Explore support services available for students in the LGBTQ+ community.
Your sexuality
University can be a time of self-discovery for many students, often living away from home for the first time.
You may start to question your sexuality, wish to inform others of your sexuality or you may be exploring your gender identity. This can be exciting and liberating but may also be a very daunting experience and can result in feelings of isolation and anxiety.
There are many sources of support, and opportunities to meet with others from the LGBTQ+ community at Sussex.
LGBTQ+ society
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans* and Queer Society (or LGBTQ+ society) within the Students’ Union provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students to come together to socialise, provide each other with support and campaign on LGBTQ+ issues. The society has one welfare officer who is available to meet one-to-one if you want someone to talk to confidentially or would like to meet a friendly face before going to a larger event or meeting.
The LGBTQ+ Society has one elected welfare officer who can be contacted at any time by email at lgbtq@societies.sussexstudent.com.
To stay updated on LGBTQ+ Society news and events, check out their Instagram (@sussexlgbtq) and Discord.
There is also an LGBTQ+ dedicated room in Falmer House. Instructions on how to get there can be found on the LGBTQ+ Society Instagram in the highlight titled "LGBTQ+ Room".
Find more about the LGBTQ+ society.
Students’ Union support for LGBTQ+ students
The Students’ Union have officers who are elected by students to run the Union, provide services for students and represent them in their dealings with the University. They also are there to campaign on issues affecting students at Sussex.
Sexual health
It’s important for everyone to look after their sexual health and get regular check-ups, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. See more about sexual health.
Harassment, hate incidents and hate crime
Unfortunately, some students do experience harassment, bullying or abuse directed at them because of their gender identity or sexual orientation (or their perceived gender identity or sexual orientation). This is regarded as a hate incident or hate crime.
The University of Sussex is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for every member of its community.
If you or someone else has experienced behaviours such as bullying, harassment, a hate incident, sexual violence, domestic abuse, or discrimination, you can let us know, and find out about support options using the Report and Support tool.
Support services
There are internal and external services available to support you if you are a student in the LGBTQ+ community.
Student Centre
All Student Advisors at the Student Centre are skilled and experienced at working with LGBTQ+ students. The team is trained by MindOUT to anticipate, appreciate and understand a spectrum of current issues affecting LGBTQ+ students.
University therapeutic services
The University’s Therapeutic Services offers free and confidential short-term wellbeing interventions for University of Sussex students.
Other local services
Allsorts Youth Project listens to, supports and connects young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (LGBT+).
Switchboard is a charity for LGBTQ+ people looking for a sense of community, support, or information. They connect people and support them directly through specially developed Switchboard services or link them to other specialist organisations.
Navigate Brighton is a peer support group for transgender, non-binary and intersex people on the trans-masculine spectrum.
The Clare Project is a support and social group for the trans, non-binary, intersex and gender-variant community in Brighton & Hove.
MindOut is a mental health service run by, and for, lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people with experience of mental health issues.
Student Minds is a national student mental health charity. They have some useful resources for LGBTQ+ students.