Coming out at university

"Higher Education provides an important space where LGBT students are able to 'be themselves' and establish an independent adult identity away from the childhood contexts of school and family life".

Equality Challenge Unit Report 2009: "The experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff and students in higher education"

This is a very important and positive message and to enhance this supportive environment you may welcome help or advice on the process of 'coming out'.

Coming out can feel quite daunting and is different for everyone. Stonewall, the national campaigning and lobbying organisation who campaign on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people has produced a comprehensive coming out guide which you can download here .

Student Welfare Provision

The Student Gateway based in Gateway House has a range of services dedicated to helping you to make the most of student life. Staff are here to offer confidential advice and support when you need it.

Your first point of contact with Student and Academic Services will be through one of our guidance assistants. They may be able to answer your question straight away, signpost you in the right direction to get the information you need. We have money, welfare and housing advisors, people who can advise on getting the right support for learning, counsellors and mental health and inclusion officers. Appointments can be booked through our guidance assistants at the Student Gateway or online via My Gateway.

The Student Gateway
Ground Floor,
Gateway House 0.10
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
T: +44 (0)116 257 7595
E: studentgateway@dmu.ac.uk

Welfare, Advice and guidance from external organisations

PACE, the LGBT mental health charity
Leicester LGBT Centre
Trade Sexual Health Leicester

Careers advice offered to LGBT students

The Careers and Employability service is committed to encouraging and empowering all students and graduates to achieve their full potential and to make well informed decisions about their careers.

All Careers and Employability staff at DMU treat students with dignity, respect and understanding, and give non-judgmental impartial and confidential careers information advice and guidance.

We also provide our students and graduates the following online careers guides:

Guide to your rights around sexual orientation issues
Guide to finding LGBT positive employers
Guide to disclosing your sexual orientation to employers
Guide to your rights around trans issues
Guide to disclosing your trans status to employers
Guide to finding trans positive employers