Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Contact Us Room 2054 Arts Building
Trinity College
Dublin 2.

View the contact page for more contact and location information

equality@tcd.ie Gaeilge

FAQs and Resources

What Supports Are Available for Transgender and Non-binary Staff?

Trinity's Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy outlines the university's commitment to supporting transgender and non-binary staff and students through the various considerations that might arise.

This policy is intended to be updated in 2025.

Staff with any initial queries regarding the actions in the policy should reach out to their line manager and/or Human Resources at HR@tcd.ie

The LGBT+ Staff Network is happy to chat informally with any staff member who might prefer some initial direction from another LGBTQ+ colleague, please email us at LGBTStaff@tcd.ie

How Can I Learn about Inclusive Language?

The Network has compiled a resource guide to inclusive language here, including LGBTQIA+ related terminology and understanding pronoun usage. See our Glossary page for more resources.

How Can I Learn how to Support the Community as an Ally?

This guidance has been adapted in part with thanks to University College Cork.

Every person has their own journey in understanding what it means to support LGBTQ+ people, whether you're LGBTQ+ or not. We hope this resource can help you on your journey. Its normal to have questions and to not understand everything right away. If you are taking the time to read this resource, you have already made a positive step in the right direction. This resource will not be able to cover everything about the LGBTQ+ community but further resources are available at the end of this document. Trinity's LGBT+ Staff Network is here to support and if you have any follow up questions, please don't hesitate to get in contact at LGBTStaff@tcd.ie

What is LGBTQ+?

LGBTQ+ stands for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer and more, with the plus sign representing all of the many identities on the queer spectrum" Many people and organizations use "LGBTQ+" as a catch-all term. You may come across different combinations being used for example LGBTQI, LGBT+, LGBTQA or just LGBT but in general they all used to describe everyone who is part of that community. Most of the terms refer to someone's sexual orientation (e.g. Gay) or gender identity (Transgender). These labels are not mutually exclusive, for example, a person could be a transgender man and gay.

We use the term LGBTQ+ to represent all sexual and gender identities as we know some people don't want to be defined by a particular label. We also know lots of our colleagues who do not identify as LGBTQ+ ask how they can help and support the network so we've come up with some tips:

What Can I Do as an Ally to help and support? - Top Tips

  • Get to know the things that matter to your LGBTQ+ colleagues. This could be the language that you use or taking into account their experiences and what can be done to change the culture around you.
  • Sign up for one of the training sessions offered in the university on LGBTQ+ awareness.
  • Make clear visible statements about the importance of LGBTQ+ equality to you and your team/organisation. Making this public commitment helps all of your colleagues to understand that this isn't just a box ticking exercise.
  • If you hear comments, language or jokes around you that you feel are inappropriate then as a member of the Trinity community we'd like you to speak up. If saying something to the person concerned isn't an option then please let us know so we can support you to deal with it in the future.
  • Most importantly be yourself. We want colleagues around the university to know that LGBT+ equality isn't something you're doing because you have to it's because you want to and it matters to all our staff and students.
  • Be open to learn, listen and educate yourself - Take time to learn about the community and find out more about the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Don't expect to be perfect immediately.
  • Its ok to make mistakes it's a learning process but do make sure to listen and try in the future to avoid any unintentional hurtful actions or expressions.
  • Put your pronouns in email signatures - This is a great signal to others that you are supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Don't ask LGBTQ+ people intrusive questions - It's just not polite to ask colleagues about their sex lives or bodies. The internet is a great source of information for these kinds of queries including sites in the links below.
  • Speak out against inappropriate or discriminatory behaviour - If you witness discriminatory actions or bullying you should report it. You can report anonymously in Trinity here https://tcd.speakout.ie/
  • Make sure LGBTQ+ voices are heard -  It's important for allies to use their voice to stand in solidarity LGBTQ+ people – but it's equally as important to know when not to take up space and to step back.
  • Encourage Allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Trinity to sign up to the LGBT Staff Network by emailing LGBTStaff@tcd.ie

What Do LGBTQ+ Staff Need to Consider when Travelling Abroad?

The below guidance has been adapted from several sources, including the Stonewall UK guide for LGBTQ+ travelling.

