LGBTQ+ and Non-Binary Students

Enfys - The LGBT+ Network

Enfys (Welsh for rainbow) is the name for the LGBT+ network for all staff and postgraduates at Cardiff University.

Enfys is run by a voluntary committee which is open to LGBTQ+ community members and Friends of the network who are current staff or postgraduate students at the University.

Membership of the Enfys Network is open to any staff member or postgraduate student at Cardiff University who identifies as LGBTQ+ or wishes to be an active ally (Friend of Enfys) to the community (someone who aligns with and supports all identities within the LGBTQ+ community).

You can join the network by emailing enfys@cardiff.ac.uk, and you should be added to the Network TeamSpace.

You can find upcoming events such as Enfys LGBTQ+ Coffee Mornings here.

Societies

• CU Pride - LGBT+ Society
• TANNGS - THE Transgender, Ally, Non-binary, Gender questioning, and Gender non-conforming Society

There is lot of information on the Stonewall Website on coming out, and specific information for coming out.

• Why come out? Coming out allows people to be honest about who they are, especially with the people that they love. Hiding who you are can be a big struggle, and take energy away from focussing on the other aspects of your life. Coming out to someone does not mean that you have to come out to everyone. You do not have to feel pressured into coming out, and you can come out when you feel ready.
• How to come out? There are many ways to come out, but the most important thing is to do what you think best.
• Who do you want to tell? Most people come out in stages and tell certain groups of people individually. For example, you might tell your closest friends, then your family, and then your work colleagues. Think about who you want to tell first, ideally this should be someone who can support you in telling others.
• Is there anyone that you do not want to tell? News spreads fast. If there is someone that you do not want to find out, think about how you manage this.
• When is the right time to come out? Coming out can be a shock to some people. Think about whether you have got long enough to talk this through with whoever you are telling. Perhaps not on the way to an exam or when you have 2% battery on your phone.
• How will you choose to come out? There are benefits of sending written communications, like a Facebook message, text or email. There are also benefits of organising to sit down and chat with someone about this. You will have to decide which is the most appropriate.
• Support with coming out. If you need support with coming out, then you can read the sources of support on this page. Sometimes there may be setbacks and it can time some time for people to process this news, but sometimes people are not surprised and may be more accepting than you think. No coming out journey is the same!

You can speak to the LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Champions for the most up to date resources and workshops on coming out.

There are also specific resources for coming out as Trans on the University Intranet. You can access these by clicking here.

Haus is the official queer night at Cardiff Students’ Union, created by you, for you.

The first event is taking place on Friday 19th September during Freshers, but check out the Events section of our website or search ‘haus’ to find out about any upcoming club nights.

First year students can elect to live in ‘LGBTQ+ students & Allies’ accommodation, if they would prefer to live with other LGBTQ+ students and/or allies.

LGBTQ+ and Allies flats are allocated on an opt-in basis and are various flats within bigger blocks of mixed accommodation, to minimise segregation.

Additional pastoral support is available from Residence Life Assistants living in these blocks. The Residence Life Team are dedicated to enhancing your student experience, helping to create a community within residences where you feel a sense of belonging and inclusion.

The Student Intranet had a dedicated webpage here where you can find informartion on:

• LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Champions
• Support with Coming Out
• LGBTQ+ estranged students
• LGBTQ+ University Accommodation

For confidential advice and further support you can contact:

• LGBTQ+ Elected Campaign Officers - Cardiff Students' Union officers, campaigning for LGBTQ+ student rights
• LGBT+ Association - representing LGBTQ+ issues as well as campaigning for change on campus and running various events
• Students' Union Gender Identity Fund - a fund which can be accessed by trans and non-binary students for costs relating to gender-affirming care such as items (such as packers / binders) and transport (such as transport to clinics for appointments)
• Trans Aid Cymru - a mutual aid organisation for and by Transgender, Non-Binary and Intersex (TIN) people.
• Umbrella Cymru - gender and sexual diversity support service
• Galop - the LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity
• Stonewall Cymru - information, support and guidance on LGBTQ+ inclusion
• Impact - LGBTQ+ youth group meeting weekly in Cardiff for 13-25 year olds
• The LGBT Foundation - working to support LGBTQ+ people, including help with healthcare
• National Hate Crime Support - run by Victim Support, providing free and confidential emotional and practical support to victims of hate crime
• Trans Unite - find a Transgender Support Group near you
• Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) - a forum for those on the ace spectrum to talk about their experiences and make friends
• AKT - mental health resources for the LGBTQ+ community
• Mind - LGBTQIA+ mental health resources
• Zoteria - an app for reporting LGBTQ+ hate crime

The University had a dedicated webpage for Trans and Non-binary support services here. This contains information on:

• Peer support
• Changing your accommodation
• Time off for appointments
• Gender recognition certificates
• Reporting bullying and harrassment
• Updating your personal information (ID card, email address, certificates etc.)

If you would like to access support because you wish to transition or are in the process of transitioning, you can choose who to contact; however, we recommend that you contact the Student Health and Wellbeing Service in the first instance, who have dedicated members of staff called Trans Support Advisers who will be able to provide support and guidance throughout the process of transitioning and beyond.

To get in touch complete their Request for Trans Support form. Once you submit this form, a confidential case will be created for you on the Student Connect portal and you will receive a notification of receipt to your Cardiff University email address. A member of the team will then contact you to invite you to attend an appointment, either in-person or online as you prefer.

If you require support with transitioning but would prefer not to fill in the online form, you are welcome to contact the team by email: TransCU@cardiff.ac.uk.