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LGBTI Supports

LGBTI Supports

Page Updated: 19 May 2023

UCD statement against LGBTI+ hate crimes and hate related incidents

University College Dublin (UCD) has no tolerance for anti-LGBTI+ violence, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and intersexism of any kind.

The rise in anti-LGBTI+ violence in Ireland is deeply upsetting. Hate crime statistics published by (opens in a new window)An Garda Síochána in March 2023 indicate that there has been a 29% increase in reported hate crimes & hate related (non-crime) incidents with 582 hate crimes & hate related (non-crime) incidents recorded in 2022 (448 in 202). Sexual orientation was cited as the second most prevalent discriminatory motive after racist attacks. UCD condemns racist and LGBTI+ violence and all hate-related incidents and crimes. 

This is in contrast to the positive groundswell of support via referendum for marriage equality, and the affirmation of gender identity through the introduction of the Gender Recognition Act in 2015. Through education, research, engagement, supports, and the promotion of allyship, UCD seeks to continue to support LGBTI+ communities on campus and in wider society. 

At UCD we recognise that the rise in anti-LGBTI+ violence and hate related incidents impacts our community. Should you or anyone impacted need support, please see the details of UCD supports and external supports below.

Professor Colin Scott, Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

How to Report Incidents

UCD is committed to the promotion of an environment for work and study which upholds the dignity and respect of the individual and which supports every individual’s right to study and/or work in an environment which is free of any form of harassment, intimidation or bullying. ‌If you need to report a incident occurred in UCD, you have a range of options, both formal and informal, and supports:

External LGBTI+ Supports

(opens in a new window)LGBT Ireland National Helpline - 1800 929 539

(opens in a new window)BeLonGTo LGBTQ Young People - 01 670 6223 (we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Text LGBTI+ to 086 1800 280 anytime when you need support. Standard SMS rates may apply.

(opens in a new window)TENI Transgender Equality Network Ireland - 01 873 3575

Gender Identity Family Support Line - 01 907 3707

Donate

(opens in a new window)https://www.belongto.org/donate/ 

(opens in a new window)https://lgbt.ie/fundraising/

(opens in a new window)https://teni.ie/donate/  

Below you will find more information on various supports for LGBTI+ identifying staff and students, as well as links to previous events hosted in the University. UCD is proud of its inclusive culture which is central to making your time at UCD a positive and welcoming experience. We are committed to follow the UCD values by showing respect for and be inclusive of diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. 

Gender Identity and Expression Policy - Summary

Gender identity and expression is a positive, core part, of being human and experiencing wellbeing and fulfilment. UCD celebrates its diverse community of employees and students and their diverse gender identities and expression. Fundamental equality and inclusion in UCD’s community is central to our University’s ethos of academic excellence and integrity and our aspiration to be leaders in our society.

Updating Pronouns on Zoom and Email Signatures

Sharing pronouns on Zoom communicates how you would like to express your gender and how others can respectfully refer to one another. Adding your pronouns lets others know that you want to be inclusive and respectful of trans and gender non-binary employees and students in UCD.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education eLearning

The "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education" eLearning course on UCD LearnUpon includes a section on gender identity (Module 4, Section 4.) The course is a fundamental introduction to EDI in a University context, and the module on "Putting Policy into Practice" includes key information and guidance to ensure that UCD is an inclusive environment. The section on gender identity covers important facts, statistics, and supports in this area. Find out more about this eLearning course and how to complete it on dedicated Learning Supports page. 

Facilities

All single stall bathrooms across Campus are gender neutral. New signage to reflect this policy change will be implemented in 2018. See the (opens in a new window)UCD map for gender inclusive facilities.

Ten Tips for LGBTI+ Inclusion

Raising awareness lets your colleagues know that you are against the discrimination and violence of LGBTI people.  UCD has provided Top Ten Tips to encourage UCD employees to visibly and proactively show their support for the inclusion of LGBTI staff and students in the University Community:

  1. Add your (opens in a new window)pronouns to your email singature
  2. Promote UCD’s Gender Identity and Expression Policy and LGBTI Initiatives
  3. Know the law: (opens in a new window)The Employment Equality Acts (2015) outlaw discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity. 
  4. Address Homophobic, Biphobic, Transphobic and Intersexist Behaviour
  5. Promote Supports for LGBTI Staff and Students (an extensive list of supports can be found below)
  6. Don't assume everyone is heterosexual or that their gender identity corresponds with their birth sex
  7. Be mindful of your own assumptions and choice of language - this (opens in a new window)glossary of terms may be useful.
  8. Participate in University LGBTI Inclusion Initiatives in your School/Unit
  9. Respect Confidentiality - in terms of sexual orientation, gender idenity or sex.
  10. Demonstrate Leadership - you can lead by example and postiviely influence UCD's culture.

For anyone experiencing issues in relation to thier gender identity, a number of supports are available for employees and students.

Supports are available to all employees, and their immediate family, through the Employee Assistance Service (EAS). The EAS is a confidential counselling and information service independent of UCD to assist all employees in dealing with personal issues that could pose a threat to our health, well-being, relationships or employment.

Student supports are available from the Student Advisers and the Student Counselling Service. The Student Counselling service is a free and confidential service staffed by professionally qualified psychologists and counsellors which provides easily accessible support for students when personal issues arise that affect their happiness, well-being, capacity to cope, relationships or learning.

