LGBT+

If you feel like you have been the victim of a hate crime, you can access the 'Stop Hate UK' button from the desktop on any computer in Hugh Baird College.

Your concern goes straight to the Hate Crime reporting services in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the Stop Hate UK website.

We work in partnership with these services and with the Sigma Unit of Merseyside Police and together, we will be able to take a collaborative approach to stop hate crime in our local area.

You can also always speak to Student Services if you ever feel unfairly treated, intimidated or bullied in any way. Or, you can send a confidential message to the safeguarding officers at Hugh Baird College by emailing safeguarding@hughbaird.ac.uk.

Students who would like support with gender or sexuality can access The POD Student Services, which offers;

• A safe, positive and inclusive space for LGBT+ students.
• Support with sexual orientation, sexuality and gender identity.
• Family support resources.
• Support from a range of external partner organisations.
• LGBT+ student group.

Downloads

• A guide to the LGBTQ community
• Supporting your LGBTQA child
• What parents need to know about gender identity

• 42% of LGBT+ school pupils have been bullied in the past year, double the number of non-LGBT+ pupils (21%).
• Half of LGBT students hear homophobic slurs 'frequently' or 'often' at school.

Taken from Just Like Us Growing Up LGBT+ (2021), The School Report (2017) and The Teachers’ Report (2014).

• Two in five LGBT students (42%) have hidden their identity at university for fear of discrimination.

• More than a third of trans students (36%) and seven per cent of lesbian, gay and bi students who aren’t trans faced negative comments or conduct from university staff because they’re LGBT.

Students intend to be more open about their sexual orientation and gender identity in higher education, with overall levels of openness increasing from 64% at school to an expected 82% at university or college. When researching university choices, around a third (31%) of LGBT+ students paid specific attention to LGBT+ services. These included mental health support services (47% extremely interested) and university or college reputation in equality and diversity (46% extremely interested). 30% were extremely interested in LGBT+ societies and 21% were extremely interested in support networks for LGBT+ students.

Taken from LGBT in Britain: University (2018) and Next Steps: What is the experience of LGBT+ students in education? (2021)

These facts show that LGBT+ phobia still exists. At Hugh Baird College we don’t want any of our students to be part of these statistics. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive environment for everyone including those that fall into a protected characteristic. We do this by embedding an inclusive culture into our practice, for example all staff and students wear rainbow lanyards to show commitment and support and LGBT+ inclusivity is embedded into our policies and procedures.

At Hugh Baird College, we are committed to diversity and inclusion. We would like all our students to experience a safe and happy learning environment, free from bullying and harassment.

We are proud to support our LGBT+ students, and are currently working toward the Rainbow Flag Award, through The Proud Trust, which demonstrates our commitment to our LGBT+ learners. The Proud Trust is a youth organisation who work primarily with LGBT+ young people.

We have a wealth of support available, cross-College events and workshops, and through our LGBT+ Champions, we are increasing visibility so students know when, where and how to access support. We also work with – and sign-post learners to – partner organisations for support outside of College hours.

For more information, contact Janine Hopewell on janine.hopewell@hughbaird.ac.uk or call on 0151 353 4462.

We’re always looking for student advocates to take a more active role in the promotion of LGBT+ issues across Hugh Baird College.

Join our LGBT+ focus group by emailing janine.hopewell@hughbaird.ac.uk.

• What is sexuality and gender identity?

• Student Equality and Diversity Policy
• Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying Policy

• Identity words and definitions
• The Genderbread Person