Pride
Torrens University supports the needs of all our students to ensure they all have an equal opportunity for success. We are committed to creating a culture that both welcomes and embraces diversity (on campus and online). This commitment extends to include staff, students and community within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Plus (LGBTQIA+).
Online training module
If you would like to learn more about the LGBTQI community, we are pleased to offer a quick introduction through the online module "Walking in Rainbow Shoes".
You can access this module here.
We value your feedback!
If you have any questions, comments, or events you'd like to share, please feel free to contact us.
Torrens LGBTQI+ Working Party and Framework
Torrens University wants to inspire, ensure and support all staff and students to live their true selves, know they are included and welcomed in the Torrens University community.
Torrens University aims to be a leader in the education sector in promoting inclusivity and diversity while adopting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and plus (LGBTQIA+) best practice. Torrens believes in cultivating diversity and inclusivity of its students, staff and curriculum. Torrens recognises the right of each Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer. Intersex, Asexual and Plus staff and students to live and work freely, without discrimination or fear. Torrens wants to celebrate, protect and similarly promote the rights of LGBTQIA+ as other members of the Torrens community.
Terms of Reference for Working Group
These terms of reference have been established to promote equality and inclusion for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer. Intersex, Asexual and Plus students and staff, and to value sexual and gender diversity within the Torrens University community.
- To champion LGBTQIA+ equity and inclusion through the provision of introductory and ongoing training and education.
- To provide support and networking for LGBTQIA+ students and staff.
- To assist the University to provide an inclusive environment for students and staff irrespective of sexual or gender identity.
- To organise social events that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
- To promote positive attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ peoples and to increase the visibility of LGBTQIA+ equality, including (but not limited to) promotional materials and awareness initiatives across the University and its campuses.
- To establish a steering committee of student and staff representatives to act as an advisory group to Torrens University on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Purpose
This framework highlights the minimum requirements on how to support the inclusion of LGBTIQA+ University Community
Guiding Principles
The Framework Guiding Principles informs the decision making and actions.
Leadership
Ongoing commitment from the Torrens Global Education (TGE) Leadership team to support and lead the LGBTIQA+ Framework across TGE..
Policy and Procedures Inclusivity
TGE’s Policies and Procedures reflect inclusivity and support of LGBTQIA+ staff and students including diversity and identity
Learning and Teaching Inclusivity
LGBTQIA+ inclusive language in curriculum, research and scholarship
LGBTQIA+ members’ visibility on Campus
Student and staff campus experience that includes LGBTQIA+ representation, visibility and understanding of issues affecting people identifying as LGBTQIA+.
Background
Why is an LGBTQIA+ Framework necessary?
Equality and freedom from discrimination are fundamental human rights that belong to all people.
According to the Australian Human Rights Commission:
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender people are three times more likely to experience depression
- Six in ten experience verbal homophobic abuse
- Two in ten experience physical homophobic abuse
- One in ten experience other types of homophobia
- Transgender men and women experience significantly higher rates of non-physical and physical abuse compared with gay men and women
- Eighty per cent of homophobic bullying occurs at school
- Thirty-nine per cent of LGBTQIA+ people hide their sexuality or gender identity at a workplace
- Almost half of all LGBTQIA+ people hide their sexual orientation or gender identity in public for fear of violence or discrimination
Through this framework, Torrens University wants to be part of the change, and believe that even one abuse is one too many. The development of this framework is to support the LGBTQIA+ Community.
Responsibilities
Torrens University Australia and New Zealand Executive Team are responsible for the implementation of the Framework.
2019 – 2022 Framework Action Plan
Read the 2019-2022 Torrens Global Education LGBTQIA+ Strategy
Valuable Information
QLife is a nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people. They can be accessed through their hotline operating from 3pm to midnight every day at 1 800 184 527 or through their Webchat option on their website
Pride Support Services
Australian Queer Student Network (ASQN)
AQSN is a network for LGBTQIA+ students across Australia who want to organise and collaborate, share resources, network, and increase accessibility and acceptance for students.
QLife
QLife is a National LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral service for people who want support with sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. QLife is a free and anonymous telephone and web-based service available 7 days a week from 3pm-12pm AEST.
Phone: 1800 184 527
Online chat: QLife Chat
Trans Pride Australia
Trans Pride Australia Inc is a social and support group for trans and gender diverse people and their loved ones in Australia.
