Sources of support
LGBTQ+ Local and National Support
AKT: Supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.
The Beaumont Society: National self-help body run by and for the transgender community.
Depend: Voluntary organisation whose aim is to provide support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, an adult trans person, where that person is considering or is in the process of transitioning, or has transitioned, within the UK.
FFLAG: Voluntary organisation and registered charity dedicated to supporting parents and families and their LGBT+ members. Web pages contain advice on a range of topics, including trans identities.
Galop: UK charity that works with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of interpersonal abuse and violence.
Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES): A UK-wide organisation whose purpose is to improve the lives of trans and gender diverse people of all ages, including those who are non-binary and non-gender. Provides a range of resources, including a handy checklist of documents to change upon gender transition.
Gendered intelligence: UK charity that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people.
Gender Trust: Information about gender identity, concepts, and UK law
Leeds Gender Identity Service: Run by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the gender identity service offers assessment and support to people aged 17 and above with Gender Dysphoria.
LGBT Foundation: Provides support services to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, and works with healthcare and other professionals to help make public services more accessible and inclusive for LGBT communities.
Mermaids: Supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. They offer web chat support to students up to the age of 25.
Press for Change: Lobbying and legal support organisation for Trans people in the UK
Stonewall Housing: Works to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people live in safer homes, free from fear, and where we can celebrate our identity and support each other to achieve our full potential. Provides advice on housing related issues to LGBTQ+ people.
Switchboard: Provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, by email and through Instant Messaging.
TransActual: A UK organisation that aims: to share reliable information about trans people’s lives and trans rights in the UK; dispel common myths; amplify the voices of a wide range of trans men, trans women and non-binary people; educate people about trans people's lives and the issues we face; advocate for trans people; empower trans people to bring about change in their lives and in the community
The Transgender Zone: Support and information for transgender people, health and social care professionals, broadcast media and lay people who want to learn more about the subject. Raising awareness of gender dysphoria and other gender identity issues.
Trans Unite: Resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. Connects to established network of trans support groups.
Travelling outside the UK: UK government advice for for LGB&T tourists travelling abroad.
York LGBT Forum: York LGBT Forum is a charity which aims to improve LGBT rights in York, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom and across the world.
University support
All staff are encouraged to undertake basic trans awareness training, delivered by Gendered Intelligence, which covers the key ideas and information people need to know about trans-related matters. The course is repeated throughout the year, and includes what 'trans' means and the diversity of those who might use the term; key concepts crucial to understanding trans people; the main legislation relating to trans identities; ways an organisation can work towards being trans-inclusive; and provides links to further resources and help. We also have a web page for staff about supporting trans students which contains further guidance.
Student advisers (Student Hub)
The Student advisers are based in the Student Hub and can offer advice on a range of issues including changing your name, title and gender with the University; government departments and on identification documents. You can contact them by completing the Student Advice Self Referral Form.
Student help and support pages
The dedicated help and support page for students contains useful links to several organisations including the Open Door Practitioners who can offer psychological and mental health support. The Open Door Team (ODT) will initially speak to you about the issues you wish to discuss. This conversation will help you decide whether ODT support or more specialist external support is the best next step for you.
Student Wellbeing Officers
There are Student Wellbeing Officers available in each department. Information on how to contact them can be found on your department web pages or through Open Door who are also able to provide these details.
Colleges
Here are some of the ways that colleges support trans students:
- Ask all new students as part of the pre-arrivals communications if they want to become part of the LGBTQ+ networks before they arrive at University and with their permission, pass their details on to elected college committee student representatives who promote the inclusion of LGBTQ+ students.
- Provide wellbeing support for students who may need to talk to someone and if requested, establish a single point of contact for an individual student. In addition, signpost to other university support services.
- Advertise University, YUSU and local community LGBTQ+ specific events, celebrations and networking opportunities that LGBTQ+ students would likely be interested in.
- Include equality and inclusivity in orientation materials and promote and foster a sense of belonging for all students throughout their time at York.
Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
University of York Students’ Union (YUSU)
- YUSU advice and support
- YUSU LGBTQ Social network or contact the LGBTQ+ Officers directly at lgbtq@yusu.org
- Women and Non Binary Students’ Network
- YUSU Trans and Non-Binary Guidance
Reporting Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes
Report and Support is the University's online portal to report student and staff misconduct, including bullying, harassment, and hate incidents. You do not commit yourself to a course of action by submitting a report - a member of staff will contact you to offer support and discuss options.
North Yorkshire Police provide information on how to report hate crimes.
York Council provides information on how to report hate crimes, as well as alternative reporting options to contacting the police directly, through an organisation called Supporting Victims.