LGBTIQA+

Charles Sturt is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for students, staff and visitors where people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to class or to work.

We use the acronym LGBTIQA+, which collectively refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning and asexual people but recognise that the community's diversity goes beyond these terms.

Our goal is to include the many people and communities who have additional ways of describing their distinct histories, experiences and needs.

The Charles Sturt Ally Network is an informal visible network of students and staff who are identified Allies to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, or members of related communities (LGBTIQA+). The Network acknowledges and supports sexual, sex, and gender diversity at Charles Sturt.

Since being established in 2014, the Ally Network has contributed to:

  • Charles  Sturt’s Institutional Support for Marriage Equality;
  • Marking and celebrating key dates of significance to the LGBTIQA+ community;
  • Sponsoring and participating in LGBTIQA+ events in our communities;
  • Permanent signs of visibility on campus; and
  • Continued advocacy and advancement of inclusion for LGBTIQA+ staff and students.

For a full list of current allies, please visit the Find an Ally web page.

Responsibilities of the Ally Network

The responsibilities of the Charles Sturt Ally Network members are to:

  • Increase  respect and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ staff and students and role model non-discriminatory practices and language;
  • Provide a safe and confidential environment for people to make enquiries regarding issues related to matters of sexual diversity and gender identity;
  • Act as a point of contact and provide a safe place for staff and students to seek support;
  • Provide information when required, and refer appropriately;
  • Allies will display visible signs of Ally membership, including, but not limited to, displaying a poster, email signature, and other physical merchandise provided;
  • Attend Charles Sturt University Ally Network meetings and events as regularly as possible;
  • Have a strategy with clearly defined action plans, timelines, and/or deliverables;
  • Exhibit the highest standards of ethical behaviour;
  • Report against this Strategy on an annual basis to the Equity & Diversity Committee; and
  • Act with an intersectional approach within the LGBTIQA+ community, and where possible, actively promote the visibility of Trans/Gender Diverse people, LGBTIQA+ women, Indigenous LGBTIQA+, LGBTIQA+ person of faith, LGBTIQA+ CALD, LGBTIQA+ of mature age, LGBTIQA+ living with disability and Intersex people.

Full Terms of Reference [PDF]

We offer the following training for members of the university community who’d like to learn more about sex and gender diversity and LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

LGBTIQA+ Awareness

This training is open to students and staff who want more information and knowledge about sex and gender diversity.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Delivery mode: Online by videoconference

What’s covered:

  • The importance of creating an inclusive culture at Charles Sturt;
  • Some of the experiences of LGBTIQA+ people;
  • The differences and diversity of sex characteristics, gender identity, and expression and sexual orientation; and
  • Actions that individuals can take to be active allies.

Empowering Allies

Empowering Allies training is only available after completing the LGBTIQA+ Awareness training and if you wish to join the Ally Network and be recognised as an Ally. Confirmation of attendance at an LGBTIQ+ Awareness session (or equivalent) is required before registering.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Delivery mode: Online by videoconference

What’s covered:

  • The role of allies;
  • Ally actions;
  • The importance of visibility; and
  • How one might ‘call out’ problematic behaviours.

How to enrol

Visit workshops and events to see upcoming training sessions and register.

Email ally@csu.edu.au if you have questions or if you would like to be added to the waiting list for future training.

The following organisations provide information, counselling, and social opportunities for LGBTIQA+ people. Some of these sites list many other support and community groups, social venues and events.

A Gender Agenda

A Gender Agenda works with all those who do not fit cultural assumptions about the male/female binary, whether because of their gender identity, gender presentation, history or biological characters. They provide support, advocacy, training and community development.

ACON NSW

ACON is New South Wales' leading health promotion organisation specialising in HIV and LGBTIQA+ health.

The Gender Centre

The Gender Centre provide a wide range of services to people with gender issues, their partners, family members and friends in New South Wales. They are an accommodation and counselling service for our gender questioning clients from the age of 16 and up, and also act as an education, support, training and referral resource centre to other organisations and service providers.

MCC Sydney

Metropolitan Community Church Sydney (MCC Sydney) is a dynamic, spiritual and friendly place of Christian worship. They welcome men and women of all ages, backgrounds and stages of their relationship with God. Our members and friends are a broad community of individuals and families who come together in gospel, communion, music and prayer.

National LGBTI Health Alliance

The National LGBTI Health Alliance is the national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people and other sexuality and gender diverse (LGBTI) people and communities.

PFLAG

PFLAG - Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays is a non-profit voluntary organisation whose members have a common goal of keeping families together. PFLAG offer help, support and information to families, friends of all lesbian and gay people.

QLIFE

QLife is Australia's first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for people of diverse sex, genders and sexualities. QLife provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer supported telephone and web based services to support LGBTIQA+ people of all ages.

1800 184 527 (5:30PM-10:30PM)

Reach Out

Reach Out is a site specifically dedicated to helping youth all over Australia come to terms with all sorts of issues they may have.

Twenty10

Twenty10 incorporating GLCS NSW is a community-based, non-profit, state-wide organisation, working with and supporting people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families and communities.

Headspace

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health) alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.

minus18!

minus18! are leading change, building social inclusion, and advocating for an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them.

Equality Australia

Equality Australia exists to improve the wellbeing and circumstances of LGBTIQ+ people in Australia and their families. They work with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people to build the power, voices and influence of our communities to address issues impacting the community.

Queerspace

Queerspace – for community, by community. counselling. case management. advocacy. research. training. professional development. consultancy.

TransHub

TransHub is ACON’s digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW, our loved ones, allies and health providers. You’ll find information about social, medical and legal affirmation, as well as health and support resources. TransHub also has lots of information to support allies and clinicians.