University of Bolton|

Gender and Sexual Orientation

Gender  

Click on the photos below to read what our students of both genders write about us: 

   Zhara Salimi|  Paul Jones  |

 What are the gender  issues and what are the University doing about them?

The student gender issues include those around underachievement, retention and participation which are included in our Gender Action Plan as part of the University's Gender Equality Scheme. Click here to access the University's Gender Equality Scheme|  for action plan and feedback on gender issues including gender re-assignment and transgender.

The Equality Act 2010 introduced new protection from discrimination for students during pregnancy and maternity by extending the protection that exists for women in employment to higher education.  In response to this the University now has facilities available for nursing mothers to express milk in Interview Room 1 (Student Centre) Monday to Friday from 9 am until 5 pm and in the Quiet Room (Chancellors Mall) Monday to Friday from 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

We do this:

The University of Bolton combines both gender and sexual orientation into the same protected characteristic group, known as the Gender and Sexual Orientation Advisory Group. The Gender and Sexual Orientation Advisory Group objectives are: 

  • To ensure that equality issues related to gender, gender re-assignment and sexual orientation are treated seriously and sensitively by the University
  • To ensure equality of opportunity and eliminate harassment for all our community including gender, gender re-assignment and sexual orientation
  • To provide specialist advice on gender and sexual orientation issues for the University's equality impact assessment process as appropriate 

What is sexual orientation?

The term sexual orientation refers to an individual's orientation towards persons of the same sex, opposite sex, or same and opposite sex.  This term does not just refer to lesbian, gay or bisexual people; heterosexual people are also included. 

Want to join the Gender and Sexual Orientation group? 

Contact Shirley Silcock on x3573 or ss1@bolton.ac.uk|.

What is LGBT?

This refers to and includes lesbian (L), gay (G), bisexual (B) and trans or transsexual (T). The University is improving awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues with the promotion of and participation in local, regional, and national events such as World Aids Day (1 December), LGBT history month (February) and IDAHO (17 May). Want to be involved?  This year the University celebrated IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) on 17 May 2011 and will host another World Aids Day on 1 December 2011 in the Social Learning Zone in conjunction with our strategic partners. 

A LGBT group for students is currently being established at the University.  Contact the Students Union for more information.| 

The Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) commissioned the first national survey into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff and students in Higher Education during 2009.   These issues are fed into the University's action plan. Want to know more about the ECU report on this survey? click here|.  

What is trans or transgender?      

Trans is a UK created term intended to be an umbrella inclusive of transgender, transsexual, drag kings, drag queens and all others whose gender identity and/or expression differ from the sex they were assigned at birth. 

What is gender re-assignment?  

Those individuals who have the physical characteristics of one sex and the psychological characteristics of another sex, who are intending to, are currently or have undergone surgery to change their gender. 

The University is currently revising the Gender Reassignment Policy .  If you have a query or need support on gender reassignment please contact the Equality and Diversity Officer, Shirley Silcock on x3573 or ss1@bolton.ac.uk.

 Click here to download| more information on sexual orientation and gender identity.     

The University's Equality and Diversity Officer attends Bolton Council's Gender, Sexuality and Caring meetings on a regular basis and reports back to our Advisory Group. This year the University will be hosting another World AIDS Day event on 1 December 2011.  Click here for more information.|  For information on last year's event on World AIDS Day event 2010 option on the right hand side.      

The University is one of Bolton's distribution points for the Lesbian and Gay Foundation information resources including Gay Men Safer Sex Packs. Free packs are available from the Student Centre. Want to know more about the Lesbian and Gay Foundation?  Click here for more information on the Lesbian and Gay Foundation charity.|

For student profiile data by gender click here.| We do not currently collect staff or student data on sexual orientation. The University will collect sexual orientation related data through diversity surveys to maintain confidential feedback on its services and employment opportunities.