LJMU recognised for welcoming gay students
LJMU is one of only six universities in the country to score top marks in an annual guide for gay students.
Gay By Degree, produced by Stonewall, the LGBT rights charity, measures each university against ten criteria to show how well they support their gay students.
The checklist includes whether the university has a policy to tackle homophobic bullying, whether there are societies and events for gay students, and what steps they take to support gay staff.
LJMU scored ten out of ten, alongside the University of Essex, Cardiff University, Sheffield Hallam University, York St John University and the University of Glasgow. This is the second time that LJMU has met all ten criteria.
LJMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Weatherill said: “As a truly inclusive university which champions equal rights for all, it is vitally important to us that everyone who studies or works at the University has a positive experience. We are very proud to receive official acknowledgement via Gay By Degree 2015 that we are succeeding in this aim.”
Stonewall Education Policy and Campaigns Officer, Hannah Kibirige said: “There are a record number of university places available this year and prospective students who are lesbian, gay or bisexual will want to study where they will be supported and developed. Particular congratulations are due to LJMU, Cardiff University, University of Essex, University of Glasgow and Sheffield Hallam University for being the only universities in Britain to score full marks.
“It’s particularly concerning that only 35 universities are monitoring students’ sexual orientation, leaving them no way of telling if they’re providing a positive experience for gay students. Universities also risk on missing out on a huge pool of talent with eight in ten failing to actively reach out to potential LGBT students or engage with the local community on LGB issues. We hope that this year’s findings prompt action by the higher education sector to consider the needs of all their students, regardless of sexual orientation.”
LJMU’s achievement in the Gay By Degree checklist follows the announcement earlier this year that LJMU is the UK’s most gay-friendly university in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers list.
For further information about the annual guide, see www.gaybydegree.org.uk
