LGBTIQA+ Rights at University

People from the LGBTQIA+ community continue to experience discrimination, victimisation, harassment and other issues in various areas of life. Sadly, university is no exception. If you believe your rights have been infringed upon, specialist legal advice can provide clarity about your options.

Our experts in LGBTQIA+ rights at university can advise on matters including both direct and indirect discrimination as well as harassment and victimisation. We can let you know if you have a case and support you through taking action to put things right.

We offer a fixed fee initial consultation with a specialist LGBTQIA+ solicitor in our education law team so you can explain your situation. We can talk you through how we may be able to help.

We can also assist on a wide range of other higher education law issues, as illustrated by these short case summaries.

We only act on behalf of students in relation to LGBTQIA+ rights at university. We do not represent universities. You can be assured that we are 100% on your side.

To find out more about how we can help you with LGBTQIA+ rights at university, please contact our education law senior legal administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230, Kinjal on 01895 207240 or by emailing educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk. We can help you.

What others say about IBB’s specialist education solicitors

“The gold standard team for higher education work. IBB is one of my main instructing solicitors and I always feel completely confident that they will do an excellent job for the client. The cases are meticulously prepared, and they are very client-focused and practical in their approach.”

“From the outset they listened and guided me through my options. I have been struck by the consistency in their process, their professionalism and empathy. Their strengths have definitely been in their willingness to collaborate with other legal professionals in order to give you the best possible chance of success. They don’t shy away from meeting online and so I really feel understood and cared for.”

“Very personal service where nothing is too much trouble. Prompt in all responses and no stone left unturned to advise thoroughly ensuring the best decision is made. Impressive high standards in all aspects of service. I can’t rate them highly enough.”

“I believe IBB Law Education Team have shown themselves to be true to their word. They have collaborated with me in terms of what to expect at each stage of my case. Their practice is transparent and open, also they are clear and concise regarding the fees.”

“The experience was excellent. I was able to sort out my issue in less than a month with the help of the team at IBB Law. Right from the beginning of contacting the firm, I was provided with all the support and communication with the team was also very smooth. I am more than happy to have contacted the firm. I would definitely recommend IBB Law to anyone that is going through a similar situation as mine.”

“IBB offer unrivalled skill and expertise when it comes to education law matters. They are very well-placed to represent students in all types of public and private law claims against universities. They also do a lot of work in the schools sector, in particular when representing parents in claims against independent schools. They are knowledgeable in the main areas of law that cut across these and associated areas of the education sector. Given their level of experience in these areas, they also have a very good practical understanding of the education sector and are geared towards achieving good practical outcomes for their clients.”

The Education Law Team at IBB is ranked by Legal 500. Legal 500 describe themselves as the leading guide to law firms and solicitors across the UK.

“Thank you so much for all your work on this. I have heard from staff and parents that safeguarding is now a huge priority for the school, so I feel that the action we took has had the desired effect.”

How our experts can help with LGBTQIA+ rights at university

Direct discrimination

Direct discrimination is where a person is treated less favourably or otherwise put at a disadvantage due to having a protected characteristic (as defined in the Equality Act 2010). LGBTQIA+ discrimination of this type is a criminal offence as both sexual orientation and gender reassignment are protected characteristics.

Our experts in LGBTQIA+ rights at university can advise on whether treatment you have experienced can be considered direct discrimination. We can then help you to report the issue and to seek a fair outcome.

Indirect discrimination

Indirect discrimination is where someone is negatively impacted by a policy or rule due to a protected characteristic such as their sexual orientation or gender reassignment. Often, this type of discrimination is unintentional but that does not mean the harm caused is any less serious.

If you have experienced indirect discrimination for being LGBTQIA+ at university, our team can step in to provide experienced support and guidance. We can work with you to challenge discriminatory policies and rules as well as take action over any harm you have experienced.

Harassment

Harassment is unwanted and repeated bad behaviour such as bullying. Where this is in relation to being LGBTQIA+ at university, it may be an offence under the Equality Act 2010.

Where you believe you have been the victim of harassment due to being LGBTQIA+ at university, help is available. Our experts can offer a fixed fee consultation to discuss your experience and inform you of your legal rights. We can then represent you in any action you wish to take against the university to ensure you are treated fairly and, in some circumstances, receive compensation for the discrimination you have experienced.

Victimisation

Sometimes, people will act to challenge discrimination and then find they are being treated unfairly as a result. This is victimisation, which is an offence under the Equality Act 2010.

In situations involving victimisation following LGBTQIA+ discrimination, we can help. We can assist both with raising the issue with your higher education provider as well as potentially reporting the issue to the police where appropriate.

Our LGBTQIA+ rights advice fees

We offer a fixed fee initial consultation with a specialist education solicitor, who particularly specialises in LGBTQIA+ issues at university. They will listen to your experience at university, read through any documents you have and discuss your needs. We can advise how we can help.

The initial fixed fee consultation meeting is online and can be arranged by contacting our education law senior legal administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230, administrator Kinjal on 01895 207240, or by emailing educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

After your initial consultation, if you would like our further help, we will advise you of the likely cost and agree that cost with you, before we begin working on your case. That way you will have complete transparency, certainty and control over the cost.  The precise cost will be set out in writing and will be based on the nature of the work to be undertaken, the complexity of the work involved and which lawyer will be assisting you.

For more information on our education law pricing, please get in touch.

Common questions about LGBTQIA+ rights at university

What are the struggles of LGBTQIA+ students at university?

LGBTQIA+ students can struggle with a range of issues when it comes to studying at university. Sadly, discrimination, harassment and victimisation of LGBTQIA+ students still occur all too often.

Other problems members of the LGBTQIA+ community can face in higher education include:

• False assumptions and misunderstandings from academic staff, support staff and other students.
• Lack of inclusion in extracurricular activities, such as sports.
• Curricula that are not inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people.
• Lack of inclusive facilities.
• Failure to provide support for concerns about studying abroad in countries that may have laws that do not protect or are actively hostile to LGBTQIA+ people.

If you are experiencing difficulties as a person who is LGBTQIA+ at university, advice from our education law experts can help you to understand your rights and take appropriate action.

How can universities be more LGBTQIA+ inclusive?

Making universities more LGBTQIA+ inclusive is an ongoing issue. Steps universities can take include engaging with students and LGBTQIA+ organisations to understand students’ needs and concerns. Making sure that students have a voice and that they are listened to is one of the most important moves a university can make, which is one of the reasons our education law experts are such strong advocates for the students we represent.

How can universities make LGBTQIA+ students feel more safe?

There are various steps universities can take to help LGBTQIA+ students feel safer. This includes having clear policies on inclusion, discrimination, harassment and victimisation and, crucially, making sure that those policies are effective in practice. Universities can also have good processes for LGBTQIA+ students to report any issues and robust procedures for investigating and acting on any concerns raised.

What are LGBTQIA+ rights at university?

There are no specific LGBTQIA+ laws with respect to universities, but there is protection for members of the community under the Equality Act 2010. Under this Act, it is unlawful to discriminate against someone on the basis of certain protected characteristics, which include sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

Call today to discuss your case with our solicitors specialising in LGBTQIA+ rights at university

To find out more about how we can help you with LGBTQIA+ rights at university, please contact our education law senior legal administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230, Kinjal on 01895 207240 or by emailing educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk. We can help you.