Whether you're joining the University of Bath for the first time or returning for another year, we'd like to extend a warm welcome to all our LGBTQ+ students.
The beginning of a new academic year is full of possibility: new friendships, new challenges, new opportunities, and hopefully plenty of memorable moments along the way. Wherever you are on your journey, and however you identify, we want you to know that you belong here.
Our LGBTQ+ community is an important and valued part of university life. Through student groups, social events, campaigns and networks, there are many opportunities to connect with others, find community, and share experiences with people who understand and celebrate who you are.
We also recognise that this is a particularly important time to reaffirm that message of belonging. Many LGBTQ+ people are navigating an increasingly uncertain social and political environment, and we know that public debates can sometimes leave individuals feeling unsettled or excluded. At Bath, we want to be clear that LGBTQ+ students are valued members of our community. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and kindness, and everyone should feel able to participate fully in university life.
Sometimes inclusion is built through major initiatives, but often it is the small things that matter most: finding your community, seeing visible signs of support, meeting people who share your experiences, and knowing that there are allies across campus. These everyday acts help create a university where people can thrive as their authentic selves.
There are lots of ways to get involved and access support if you'd like it. Student Services runs LGBTQ+ Connect, a monthly group for students who are exploring or questioning their LGBTQ+ identity. The LGBTQ+ Guides bring together practical information and resources tailored to LGBTQ+ students, while the Students' Union's LGBTQ+ Group offers opportunities to meet others, socialise, access peer support, and make use of initiatives such as the Gender Expression Fund.
If you ever experience or witness behaviour that falls short of our community expectations, the University's Support & Report tool provides access to confidential advice and practical support. You can also find a wealth of information on the University's LGBTQ+ Inclusion webpages, including guidance on names and pronouns, gender identity support, and inclusive facilities across campus.
As you begin the year ahead, we encourage you to get involved, be yourself, and make the most of everything university life has to offer.
We're delighted you're here and look forward to seeing all that you'll contribute to our community this year.
Welcome to Bath. You belong here. 🌈
LGBTQ+ Institutional Lead
Respond
