The Rainbow Network at the University of Birmingham has been named as the 2018 West Midlands Network Group of the Year by Stonewall.
The University of Birmingham Rainbow Network provides a space for staff and PhD students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning, as well as friends and allies of these communities, to meet and develop contacts across the University.
The Network also works to improve the working environment for LGBTQ staff at the University and supports the University’s civic mission to engage with local communities and promote LGBTQ equality more widely. The Network was one of the first networks to become involved with the new Higher Education LGBT Network of Networks.
The Rainbow Network committee has fed into the University’s mandatory staff Equality and Diversity training, and a handbook to accompany the University’s LGBT Mentoring Scheme for students. Several Rainbow Network members volunteer as mentors on this scheme, which helps LGBTQ students make a successful transition from studying to working.
Tom Syder, Chair, Rainbow Network said:
“I was delighted to accept this award on behalf of the Rainbow Network – it is a real testament to the work put in by the Network committee and other colleagues over the last year. I look forward to continuing to work with them, as well as other staff and students, to build on the great work done so far to advance LGBT equality within the University.”
Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) and Executive Lead for LGBT Equality said:
“The Rainbow Network have contributed significantly to the advancement of LGBT equality in the University and the wider community, and so it is great to see their hard work recognised by Stonewall. Congratulations to all involved in this achievement; and thanks on behalf of all the University for their evident dedication to the equal opportunities commitment embodied within our Charter.”
The University of Birmingham was founded in 1900 on an anti-discrimination ethos accepting men and women on an equal basis. Today, as a community of over 150 nationalities in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, we remain committed to promoting equality, diversity and fairness irrespective of age, disability, gender, pregnancy or marital status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity.
ENDS
For more information please contact: Dominic Benson, Deputy Director of Communications, University of Birmingham, on +44 0121 414 5134 or d.benson.1@bham.ac.uk. Alternatively, contact the Press Office out of hours on +44 (0)7789 921165.
Notes to Editors
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The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.