Sexuality & Gender Diversity

Western Sydney University is committed to creating an inclusive, safe and respectful place of study and work and highly values the diversity of our staff and students, including our lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) staff and students.

Equity and Diversity has recently held two roundtable sessions with key stakeholders across the University focusing on work needed in the sexuality and gender diversity space over the next 12 months. This includes such activities as the continued focus on days of significance and embedding principles within policy discussions. The Sexuality and Gender Diversity Action and Collaboration Plan will guide the University in working towards a co-designed 3-5 year whole-of-University plan of major strategic work in relation to sexuality and gender diversity and inclusion at Western Sydney University.

To help build our equitable, inclusive and respectful culture Western offers LGBTIQ awareness training to staff and students. Many of our training participants go on to become an Ally Network member. See our contact list for more than 200 staff and student Allies who are LGBTIQ aware and friendly, endorsed by the University to provide LGBTIQ-related information and/or support.

At Western we are especially dedicated to supporting our students identifying as LGBTIQ and/or discovering personal gender identity. Our Student Support Services are recognised for their high quality, and are committed to LGBTIQ safety and inclusivity. Many members of our Student Welfare and Counselling teams are proud members of the Ally Network.

We also undertake broader activities to promote and celebrate the important contribution made by our LGBTIQ leaders, staff, students and other Western community members. This includes sector-leading research, whole-of-university projects, and events engaging with the LGBTIQ community within and beyond Western Sydney University.

*Please note: We acknowledge that individuals have varying preferences for terms related to sexuality and gender. Throughout this website, you will find the acronym LGBTIQ used predominantly, although other terms such as LGBTQIA+, LGBT+, and Queer may also appear. Additionally, terms like gender transition and gender affirmation are used interchangeably, with gender transition being the primary term in the university context and encompassing gender affirmation as well. Our use of language is not intended to be exclusive, but rather to recognise and respect diverse identities and preferences.