Gar’ban’djee’lum (‘us mob’)
Peer-based social network and culturally supportive space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people, sistergirls and brotherboys.Find Gar’ban’djee’lum on Facebook
Relationships Australia Queensland’s Rainbow Program
Facilitating a collection of services that aim to support mental health and wellbeing of members of the LGBTQIA+ community, those questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation and families, allies and practitioners who support those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or questioning.Hours: 8am - 8pm, Monday - Friday, 10 - 4pm Saturday
Phone: 1300 364 277
Sydney
The Gender Centre
The Gender Centre develops and provides services and activities to empower people with gender issues, and their support network, to make informed decisions. Services include accommodation services, support, education, training and referral.
Hours: 9am - 12pm noon, 1pm - 4.30pm, Monday - FridayPhone: (02) 9569 2336
Email The Gender Centre
Twenty10 Twenty10 is a community-based non-profit, state-wide organisation, working with and supporting people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families and communities.ACON/Trans Hub
ACON/Trans Hub is a digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW, our loved ones, allies and health providers.
Trans Action Warrang
An autonomous collective open to transgender, gender diverse and questioning people organising for transgender rights. Visit their Facebook page.Queer Housing Sydney
Housing group for the LGBTIQ community in Sydney, Australia. Post your sublets, rooms, houses, holiday getaways, crash pads ect. Please read the rules and answer the questions for entry to the group. Find them on FacebookLegal support on updating documents
Justice Connect provides a resource for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in NSW around updating legal documents.
The Blue Mountains
The Gender Centre
The Gender Centre develops and provides services and activities to empower people with gender issues, and their support network, to make informed decisions. Services include accommodation services, support, education, training and referral.
Hours: 9am -12pm noon and1pm - 4.30pm, Monday - Friday Regional NSW: (02) 9569 2366 Email The Gender Centre Pink MountainsPink Mountains is an online community information guide and business directory for LGBTQIA+ people, their support network and allies, living in or visiting the Blue Mountains NSW.
Moolagoo Mob & Blak Lemons
A social and support network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who identify as gay, lesbian, sistergirl or brother boy. Visit their Facebook page.
Unidos
Who can access this service?
Unidos works with people from diverse backgrounds and diverse genders. We particularly support individuals who are sexually attracted to the same sex as theirs. We also work with their families and friends.
What is provided?
They provide free counselling, information, and resources to help people:
- improve their sense of belonging to their culture as well as their sexual identity
- improve their mental and physical wellbeing
- address fears associated with diverse sexual identities and discrimination
- improve family relationships
- access other support services they may need
SHINE SA - Gender Wellbeing Service
SHINE SA is a free and confidential service and safe space for those who are questioning their gender identity or identify as trans or gender diverse. Services include counselling, peer support, general information, as well as the sexual health and wellbeing services offered by SHINE SA.
Phone: 1300 794 584 or 7099 5320
Email Email SHINE SA
Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre
Equinox is a peer-led Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) Health Service operated by the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC). Services aim to ensure positive health outcomes for TGD people through general practice healthcare, sexual health, hormone initiation and management, PrEP, Osteopathy and counselling.
Phone: (03) 9416 2889Switchboard
Switchboard is a peer-driven support service for LGBTQIA+ people, their families, allies and communities. Phone counselling is available from 3pm - 12am midnight daily.
Phone: 1800 184 527Transgender Victoria (TGV)
TGV works with and for the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community and allies to positively impact the human rights of TGD people.
Phone: (03) 9020 4642OutLine NZ
A telephone-based support and referral service for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who want to discuss sexual orientation, gender identity, and diverse sex characteristics.
Phone: 0800 688 5463Hauora Tāhine - Pathways to Transgender Healthcare Services
Hauora Tāhine is a collection of secondary support services that provide gender-affirming healthcare for transgender and gender diverse people across the Northern Region DHBS (Northland, Waitematā, Auckland and Counties Manukau).
Phone: (09) 367 0000Gender Bridge
Gender Bridge is a peer to peer trans community organisation providing support to transgender, gender diverse and non binary people, their whanau and friends throughout Aotearoa
Rainbow Youth
RainbowYOUTH is a charitable organisation that was established in 1989. RainbowYOUTH is here to work with queer, gender diverse, takatāpui & intersex youth, their friends, whānau and wider communities in order to ensure that New Zealand is a place where all young people can thrive.
Gender Minorities
Gender Minorities Aotearoa is a nationwide transgender organisation. It is run by and for transgender people; including binary and non-binary, intersex, and irawhiti takatāpui.
Queer Housing NZ
A group for queer and rainbow people in NZ who are looking for houses or housemates, and queer and rainbow-friendly houses offering rooms.
