Support and Allyship

How you can be an Ally for the LGBTQ+ Community

Gender Pronouns

Gender pronouns are a means of identifying ourselves in a way other than our name. You may use someone’s gender pronouns when referring to them in conversation, and it can be a very simple way to affirm a person’s identity when speaking to them.

Adding your pronouns to your email signature will allow others to feel comfortable and recognised, and feel safer if they share theirs – you can add them after your name as below:

Your Name (she/her) (he/him) (they/them) (ze/zir)

Job Title
Department
Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
Telephone number
aston.ac.uk

You can also add you pronouns as a status message on teams and introduce yourself using your pronouns in meetings. If you are referring to a group of people you can also use more inclusive language, such as folks, everyone, team, rather than guys.

Policies and letters can also be written without gendered pronouns.

Rainbow Lanyards

Rainbow lanyards are another way to show you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or you are an ally, and are available from the HR helpdesk for staff and the IT helpdesk for students and staff. The LGBTQ+ Staff Network has put together some information about what the lanyards represent, including further information about the LGBTQ+ community and some key terminology. If you have any further questions, please get in touch.

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Trans/LGBTQ+ Hate Posters/Stickers Warning

Trans/LGBTQ+ Hate posters and stickers have recently been placed on the back of toilet doors in locations around Birmingham. If you see one of these posters or stickers, please do not attempt to take it down as some of them have blades have been placed underneath, intended to harm anyone trying to remove them, please report the posters or stickers to the owner of the establishment. Fortunately, none have been seen on Aston campus, but if you do come across any, please report them to Security who will ensure they are safely removed.

LGBTQ+ Community in Birmingham outside of Aston University Campus

Birmingham has a large LGBTQ+ community, and there are lots of opportunities outside of Aston University campus to get involved:

  • The University of Birmingham are hosting a number of events this month to celebrate LGBTQ+ History month, which are open to students and staff at Aston University. You can find out more about the events and book a place.
     
  • Birmingham Pride is the UK's largest two-day LGBTQ+ Pride festival. Aston University will be joining the other five higher education institutions in Birmingham, made up of students and staff from each institution, on the UNIfied at Pride float which will be making its way through the City. Please contact Dani Burrell if you would like to be involved this year.
     
  • Birmingham LGBT is a charity that advocates for and supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in Birmingham and beyond. The space is often used by various social groups that you can join!
     
  • Shout is Birmingham’s Annual Festival of Queer Art & Culture Taking place at venues across the city, SHOUT celebrates and platforms the work of LGBTQ+ artists and communities.
     
  • Online
     
  • Modern Queers
     
  • Midlands Arts Centre