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Out @UCL has developed a network to give LGBTQ+ staff, students and visitors an inclusive environment.
- What is Out @UCL?
Out@UCL is a staff social network and 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 considered that, in an organisation as big as UCL, it was difficult to get to know people in other departments, especially other LGBTQ+ people.
- Who are the members of Out@UCL?
We have staff members from across UCL in our network; read more about some of them here: We Are Out@UCL
- What does the network do?
The group networks through lunches and evening events. There is also an email group for members to communicate virtually and share information about LGBTQ+ related events, publications and news stories. For more information see the flyer for the group:
- Is this the same as the LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group?
No, the LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group is a policy group which meets every couple of months to discuss how to implement equalities legislation in the workplace and promote LGBTQ+ equality. Visit the LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group page for more information.
- How do I become a member?
If you would like to become a member of the network, join the Out@UCL Microsoft Teams Group - 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. There is also an LGBTQ+ staff mailing list which is used to disseminate relevant events and bulletins.
To join (or leave) the Out@UCL email network please complete the Sign Up Form
Please note that while Out@UCL is primarily a network for LGBTQ+ staff and postgrad students, allies are very welcome to join and engage the group.
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.
To request a lanyard, please email out@ucl.ac.uk including the internal mail address that you would like it posted to.
There will be an opportunity for allies / Friends of Out@UCL to get a lanyard at a later date.
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, UCL LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group & Out@UCL | UCL LGBTQ+ Equality Envoy
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