Celebrating LGBT+ History Month

Thank you to all who have taken part in our programme of LGBT+ History Month events, including the annual Wolfenden seminar and lecture earlier this month. You can watch the Wolfenden Lecture, Why We Are Not All Equal, on Microsoft Teams using this link.

There are still many more opportunities to explore LGBT+ culture across the next few weeks and beyond, including our first Bi Inclusion Training session. Below you will find details of events coming up, plus some interesting blogs and articles that have recently been published across our University pages.  

Bi Inclusion Training Session

Monday 22 February, 11:00 - 12:00

Please join Dr Allán Laville (Dean for Diversity and Inclusion), Rachel Wates (RUSU Diversity Officer) and Bern Roper (Bi* Rep of the LGBT+ Student Society) for our first dedicated training session on Bi inclusion. The course will explore the different terms used to describe Bi identities, the prejudice and discrimination experienced by the Bi community, and guidance on how to be a positive Bi ally.

There is still time to sign up - staff can book a place via UoRLearn, while students can email diversity@reading.ac.uk to register.

Trans Inclusion training sessions 

Wednesday 24 March, 10:30 - 12:30

Monday 17 May, 10:30 - 12:30

If you haven't already attended one of our regular Trans Inclusion training sessions, we encourage you to do so. The training looks at the range and variety of lived experiences of people who identify as Transgender, common misconceptions, the extensive variables the term covers and much more.

The training is available for University staff, and you can book your place via UoRLearn.

RUSU events for students

Reading University Students' Union (RUSU) continue to hold LGBT+ themed events and discussions for students this month - for details, please visit rusu.co.uk or contact Rachel Wates, RUSU Diversity Officer 2020/21.

Useful articles

We would like to draw your attention to two recent articles from our community, written especially for LGBT+ Month:

• #DiverseReading - Pronouns: an insightful blog about the significance of pronouns in the LGBT+ community - why they matter, and how to respectfully check if you are addressing someone in the way they wish to be.
• Connected - We're Not There Yet: our alumni magazine, CONNECTED, interviewed Professor Alina Tryfonidou and Dr Ruvi Ziegler, co-chairs of the LGBT+ Network about the support offered at Reading and the ongoing challenges faced by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

LGBT+ Network

Don't forget you are welcome to join the LGBT+ Network as both a member of our staff LGBT community and as an ally. Details of how to join are available on our Diversity and Equality Networks page.