offer.
Homophobia versus Football event - 22 October 2012
Chair of the LGBT Action Group, Graham, took part in a panel debate about homophobia in football. Also on the panel were Danny Lynch (Kick It Out Campaign), Richard Astle (Derby County in the Community), Andrew Cave (Derbyshire Friend), Mark Farthing (Athletic Union President, UDSU) and Ollie Shearer (Sport Development Manager, Univeristy of Derby). The panel meeting was chaired and facilitated by Angie Harper, Derbyshire County FA. For more information, visit www.derbyshirefa.com
May 2012
Staff Development Sessions
Two Staff Development sessions on The Learning Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Students ran on the 9th and 10th May 2012. These well-attended discussion sessions were co-ordinated by Dr Rebecca Barnes and Graham Rowe. The background and contextualisation was provided by Graham Rowe and then Dr Rebecca Barnes went on to report on published learning experiences of LGBT students generally and more specifically on the research findings of the learning experiences of LGBT students from across the University of Derby. Both sessions received positive feedback and similar sessions are planned in the future.
IDAHO Day - International Day Against Homophobia
Derby- A small band of people gathered outside the Kedleston Road Atrium at 1.00pm on Thursday 17th May 2012 to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. Professor Philip Plowden, Pro-vice Chancellor and Chairman of the University's Equality and Diversity Committee, raised the Rainbow Flag and said a few words. The Rainbow Flag will fly outside the Main Entrance for one week.
Buxton - A Rainbow Flag was also raised at Buxton and a message was sent out to all staff asking them to talk with the students about why the flag had been raised.
Derby LGBT Community Forum
As chairman of the LGBT Action Group and a representative of the University of Derby I have continued to attend the monthly meetings of the Derby LGBT Community Forum.
February 2012
Homophobic Bullying
One active member of the group has expressed on-going concerns over a lack of a clear University policy on 'Homophobic Bullying'.
Learning Experiences of LGBT Students
One active member of the group has been carrying out some research on the 'Learning Experiences of LGBT Students'. On Wednesday 28th March 2012 (11.00am - 12.30pm; N103) a session called 'The Learning Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Students: Exploring Student and Staff Perspectives and Needs' will be run as a Staff Development session as part of the 2012 Diversity Month.
Stonewall Diversity Champion
In January 2012 we received feedback from Stonewall on our report last year:
- The University of Derby has jumped 35 places in the Stonewall Index this year - from 237 to 202.
- We scored 92 points out of 200.
- Stonewall said there was a leaner, meaner assessment criteria this year and we have done really well to jump so high.
- This is reflected in the fact that the entry points to get into the top100 has dropped to 130 from 145. Many organisations found it hard to score many points this year.
- 25 organisations left the index this year but 25 new organisations joined. They did not say what the total number of organisations in the index is.
Stonewall are coming into the University in March to give feedback on where we scored highly and where we need to develop to climb further in the index.
The LGBT Action Group would like to thank Nicola Adler for putting together the documentation and submitting it on time.
Taking part in the Stonewall Diversity Champions scheme takes a large portion of the LBGT Action Group budget but there are clear benefits for the University.
Gay History Month
In recognition of Gay History Month the Rainbow Flag was raised outside the Kedleston Road main entrance in early February and remained there all month. It was highly visible and widely noticed. It sends out a strong signal to staff and students regarding the University's commitment to LGBT equality and diversity but requires very little effort.
Derby LGBT Community Forum
As chairman of the LGBT Action Group Graham represents the University of Derby at the monthly meetings of the Derby.
November 2011
- Terms of Referenceand Action Plan - agreed by the group
- Diversity Week 2012 - the chair will input by giving some talks on LGBT issues (titles to be confirmed) and one member of the group will disseminate research findings on experiences of LGBT staff and students at the University
- Homophobic Bullying and Harassment - Student Wellbeing Team will be invited to the next meeting to discuss procedure and support mechanisms for those who are experiencing bullying
- Rainbow Fringe Festival - group agreed part funding for the festival
- Connected - an article of the work of the group will appear in Connected in the next few months following successful articles from the University's Disability and Race Groups.
July 2011
- Publicity for the group - chair will draft a short article for Connected for the start of the next academic year. New E+D Champion will be asked to add some words. Dates for the meetings will be included on intranet from now on
- Blood donation statement - chair reported that the Blood Donation Service might be changing their policy re homosexual men giving blood in this country. Chair will update group and Equality and Diversity Committee in September
- Research findings - the group will receive an update on the research being carried out on academic staff experiences of teaching LGBT students and also the experiences of LGBT students at the University at its meeting in September
- Stonewall submission - chair and secretary of group to co-ordinate this. Deadline: 9 September 2011. Contact Nicola (x 1440) if you would like to comment or be involved in this.
- Derbyshire Pride Event - the University will be running a stall at this event being held on 20 August 2011. Contact Graham if you would like more information
- Leaflets for students - we have recently ordered 50 sets of the following leaflets: accommodation services - supporting gay students and international students's services - supporting gay students. The leaflets have been given to the Student Wellbeing Team for distribution
- Art exhibition on trans people - Derbyshire Friend are looking for a home to house the 'Living My Life' art exhibition in February 2012. Secretary looking into options at the Markeaton site
- Staff Equality Monitoring Data - employees now have the option to update the equality information held on their personnel records via My HR. This information is totally confidential to the individual and the HR Department. Thanks to the group for commenting on this. For more information on this, please click on the E+D monitoring webpage.
- Date of next meeting - 13 September 2011, 12.00
March 2011
- The group appointed a new chair of the LGBT Action Group: Graham Rowe, Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences (EHS).
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Two members of the group agreed to join an LGBT steering group led by
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The group were disappointed to note that the Rainbow Flag had not been raised at the University during Gay History Month in February. The group agreed to ensure it would be raised on the International Day Against Homophobia on 17 May 2011.
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The group gave comments on a research proposal about the experiences of staff and students with regard to LGBT issues at the University.
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The group also gave comments on the statement about the new function to collect equality data on My HR.
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The group has been asked to input on Derbyshire Pride event on 9 July and the Derbyshire Rainbow Fringe Festival.
