We have an active student body and staff members who support the rights of our LGBTQ+* community and are proud to be one of Stonewall's top 100 employers for LGBTQ+ people.

This might be the first time thinking about your sexual orientation or gender identity. Whether you're out, prefer not to be visible, or are unsure of your sexual and/or gender identity, you are welcome in our community and will be treated with dignity and respect.

LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term for diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, including those outside of the binary. It encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and more, represented by the +. 

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2024

Wednesday 20 November marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people and remember those we have lost.

Join us and the Students' Union (SU) for an afternoon/evening of events to commemorate the day, which includes a vigil. 

  • 14:00-16:00: Queer Crafternoon in ‘That End’ of the North Side, University House. Join your SU for an afternoon of arts and crafts including, friendship bracelet making, origami, knitting and crocheting and more.
  • 16:45-17:00: Hot drinks provided in 'That End' of North Side then a walk to the front of University House for the vigil.
  • 17:00-18:00: A vigil to remember those who have lost their lives to transphobic violence, including a name reading by one of our lecturers from our Social Work course. There will be an opportunity for you to get involved with reading names out, if you would like to do so.
  • 18:00 onwards: Vigil in Sackville Gardens. If you would like to join, you can make your way down with other students and staff. If you would like to share a speech or reading at this vigil, please email hello@notaphase.org.
We're here for you

Read our messages of support

We want our LGBTQ+ students and staff members to feel safe and supported here at Salford. That's why we are proud to share the messages of support, encouragement, and solidarity left by our students and staff members to members of our LGBTQ+ community, especially those who identify as transgender to reflect the current hostility and discrimination they face. 

On behalf of the Salford Proud Network, we would like to express our gratitude to our Trans Lead, Jae Howell, as well as the wider EDI team for their collaborative efforts in bringing this initiative to life.

A message from Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford:

"In the complex dynamics of human identities, the huge benefits of diversity come from all of us being open-minded and open-hearted to learn from people who have differences to us. Diversity and learning should be our watchwords in developing our appreciation of each other and of the social challenges people face in being themselves."

A message from Professor Sam Grogan, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience:

"Salford is a university which celebrates and values its diversity. We have a number of support networks and resources available for trans and non-binary people, as well as members of the wider LGBTQ+ community. I’d like to let all our communities know that the University is a safe space where we actively promote and champion inclusivity and belonging. Everyone is welcome here."

Join local LGBTQ+ groups

Find your community

Whether you're looking for a group of like-minded friends to explore Manchester's gay village with or a supportive listening ear, there are LGBTQ+ groups within the University and wider community that you can join.

We're here for you

Support for LGBTQ+ staff and students

If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or are questioning your sexuality or gender identity, there are lots of ways we can support you to make sure you feel safe and comfortable while you study or work. 

Explore Our Support

Specialist and Peer Support

For students who are LGBTQ+ or are questioning their identity, we offer support to create a safe and welcome environment that is inclusive of your sexuality and gender identity. Our specialist advisers can share resources for anyone seeking assistance or support in expressing and exploring identity, no matter where you fall on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and can help you find your community through our Befriending/Mentoring Service or groups like our Salford Trans and Non-Binary Forum and Trans Peer Support Group.

If you wish to go through any form of transition at university, the team can also support you by changing names, gender, pronouns, titles, referring you to external and internal specialist support etc at the speed that you feel comfortable with.

Visit our webpage to learn more.

Health Centre

While most health issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals are similar to those of the general population, we know that LGBTQ+ people have unique health needs and can experience disparities in care. In 2018, our Health Centre was awarded a Gold standard for ‘excellence in LGBT healthcare’ through LGBT Foundation’s Pride in Practice quality assurance scheme which trains and accredits GP practices for ongoing support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans patients.

Support we offer:

  • Full sexual health screenings
  • Contraception – Pills, patches, implants, coils and injections
  • Bridging prescriptions* after consultation with one of the GPs
  • Changing your gender assigned at birth on your medical record after a discussion with a GP
  • Changing your name and prefix in your medical record without Gender Recognition Certificate or Deed Poll
  • Referrals to Gender Identity Clinics
  • Referrals for gamete storage, I.E. freezing your sperm or eggs, to be used at a later date
  • Support with administering injectables and teaching safe self-injection 

Visit the Health Centre's webpage for full details

*A bridging prescription is a temporary prescription of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), issued by a GP to a patient who is waiting for specialist treatment.

Report It

Homophobia and transphobia are never OK. If you experience (or witness) concerning behaviour, let us know via Report It to ensure you, or the person affected, are supported and to help prevent things like this from happening in the future.

This is a safe and confidential way to report a hate crime and is handled by our expert Respect, Culture and Behaviors team. It's not an official report but if you do want to report it officially, the team can support you with this. You can also report anonymously but by not providing your name or contact details we cannot offer you support or take action against your report. However, it will allow us to identify any emerging issues we need to respond to. 

Learn more about Report It on our website

Wellbeing and Counselling

There may be times at university when you need to speak to someone because you need support with a personal issue, or you need someone to listen. It may be a worry that you feel like you can’t discuss with your friends, family or tutor.

If you would like to talk through your worries in a confidential setting, our Wellbeing and Counseling team are here for you. Book an appointment with one of our Wellbeing Advisers to talk it over or be supported and referred to more acute mental health services where appropriate. This service also runs a group session for transgender students.

Visit our Wellbeing and Counselling webpage

External Support

Salford and Manchester has a thriving LGBTQ+ community and there are lots of local groups you can turn to for support. Here are just a few: