The Equality Act also protects transgender people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Anyone who decides to, starts to or has completed the process of changing their gender (with or without medical intervention) is protected under the Act.
The Students’ Union has an LGBTQ+ Officer on the Student Leadership Team – they are in post to represent the needs and views of the LGBTQ+ student community here at Aston and ensure your university experience is the best it can possibly be. You can drop them a message through Instagram.
Aston LGBT+ Society aims to represent, throw events, celebrate culture and provide a safe space to socialise for LGBTQ+ and allied students.
Listening Ear is a pastoral support drop-in service based on campus. It offers the following support for students, regardless of religious affiliation: confidential, non-judgemental listening; help in times of distress; signposting to specialist sources of help (including faith contacts if you wish).
There are a variety of mentoring schemes available at Aston which are designed to enable students, alumni and professionals alike to have the opportunity to support the Aston student community, develop skills, expand networks and share experiences. You will have the opportunity to engage in mentoring activities at every stage of your learning journey.
The following organisations and resources can offer further support and advice:
Equality and Human Rights Commission: sexual orientation discrimination - Find out more about the Equality Act and what it says about sexual orientation discrimination.
Equality and Human Rights Commission: gender reassignment discrimination - Find out more about the Equality Act and what it says about gender reassignment discrimination.
TARGETjobs: equality and diversity issues, and your graduate job hunt - You can find advice on a range of key equality and diversity issues in this article. They look at your rights during the recruitment process, disclosing information to your employers and more.
Birmingham LGBT - A registered charity, the vision of Birmingham LGBT is to create a vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community in Birmingham so individuals can realise their full potential and have equal access to what the city has to offer.
Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers - This is a definitive list of UK-based organisations that promote inclusion across all protected characteristics, throughout each level of employment within their organisation.
Proud Employers - The only jobsite which caters exclusively for LGBTQ+ people and their allies. Part of Stonewall, they aim to help candidates find roles with organisations committed to true diversity and inclusion for their employees.
Starting out 2018/19: an LGBTQ+ careers guide by Stonewall - This handy guide contains information and resources about being LGBTQ+ in the workplace, tips for identifying an inclusive employer, insights into different sectors and stories from LGBTQ+ role models across the world of work.
Stonewall Top 100 Employers list - Discover the best employers for LGBTQ+ people in 2020.
Totaljobs Guides - If you’ve got questions about work equality, take a look at these expert guides from Totaljobs which cover topics such as how to ask for a pay rise, gender transitioning in the workplace, what it’s like to be deaf in the workplace and more.
We have a couple of posts on our blog which you may find useful. One is written by an Aston staff member and explores his experience of being gay in the workplace, and the other is written by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and shares tips for LGBTQ+ students transitioning from university to the workplace.
Paige Dawson, the Students’ Union’s LGBTQ+ Officer (2020/21), also hosted a Q&A on our Instagram account. She answered students’ questions about being a good ally to LGBTQ+ colleagues, finding out if an employer is inclusive, sharing your gender identity and sexuality with colleagues, and more.
Stonewall: Global Workplace Briefings
In a number of countries around the world, LGBTQ+ people may not be protected from discrimination under law – being LGBTQ+ may also be illegal in some places. The Global Workplace Briefings, produced by Stonewall, provide information about the legal, socio-cultural and workplace situation for LGBTQ+ people in different countries. The briefings also contain links to support groups/organisations that may exist for people in those countries.
If you’re considering an international placement or working abroad, we highly recommend you take a look at the briefings beforehand for workplace practices and personal safety.
Find out more about how you can find jobs abroad.
There are a range of programmes, initiatives and events which are designed specifically for LGBTQ+ students and graduates. Some of these open up or take place at various points throughout the year. We’ve listed some below, as well as a selection of inclusive jobs portals which you could use to look for opportunities:
AuthentiCity: a careers event for LGBTQ+ students
AuthentiCity is a virtual event, supported by Stonewall and Just Like Us, created exclusively for LGBTQ+ students looking to explore career opportunities in London.
DiversCity in Law event
DiversCity in Law is an award-winning, annual event where LGBTQ+ students who want to pursue a legal career in London can find out all about legal careers and get advice from those already in the sector.
Inside & Out: LGBTQ+ investment banking event
Inside & Out is designed to help LGBTQ+ students develop an understanding of the investment banking sector while addressing any concerns you may have in relation to being LGBTQ+ in the workplace.
National Student Pride
National Student Pride is the biggest gathering of LGBTQ+ students in the UK. The annual event features talks and debates with inspirational activists, pride parties and the UK’s largest queer-inclusive recruitment fair.
TARGETjobs
TARGETjobs have created a series of events to give students the advice, confidence and contacts they need to secure their dream career. They also run the annual Undergraduate of the Year Awards which has a category for the LGBT+ Undergraduate of the Year Award.
VERCIDA
VERCIDA is the UK’s largest diversity and inclusion-focused career hub for recruiters and jobseekers. As well as promoting jobs with inclusive employers, they provide resources for a range of applicants including, those with disabilities, those aged over 50, LGBTQ+ applicants, religious applicants and more.