Gender Identity Family Support Line: 01 907 3703. In operation every 2nd and 4th Friday from 6-9pm 

Internal Supports

  • The LGBTI Group is a subgroup of the EDI Group. You can find information on the members and their Terms of Reference on the LGBTI Group page.
  • The LGBTI Staff Network is one of UCD's EDI Networks and is a great opportunity for employees to connect with UCD’s LGBTI Community. More information on the EDI Networks webpage
  • Off-campus engagement and well-being programmes are available during the period of Covid-19 – check out the Culture & Engagement Website for further information.
  • Do not miss the UCD Staff Ezine regularly for upcoming Parents webinars and events. 
  • UCD has launched the new Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Peer Support Group. The members are trained in Mental Health First Aid and offer support and information to colleagues who are feeling overwhelmed and are concerned about their mental wellbeing. While Covid-19 restrictions are in place, UCD MHFA Peer Support Group will be reachable via Zoom as opposed to face-to-face.
External Supports

LGBT Ireland: (opens in a new window)LGBT Ireland is a national support service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people and their families and friends.

TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland): (opens in a new window)TENI seeks to improve the situation and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. Our Vision is an Ireland where trans people are understood, accepted and respected, and can participate fully in all aspects of Irish society.

FLAC LGBTQI+ Legal Clinic: Free Legal Advise Centres is committed to providing a welcome and confidential environment for LGBTQI+ people seeking legal advice. Building on previous initiatives, FLAC has established a pilot (opens in a new window)LGBTQI+ free legal clinic in order to meet the specific needs of the gay and trans community. This clinic was launched on the 31st May 2022 is funded until the end of August 2022.

Diversity Data recording on the Employee Self-Service (ESS) Portal

University staff are invited to update or amend their diversity data confidentially and voluntarily in the Core ESS diversity data page.  The development of this page marks a significant move forward for the University in the area of Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). This tool allows the University will collect data across all equality grounds  including gender identity and sexual orientation for existing employees and it is hoped that this will assist us in getting a clearer understanding of the diversity makeup within the University community and to help us achieve our EDI and University strategic objectives. 

How to update your Diversity details: 

To update your diversity details please follow the instructions below:

  1. Click (opens in a new window)Go to the Employee Self Service portal and, if required, log in using your UCD Username and password and follow all prompts.
  2. This will bring you to the ESS homepage. On the top/upper-left corner, click on the circle (containing your initials) next to your name which will open a new page.
  3. On the next page, click the Diversity tab on the left-hand side. This will reveal the dropdown options called page 1 and page 2.
  4. Please update your diversity details on Page 1 and click Save (bottom right) to record your diversity details before moving to page 2. 
  5. Once finished on page 2, please click save (bottom right) to record your diversity details.

* If you do not click save, any details which you have updated will not be saved.

We would encourage all employees to review their diversity details regularly to ensure they are correct and up to date.

If you have problems logging in or don't know your university username or password, please contact HR via email to (opens in a new window)hrhelpdesk@ucd.ie . If you have any questions about the information shown in Employee Self-Service Diversity page, please contact the EDI Office via email to (opens in a new window)edi@ucd.ie.

Why are we collecting this data:

Under the (opens in a new window)Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 and Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, all public higher education institutions must undertake equality assessment and monitoring. This is in addition to having policies and plans to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of staff, students and the wider public that are served by the work of the higher education institution.
 
The collection of EDI data has become an increasing priority within the higher education sector, with a recent announcement of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) that third-level institutions will be required to provide annual statistics on certain diversity characteristics of their employees (gender, ethnicity). UCD is one of many institutions that have launched this type of tool in recent years.

Events & Further Resources

Five Films for Freedom 15 – 26 March 2023

Five Films For Freedom is a global, online short film programme in support of LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer) rights, in partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. Every year, five LGBTQIA+ themed short films are made available for the world to watch online for free, over the 12 days of the BFI Flare Festival. Through our global network in more than 100 countries, we encourage people to watch the films in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities.

(opens in a new window)More information on the programme

Below you will find information on previous events hosted by the University to mark Pride, IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia), Transgender Awareness Week, LGBTI History Month and more. You can also access resources created for these events which may be useful to you. 

Past, Present, Pride: UCD x MoLI Interview Series

Launched in 2020, Past/Present/Pride is a series of filmed conversations celebrating LGBTI+ writers. Hosted by psychologist Dr Paul D’Alton, Past/Present/Pride reflects on the work of writers that have witnessed significant social change for members of the LGBTI+ communities in Ireland & beyond.

Episode 5: Seán Hewitt

For pervious episodes please click here

UCD Gender Identity and Expression Policy wins CIPD Diversity and Inclusion Award

In February 2019, UCD's new Gender Identity and Expression Policy was the CIPD Diversity and Inclusion winner at the 2019 CIPD HR Awards. 

EDI Representatives receiving the CIPD Award

The development of UCD’s Gender Identity and Expression policy was a radical initiative that led to cultural transformation within UCD and impacts over 40,000 students, employees and visitors. As part of an innovative approach to policy development there was University-wide consultation and training of front-line staff, all contributing to embedding outcomes to support gender identity and expression. 

The judges were impressed with the thoughtful design and implementation, the co-creation and inclusive approach with students and staff and then the influencing of significant structural changes to buildings. This initiative redefined the boundaries of the HR role and demonstrated how HR built a strong voice that delivered impact and scale.

Contact UCD Equality Diversity and Inclusion

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
E: edi@ucd.ie