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Out@UCL is a network to give LGBTQ+ staff, students and visitors an inclusive environment.
What is Out@UCL?
Out@UCL is a staff social network. It is a way for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) staff and post-grads at UCL to get to know each other and take part in social events.
The group was set up in July 2009 as some LGBTQ+ staff felt that, in an organisation as big as UCL, it was difficult to get to know people in other departments, especially other LGBTQ+ people.
What does the network do?
The group networks via lunches and evening events. There are also Teams and email groups for members to communicate virtually and share information about LGBTQ+ related events, publications and news stories.
Is it the same as the LGBTQ+ Steering Group?
No, the LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group (LESG) is a policy group which meets every couple of months to discuss how to implement equalities legislation in the workplace and promote LGBTQ+ equality.
How do I become a member?
If you would like to become a member of the network:
This is a great space for staying up-to-date on LGBTQ+ news and events, as well as informally networking with fellow LGBTQ+ staff and postgraduate students.
This email list is used to disseminate relevant events and bulletins.
Allies
Although Out@UCL is primarily a network for LGBTQ+ staff and postgrad students, allies are very welcome. If you would like to be an ally, you are encouraged to consider joining the Friends of Out@UCL group.
By becoming a Friend of Out@UCL you agree to be an active ally. Your commitment will help to make UCL a safer, more supportive place to work.
Join the Friends of Out@UCL Mailing List
To join either of the above mailing lists you will need to use your UCL email address, and you will need to be directly logged-in to the UCL network.
Get your hands on a UCL progressive lanyard
If you are a member of staff or a research student at UCL and identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you can get your hands on one of our inclusive lanyards.
*Unfortunately, we currently do not have any lanyards. As soon as we have secured additional budget to purchase some more, we will update this page to let you know.
Resources
LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group
qUCL - Research on Sexual and Gender Diversity at UCL
LEIG Action Plan
The LGBTQ+ Equality Implementation Group (LEIG) has been created to further enable UCL to understand and support the concerns and priorities of our members of the LGBTQ+ community. The LEIG operates as a task and finish group, projected to conclude by the end of November 2023.
News Bulletins
08/02/2022
UCL and Stonewall
I am writing to you in advance of a central communication due imminently, declaring a decision that UCL will not re-join either the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index or the Diversity Champions programme.
This decision has been reached following a vote by Academic Board which recommended UCL should not re-join the Stonewall schemes. In recent weeks, the process of reviewing UCL’s relationship with Stonewall has also been voted on by UCL’s LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group (LESG), Out@UCL, Friends of Out@UCL, UCU, Unison, EDI Committee. All of these committees and groups voted to re-join both schemes, some with significant majorities.
Whilst these votes also represent sub-communities within UCL, we feel their viewpoints are surely of no lesser importance than that of Academic Board. Each of those votes concluded that membership of Stonewall does not impact negatively on academic freedom, which is opposite to the view accepted by Academic Board.
During the Academic Board debate on Stonewell, despite a matter which directly relates to trans people’s experiences and rights at UCL being discussed in detail, there was absolutely no trans representation and no recognition was given that LGBTQI+ members of the Academic Board might have particular insights into the issues discussed. The views of trans people as expressed through LESG, Out@UCL and other committees have been disregarded, as have those of the wider LGBTQI+ community at UCL.
We condemn the decision solely based on the vote by Academic Board and would like to take this opportunity to remind UCL’s LGBTQI+ community that there remains strong support from members of the wider UCL community.
We recognise that this will be distressing news to many, and we feel that both the decision and the timing of the announcement are unnecessarily vindictive and insensitive to the LGBTQI+ community at UCL, especially as we are about to start the winter vacation.
I want to reassure LGBTQI+ staff and students that the members of the LGBTQI+ Equalities Steering Group will continue to advocate on issues which impact the community at UCL and ensure that the university maintains its stated commitment to supporting all staff and students and the Provost’s own personal commit to “make sure our people our taken care of”.
Best wishes, Noël
Noël Caliste
Chair of UCL LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group & Out@UCL
UCL LGBTQ+ Equality Envoy