Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Community

LGBTQIA+ people continue to face challenges in society that their non-LGBTQIA+ equivalents may not experience.

We are committed to ensuring LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (Questioning), Intersex, and Asexual) students and staff can thrive in our community without experiencing alienation or ill-treatment by other at the University.

Mardi Gras 2024

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardis Gras is an annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities.

There were lots of ways to get involved to celebrate and show pride on campus and beyond this year.

LGBTQIA+ inclusion is gold standard

UNSW has achieved the level of Gold Employer status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index for the past three years, acknowledging the University’s students and staff as leaders in LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Ally Network – Lunch & Learns

Learn about a variety intersectional LGBTQIA+ topics and connect with students and staff within the UNSW community. Lunch & Learns provide a chance to grab a bite, continue to build knowledge, and hear from members of UNSW with diverse lived experiences.

Support & Services

Information to help you access services offered at UNSW, seek out likeminded student groups, and connect with broader community support and resources.

Inclusion for everyone

UNSW uses the acronym LGBTQIA+ as the inclusive umbrella that recognises the most common categories within gender and sexuality diverse populations and people with innate variations of sex characteristics (intersex people), and acknowledges there are many variations of the acronym.

Using appropriate terminology in all forms of communication allows people to feel included. Read more about inclusive language.

Gender Affirmation for Students

The Guideline seeks to comprehensively support students affirming their gender at university, while also addressing the other people who play active roles in their study.

Gender Affirmation for Staff

In collaboration with trans and gender diverse students, staff, Allies and the University community, UNSW has developed a Guideline which takes a person-centred approach to gender affirmation.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Language & Pronouns

Language matters and using appropriate terminology allows people to feel included.

Be an ally

ally@UNSW

Since 2008, UNSW has built a network of students and staff who pledge to take a proactive stance against discrimination based on gender and sexuality diverse populations, and people with innate variations of sex characteristics (intersex people).

Find an ally@UNSW

Want to talk? Our ally@UNSW members are trained and able to provide confidential referral advice.

LGBTQIA+ Allyship@UNSW

Train to join a community of people who are committed to being allies to the LGBTQIA+ community at UNSW.

Finding support

The University has codes of conduct for both students and staff and all policies are inclusive of LGBTQIA+ employees and their families, including UNSW's default superannuation provider UniSuper, Travel insurance policy, Relocation policy and Parental Leave. To find out more, read all policies.

UNSW Queer Collective

This student-led collective supports and represents all students on campus who are queer - that is, people who identify anywhere within the queer and queer questioning spectrum.

Support & Services

Information to help you access services offered at UNSW, seek out likeminded student groups, and connect with broader community support and resources.