LGBT+ Staff Forum

Information on the LGBT+ Staff Forum at the University of Plymouth
LGBT+ Staff Forum

Equality, diversity and inclusion is the responsibility of us all and creating an inclusive environment is only possible if individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, promote positive respectful behaviour. By having visible LGBT allies we can promote a safe environment for LGBT staff and students to be themselves.

An LGBT ally is anyone who wishes to publically support the LGBT community and is committed to equality and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves; by pledging your support your will receive a rainbow lanyard.


To sign up as an LGBT+ ally, please email us on LGBTForum@plymouth.ac.uk and tell us why you want to be an ally and what you feel you can contribute. 

Welcome to the LGBT+ Staff Forum  

The LGBT+ Staff Forum exists to give a voice to all LGBT+ staff at the University of Plymouth. We provide confidential support for all LGBT+ Staff and Allies worried about LGBT+ colleagues. We encourage all staff to celebrate diversity and influence policy via the University’s EDI Committee.  

We recognise the significance intersectionality plays in our lives, we therefore welcome all staff who identify as having a minority gender identity and/or sexual orientation irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, marital/civil partnership status, pregnancy/maternity circumstances, religion or belief.  

We especially encourage members of the LGBT+ community who are also part of other underrepresented groups to join our forum where we have a safe space for you to be your authentic self.  

Join us

We have four levels of membership including joining us as a non-LGBT+ Ally:

  • Active – Happy to be a public face of the LGBT+ Staff Forum
  • Inclusive – Invited to meetings but only other members can contact you
  • Private – Supporting the forum but do not want your membership to be known
  • Ally – You do not identify as LGBT+ but want to be an ally and support the Forum

Membership is confidential by default and you should be given protected time in your workload to engage with staff networks. All staff (including UPSU, UCSP staff and PhD students) can join a staff network. Members receive a pin badge when they join and allies receive a rainbow lanyard and are invited to a training course. 

Fill in this short form to join

Our aims:

  • To support the development of an LGBT+ friendly culture at the University of Plymouth.

  • To offer confidential support and guidance to all LGBT+ staff at the University.

  • To create visibility for the LGBT+ staff community at the University of Plymouth, including acting as an information/welcome point for new LGBT+ staff and all new colleagues.

  • To provide an opportunity for LGBT+ staff to network both inside and outside the University and to offer possibilities for social and professional peer support and mentoring for all staff.

  • To advise and give feedback on University policy development and associated practice.

Latest news

We love to share our exciting news and developments on how we are supporting staff and students at the University, as well as our work in the local community.

For the very latest news, follow us on Twitter @PULGBTForum

If you want to get in touch with us, simply tweet us or email LGBTForum@plymouth.ac.uk



Support and training

LGBT+ Allies training

What does it mean to be an LGBT+ Ally? How can you actually make a difference? This course is here to help! Being an LGBT+ Ally isn't just about wearing a rainbow lanyard and going to Pride each year; it is about offering real, tangible support to the LGBT+ community. This course will provide delegates with the skills to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the workplace in an interactive and fun session with members of the LGBT+ Staff Forum.

Book your place

LGBT+ Allies Network

Are you passionate about supporting your LGBT+ colleagues and students? If you identify as heterosexual and/or cisgender but still want to help the University of Plymouth address LGBT+ equality then you may wish to join our vibrant LGBT+ Allies Network!

By signing up as an ally you will receive a new rainbow lanyard to wear around campus and take part in LGBT+ Allies training so you can learn about the challenges faced by LGBT+ people and how best to support them. In addition, throughout the year you will be invited to social events, seminars and training courses to help you make the most out of your role as an LGBT+ Ally. 

Sign up as an ally

LGBT+ inclusion maps

We want to help you settle in and feel comfortable bringing your whole self to campus and our inclusion planner and inclusion maps are here to help.

Gender-neutral toilets: The University of Plymouth supports our trans and non-binary staff and students in using the toilets they feel most comfortable in. You have every right to feel safe in the toilet you choose. If you would prefer to use a gender-neutral toilet then use this gender-neutral toilets map to find your closest one. 

LGBT+ Breathing Spaces: The University of Plymouth LGBT+ Staff Forum has launched a network of breathing spaces across campus to allow any LGBT+ person to go somewhere quiet to pause, relax and decide what to do next. If you would like your work area to become a breathing space, please email LGBTForum@plymouth.ac.uk and find your nearest breathing space.

Further training

University of Plymouth staff have access to a wide range of internal courses and training programmes and the courses listed here may be of particular interest to LGBT+ Staff Forum Members and LGBT+ Allies:

Leadership and management

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our people

LGBT+ Senior Ally, Professor Sube Banerjee

The LGBT+ Staff Forum are very proud to introduce Professor Sube Banerjee MBE, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health as one of our new senior champions.

"I am delighted to be one of the University’s LGBT+ senior champions. We aim as an organisation to be the very best we can be, and we can only succeed in this if we are a truly inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed and valued. It is a real privilege to play a part in creating a supportive environment for all who work at our University."

LGBT+ Senior Ally, Alice Ludgate, Head of Student Services  

"I love to celebrate all things diverse, it’s what makes the world such a vibrant and interesting place. But I know that inclusion is not always the norm, far from it, and I’m not happy to settle for there still being workplaces and communities where people aren’t accepted for who they are. No longer can I tolerate employees feeling they cannot truly relax at work and be themselves, no longer should LGBT+ staff have to tolerate abuse and discrimination, no longer should we have underrepresentation of LGBT+ employees in senior roles. I see the University of Plymouth as playing a pivotal role in both improving our own practice as well as being a role model for the region and sector and I am proud to be in the position of LGBT Senior Champion to help carry on the excellent work already underway."

LGBT+ Staff Forum Committee

  • Senior Technician (Marine Science)
    LGBT+ Staff Forum Co-chair
  • Senior Technician - SDLE
    LGBT+ Staff Forum Co-chair
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
    LGBT+ Staff Forum Treasurer
  • Senior Administrator - Complaints and Appeals Office
    LGBT+ Staff Forum Training Co-ordinator
  • Staff Networks and Outreach Administrator
    LGBT+ Staff Forum Secretary & Bisexual Rep

LGBT+ Staff Forum Committee (postgraduate members)

  • LGBT+ Staff Forum Trans Rep

    Dr Lisa Coombes, MClinEd student

    LGBT+ Staff Forum Trans Rep