LGBT in Britain - University Report (2018)

• Two in five LGBT students (42 per cent) have hidden their identity at university for fear of discrimination.
• Seven per cent of trans students have been physically attacked by another student or member of university staff in the last year.
• Two-thirds of LGBT students (69 per cent) say university has equalities policies that protect LGB people on campus.

LGBT in Britain - Universities Report is based on YouGov research with 522 LGBT university students reveals that LGBT students face concerning levels of discrimination in British universities.

Key findings

• More than a third of trans students (36 per cent) and seven per cent of lesbian, gay and bi students who aren't trans faced negative comments or conduct from university staff in the last year because they are LGBT.
• Three in five trans students (60 per cent) and more than one in five lesbian, gay and bi students who aren't trans (22 per cent) have been the target of negative comments or conduct from other students.
• LGBT disabled students are particularly likely to have been the target of such remarks from other students; almost half of LGBT disabled students (47 per cent) have experienced this.
• Seven per cent of trans students were physically attacked by another student or a member of university staff in the last year because of being trans.
• One in five trans students (20 per cent) were encouraged by university staff to hide or disguise that they are trans.
• Two in five trans students (39 per cent) and more than one in five lesbian, gay and bi students (22 per cent) wouldn't feel confident reporting any homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying to university staff.
• More than two in five LGBT students (42 per cent) hid or disguised that they are LGBT at university in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination.
• One in four non-binary students (24 per cent) and one in six trans students (16 per cent) don’t feel able to wear clothes representing their gender expression at university.
• One in six trans students (17 per cent) report being unable to use the toilet they feel comfortable with at university.

What respondents said

I was walking to the university library when a group of people started yelling things like “oh look at this dyke”, “you look like a man… wait, is that the point, you tranny?” at me as I walked past.

Michael, 23 (Scotland)

I went to a Christian event at university and it was heavily implied that they thought being LGBT+ was sinful and wrong.

Kevin, 20 (North West)

The university email system will not use my preferred name unless I change it by deed poll, an option currently unavailable to me for complex reasons, and so I am forced to see my dead name attached to every email and computer document I produce, even on my own software

Alex, 22 (London)

In the university, people have refused to refer to me with the proper pronouns because they “don’t see me as a woman” despite me fully presenting myself as such. I have not worn a dress once for the last couple months due to the weather and as such I have been seen as “not trans enough”. I have been told that I’m undermining the image of women by a number of students and it has caused me to feel unable to socialise with my peers.

Lisa, 21 (Wales)

My university has made great leaps and bounds in welcoming all students. One facet that greatly pleased me was the introduction of gender neutral bathrooms.

Melanie, 23 (Scotland)

What you can do

Find out about Stonewall's workplace programmes, events and more