Transgender Policy

3. In this policy ‘Transgender’ (trans) is used to refer to the following groups:

• People who are proposing to take, are taking or have taken steps to change their gender identity. This includes people covered by the Equality Act definition: “A person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if the person is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning the person's sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex.”
• People who do not identify with a permanent binary gender identity, including those who identify in other ways, such as non-binary, genderfluid, genderqueer, gender variant, or agender. These terminologies are evolving and highly personal and this list is not exhaustive.

14. In particular the University aims to support trans students and staff through the process of transitioning, or making changes to their gender identity. This may include a number of formal and informal steps. 

15. The University will respect the confidentiality of trans members of the University community and will deal with information in relation to their trans status sensitively. It will only disclose such information where the disclosure is in compliance with the University's legal obligations.

16. If an individual notifies the University in writing of their intention to transition during their employment or education, the University will agree with them what steps should be taken. A trans person’s file will reflect their current name and gender, where possible. Any material that needs to be kept related to the person’s sex registered at birth should be stored confidentially. No records will be changed without the permission of the person concerned.

17. Where a person informs the University that they have received a Gender Recognition Certificate, the University will take reasonable steps to remove references to the individual’s former name and gender, save to the extent it needs to retain that information to comply with its legal obligations.

18. The University supports as far as possible an individual’s right to choose whether to be open about their gender identity and history. To ‘out’ someone, whether staff or student, without their permission may amount to a form of harassment and possibly a criminal offence.

19. Academic freedom and freedom of speech, as outlined in the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and Statute XII, are protected by law and by the University’s statutes and policies. This includes the ability within academic practice to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions. These rights must be exercised within the law and within reasonable restrictions set out in University policies and codes of practice.

20. Bullying and harassment of transgender people is unacceptable and may be regarded as grounds for disciplinary action, which may include expulsion or dismissal. Such behaviour will be dealt with under the University Harassment Policy and Procedures, for staff, and Statute XI, for students, as appropriate. Any such disciplinary action will be determined on the basis of the individual facts of the particular case.

21. The University will continue to consult and review the experiences of transgender students and staff under the oversight of the Joint Committee for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.