Leicester University promotes LGBT+ inclusivity
As Leicester Pride approaches, a programme to recognise LGBT+ inclusivity, set up by University of Leicester alongside other local organisations, is looking to expand through the region in the coming year.
The LGBT+ Inclusion Award was set up in 2019 by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion teams at the University of Leicester, in partnership with De Montfort University, Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Leicester LGBT Centre.
The award recognises organisations across the region that show commitment to LGBT+ inclusive practices. Those that successfully pass an independent assessment receive the LGBT+ Inclusion Award certificate to display on their premises and are invited to attend an awards ceremony.
Dr Faye McCarthy, Senior Equality Diversity and Inclusion Officer at University of Leicester, said: “The setting up of this award scheme was the result of real, constructive collaboration with other community organisations in the area. We are looking forward to involving organisations, large and small, and seeing the LGBT+ Inclusivity Award certificate appear in shop and office windows across the Leicester region.”
Bernard Greaves, pioneering gay rights activist and consultant to the Leicester LGBT Centre said, when receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Leicester last year: “Many people don’t know the extent to which this University champions LGBT issues, that it holds the archive for Joe Orton, the outstanding young, gay playwright half a century ago, who met his death through murder; the Department of Criminology’s pioneering work on homophobic and transphobic hate crime; and the efforts of providing for the welfare of LGBT students on campus.”
As part of the pilot scheme the University of Leicester, along with eight other organisations, attended a regional award ceremony and received an LGBT+ Inclusion Award certificate, having demonstrated evidence of an LGBT+ learning and teaching environment for our LGBT+ staff and student community, and created an action plan to continue to advance LGBT+ equality at the University.
Organisations of all sizes across Leicester and Leicestershire interested in the award should email the Leicester LGBT Centre inclusion@leicesterlgbtcentre.org for more information.