Transgender Day of Remembrance flag raising

Colleagues, students and members of the community are invited to join a flag raising on campus to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance on Wednesday 20 November.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance that honours the memory of  Transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

The University will be flying the Transgender flag again this year in support of transgender equality. We aim to continue the legacy of our former Vice-Chancellor, Lord Wolfenden, by promoting diversity and tolerance in our research, teaching, and support for all who work and study here.

Flag raising details

Colleagues are invited to gather at 13:00 on Wednesday 20 November at the flagpole between Whiteknights House and Edith Morley on Whiteknights campus.

Speakers at the event will include Professor Peter Miskell, Pro-Vice Chancellor Education & Student Experience; Professor Allán Laville, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Diversity and Inclusion; and Kayleigh Fryer, LGBTQIA+ Staff Network Steering Group Committee member.

Representatives from Reading Students’ Union will also be present, including Violet Headley, Trans Students’ Officer; Gabe James, Inclusion and Communities Officer; and Issy Small, LGBTQ+ Officer.

Please be aware that there will be readings of some of the names of  transgender people whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

There will be 10 chairs available, otherwise the event will be standing. If you have any accessibility requirements please email diversity@reading.ac.uk and we will do our best to accommodate these. Please wear suitable warm clothing and bring an umbrella or waterproof jacket if needed.

The event will conclude at 13:40.

Quiet spaces and support

Room 227 in Edith Morley is available from 13:00-14:45 for staff as a quiet space during or after the event.

Kayleigh Fryer, LGBTQIA+ Staff Network Steering Group Committee member, and Laura Martin, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, will be available for any colleagues who wish to talk after the flag raising.

Additionally, the Reading Students Union (RSU) Boardroom is available from 13:00-15:30 as a quiet space for students, with a Trans Meet-Up held for students in the Students’ Union, led by Violet Headley, Trans Students’ Officer; and Rae Douglas, LGBT+ Chaplain, starting at 13:40.

Reading SU vigil

In additional to the flag raising, the Students’ Union is hosting a vigil event in 3SIXTY as part of the Reading Pride MyUmbrella LGBT+ project.

Staff are welcome to attend.

Training and development

You can sign up for  training and development sessions through UoRLearn

Trans Awareness Training

18 November, 13:00 – 15:00, online

This session is run by Christian, a motivational transgender speaker who uses his own personal journey of discovery to enlighten and inspire.

This session is designed for anyone who wants to understand, empathise and gain a greater understanding of the journey of transition of Transgender people.

Introducing Allyship and the LGBT+ Ally Staff Network

This training has been updated and is designed to help individuals explore allyship in the context of LGBTQIA+ and foster a more inclusive workplace.

Everyone is welcome to participate in this training, whether you are cisgender and heterosexual and looking to support the LGBTQIA+ community, or if you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and want to become a better ally to another group within the community.

Upcoming dates:

• Wednesday 20 November 2024, 12:00 – 13:00
• Thursday 20 February 2025, 12:00 – 13:00
• Thursday 19 June 2025, 12:00 – 13:00