There are additional factors for staff to consider when they are part of a minority group and travelling abroad. 

Attitudes towards LGBT+ people vary around the world. This guidance has been prepared to raise awareness of the issues and challenges that might face LGBT+ individuals when travelling outside the country

 Key points to consider

Cultural acceptance and law can vary from country to country. The University encourages all its staff and students to research the country they are travelling to.

Some countries may recognise LGBT+ legal rights, however, this may not be reflected in a country's culture and cultural values.

Personal safety and security

 Research local laws, customs and attitudes of the country you are planning to visit. Information about individual countries can be found as part of the government's foreign travel advice.

Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Advice

  • You may wish to consider the risk of expressing your views on the subject of gender identity and sexual orientation while in public spaces in case they may be seen as contentious in an environment where the local customs and culture is less tolerant and not open to discussion on these topics.
  • Make sure you are aware of the contact details of your local embassy and emergency services, such as the police and travel insurance provider.
  • Some hotels may not accept booking from same sex couples, so please check before you travel.
  • When you are not familiar with the local area try to plan your journey route in advance to avoid getting lost.
  • Try to avoid potentially risk situations, don't do anything you wouldn't normally do at home
  • For transgender and non-binary travellers, you will usually be able to a get a passport in your new name if you provide documentary evidence detailing the date and circumstances of the name change. You are advised to start this process as soon as possible, to avoid delays in processing your new passport.

University Procedures

Any member of staff travelling on authorised University business is required to log their trip on the online Insurance and Travel form and adhere to travel risk assessment requirements. For more information see here. If a student has any concerns about a particular study abroad opportunity, they may wish to raise them with their study abroad coordinate.

What you should do if you have a problem overseas?
Contact your local embassy where staff will be able to provide advice and guidance.

The University's Travel Insurance provider has an emergency contact number for anyone who is travelling on University business and who has registered their trip on the Travel Log.

Useful links

Further Resources

There is a wealth of resources available on further issues on the wider EDI website including under the Sexual Orientation and Gender headings. Other resources the Network highlights for your information include:

Trinity Resources

Trinity Dignity and Respect Policy This policy sets out a framework for the resolution of any dignity and respect matters that may arise from time to time and details the sources of help available to staff and students

The SpeakOut Tool - Speak Out provides the opportunity for you to make the University aware of harassment incidents that you have either experienced or witnessed by reporting them anonymously.

External Organisations

  • LGBT Ireland offer a comprehensive range of services which provide support and information on issues relating to sexuality and gender identity through a national helpline, online chat support and peer support groups.
  • BeLonGTo is an LGBT youth organisation in Ireland which caters for young people aged between 14–23 years and provides advice and support to parents.
  • The National Gender Service (NGS) provides a holistic approach to gender care. They have a multidisciplinary team and is a fully public service provided by the HSE. There is a gender identity family support line, which can be reached at 01 907 3707
  • GenderED.ie information resource for families of gender variant children and transgender young people.
  • Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) offers a range of support services that aim to increase the well-being of trans people and their families by providing support that mitigates common experiences of isolation, misunderstanding and exclusion.
  • Shout Out! (supporting LGBT students in secondary schools)
  • The Asexual Visibility and Education Network
  • Intersex Society of North America
  • LGBT Helpline (1890 929 539)
  • Intersectional / specialist organisations
  • Greenbow (Deaf LGBT Society of Ireland)
  • Traveller Pride (for LGBT+ Travellers and Roma)
  • LINC advocating for lesbian and bisexual women in Ireland
  • PATHI: The Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland (PATHI) is an all-island multidisciplinary organisation representing, supporting, and connecting those working to strengthen the health, rights, and wellbeing of all trans and gender diverse people across Ireland.
  • https://www.tgeu.org/ 
  • Gender Rebels Cork
  • Trans Healthcare Action Ireland
  • Trans* Research Association of Ireland (TRAI)  is a new research network supported by the UCD College of Arts and Humanities and School of English, Drama and Film and is open to all trans* researchers working in Ireland, and all researchers working on and with Irish transness.
  • Small Trans Library is a small lending library of trans-authored books for trans people, with branches in Dublin and Glasgow.

Further Resources

Events and Initiatives

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