A University campus is a place where lively, ambitious and diverse people come together to learn, experiment, challenge ideas and all the time grow personally and professionally from the experience. Universities aim to nurture these interests throughout their community, laying the foundation for unlocking potential and harnessing talent.
No matter who we are, there is so much which brings us together. Throughout June, July and August Pride is celebrated around the country, and across the Irish university sector students, staff and various groups are planning events and activities throughout the summer to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community on their campuses.
There are plenty of ways you can get involved with the Pride celebrations and allyship. To learn more, check out our #UniversityPride page for upcoming events and testimonial videos spotlighting LGBTQ+ staff and students, who they are and what their experience of being LGBTQ+ in third-level and in the wider world, is like.
GET INVOLVED: Join a club or society, take part in an event, sign-up for a staff network.
Voices from our Universities and beyond...
Name and Title:
Paula Fagan
CEO, LGBT Ireland (She/Her)
Link: Find out more
Description: "An inclusive workplace or environment, where people feel valued and accepted, means an employee or student can focus on reaching their full potential. It is important to ensure that you are providing equity in opportunity, ensuring every part of the system is accessible to LGBTI+ people and that everybody has access to what they need." Paula Fagan, CEO of LGBT Ireland She/Her
Twitter: @LGBT_IE
Name and Title:
Moninne Griffith
CEO of BeLonG To (She/Her)
Link: Find out more
Description: “Universities are excellently placed to foster a culture of inclusivity and acceptance when they work collectively and collaboratively to centre the needs of staff and students from marginalised communities. In order to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ staff and students, universities must acknowledge the intersecting forms of discrimination these people may face and provide robust supports, policies, and practices that work to challenge them; creating a climate in which staff and students can thrive and reach their potential.” Moninne Griffith, CEO of BeLonG To She/Her
Twitter: @Belong_To
Name and Title:
Tina Kolos Orban
Chief Executive Officer, Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) (they/them)
Link: Find out more
Description: "Universities have a responsibility to create safe and welcoming environments for everyone to express themselves freely, without fear or shame, and in which gender diversity is also a celebrated part of the richness of the human experience. Creating an open and safe culture means building inclusion into all systems: including opening conversations around name and pronoun use, expanding gender and name change processes, and proactively including trans people in sports and other activities. Universities also have to adequately respond to transphobia as it arises both within the college culture and when targeted against individual trans students or members of staff." Tina Kolos Orban, Chief Executive Officer, Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) they/them
Twitter: @TENI_Tweets
Dr John Gilmore (He/They)
Asst Professor in Nursing, UCD
Aoife Cooke (She/Her) Head of Equal Opportunities, University of Galway
UCC LGBTQ+ Staff Network
Cameron Keighron (They/Them)
PhD student at University of Galway & Director of AMACH LGBTQ+ Charity
University of Limerick Rainbow Housing
Read UL’s Press Release on Rainbow Housing
The IUA universities aim to provide an inclusive environment which promotes equality, and values diversity. We are committed to maintaining an environment of dignity and respect where all staff and students can develop to their full potential.
Our university communities strive to value and encourage all members, irrespective of gender identity, and to respect and recognise diverse gender identities and gender expressions. We acknowledge that gender identity and expression is a positive, core part, of being human and experiencing wellbeing and fulfilment.
This policy statement outlines the IUA universities’ formal commitment to the principle that recognises and supports an individual’s gender identity and gender expression, so that all members of the university community experience a positive and inclusive environment, where every member is treated with dignity and respect.
We acknowledge that gender is not a binary construct, and we support the concept and expression of gender as a spectrum.
Policy Principles
IUA universities are committed to the following policy principles within their universities.
- We seek to provide a supportive environment for staff and students.
- Discrimination (direct or indirect) on the grounds of gender identity gender expression, or perceived gender identity and/or expression will not be tolerated.
- We support an inclusive environment of dignity and respect where everyone can develop to their full potential. We do not tolerate harassment or bullying of staff, students, or other members of a university community on the basis of gender identity or expression.
- We respect the privacy of all transgender (trans) and non-binary individuals and will not reveal information related to their trans or non-binary status without their prior agreement and recognising our GDPR obligations regarding the processing of personal information.
- We support and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for staff and students related to gender affirming healthcare and/or the process of transitioning, in accordance with the Code of Practice Applying to the Employment of People with Disabilities and the relevant university student procedures.
- We will facilitate staff, students and alumni seeking to update their personal records to match their gender identity and expression by providing clear and easily accessible guidelines on processes.
- We encourage and facilitate staff and student training and awareness to ensure a supportive environment.
- We are committed to removing unnecessary gender distinctions within the higher education environment.
University Networks, Societies & Supports for Staff and Students
Dublin City University
Maynooth University
Trinity College Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Galway
