RMIT promotes equality and inclusion for staff and students who identify with LGBTIQA+.
RMIT promotes equity and inclusion for LGBTIQA+ staff and students including, but not limited to, those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning, and asexual.
This work is guided by RMIT’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Framework, which was developed in consultation and partnership with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) student and staff community members both within RMIT, and within the broader community.
RMIT’s LGBTIQA+ Working Group is responsible for guiding and contributing to the implementation of the IDEA Framework, and comprises senior leaders, key stakeholders and those with lived experience, both students and staff. If you want to contact a member of the LGBTIQA+ Working Group, join the LGBTIQA+ Staff Network, talk to a local RMIT Ally in your area or speak with a Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, contact inclusion@rmit.edu.au or People Connect for referral.
Check out information and support services for LGBTIQA+ students.
RMIT at Midsumma 2023
RMIT was proud to celebrate the LGBTIQA+ community and demonstrate our commitment to inclusion and diversity with our participation in the 2023 Midsumma Festival.
Many staff, students and alumni, their families and even a few pets, took part!
Watch our Midsumma highlights video and take a look at our photos.
RMIT services, groups and networks
RMIT Pride
RMIT Active is proud to support students and staff within our community who identify as LGBTIQA+. We are committed to ensuring our sports clubs, social sports offering, projects and events are inclusive.
RUSU Queer Department
The RUSU Queer Department exists to represent, advocate for and empower RMIT students who identify as LGBTIQA+. Check out the RMIT University Student Union Queer Department for events, activities and dedicated queer lounges on all Melbourne campuses.
LGBTIQA+ Staff Network
We welcome RMIT staff members who are part of the LGBTIQA+ community to join RMIT's own LGBTIQA+ Staff Network. The network will provide opportunities to participate in events, network and a range of other activities.
RMIT Ally Network
The RMIT Ally Network promotes equality and inclusion for staff and students who identify as LGBTIQA+. The network welcomes staff from the RMIT community of all genders, sexes, and sexualities.
To become a member, you will need to undertake both the LGBTIQA+ 101 introductory online module and an LGBTIQA+ Best Practice workshop. These combined learning opportunities will help you:
- Become familiar and comfortable with the range of identities and circumstances within the LGBTIQA+ community
- Creating a culture of respect and inclusion within your teams and in your work practice
- How to become a visible ally for LGBTIQA+ people here at RMIT
- Becoming aware of the support services available here at RMIT and in the broader community
Ally Training for individual teams and work areas can be arranged on request. For any queries, please email inclusion@rmit.edu.au.
3 Ways to be an Effective Rainbow Ally
1. Educate yourself and others
Being an ally is not a title, it's a commitment. It’s an active process that is based on the decisions we all make and the actions we take.
Continuing to learn about the history and challenges LGBTQIA+ communities face is a good first step. To learn about student-specific resources, visit the LGBTIQA+ Students page.
2. Take Action
Being genuine in your intention, action, and contribution is the difference between true allyship and what others may feel is tokenistic support. Action can take the form of calling out unsupportive behaviors of others or even your own and maintaining the commitment to check in with friends, family or colleagues.
When offering support in this way it is important to listen, empathise and validate. You never know how much someone may need to talk about their experience and what good this could do for both their physical and mental wellbeing.
3. Mindful Behaviors
It’s important to understand what acceptable and supportive behavior is and is not. This starts with accepting advice from LGBTQIA+ community members and realigning future behavior or language, keeping in mind inclusion and diversity is something to be celebrated and embraced!
This could begin as simply checking in with someone on their chosen pronouns or understanding etiquette around gender neutral amenities.
RMIT Staff can access further detail here, including learning and development opportunities.
LGBTIQA+ Research Network
The LGBTIQA+ Research Network is run by and for research students and staff at RMIT who identify as and/or conduct research with the LGBTIQA+ communities. The Research Network is a safe space where we can express our identities and discuss our work within a supportive community of scholars.
The Network runs monthly seminars as well as monthly social catch ups.
To join, contact Emily Gray: emily.gray@rmit.edu.au
All gender toilets
Across our Victorian campuses, there are a number of all gender and accessible toilets that students can utilise.
Policies and procedures
Gender Affirmation
RMIT is committed to supporting all students and staff to bring their whole selves to study and work.
The RMIT Gender Affirmation Guide is a toolkit for students and staff who wish to affirm their gender. It is also designed to help allies, managers and student-facing staff to support their students and colleagues with guidance on processes, templates and emails, and links to internal supports and external organizations that can provide further assistance.
Download the RMIT Gender Affirmation Guide PDF (or Word version)
Supporting students to use a preferred or chosen name
We are committed to supporting our students to use a preferred or chosen name at RMIT, recognising the significant impact this can have on mental health, participation, success and retention.
For guidance please visit Trans and Gender Diverse at RMIT, or to discuss this further, please contact inclusion@rmit.edu.au.
RMIT Dress Code
Staff and students who identify as trans, gender diverse, non-binary or another gender identity are free to dress in a manner that affirms their gender identity. RMIT does not have a formal dress code and supports our community to dress in attire that makes them comfortable, while allowing them to the successfully engage with their work and/or studies. For any questions related to appropriate dress at work, feel free to contact People Connect.
Memberships and accreditations
Pride in Diversity and Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI)
RMIT is a member of Pride in Diversity and participates in the AWEI external benchmarking to accelerate actions and improve the experience of staff and students. RMIT achieved Employer of the Year for LGBTIQ inclusion in 2019 and 2020, along with recognition as a Gold Employer. In 2021, RMIT commenced a 2-year project as ‘platinum member’ and are proud to be leading the establishment of a national LGBTIQ+ Research Network.
As a member organisation, all RMIT staff have access to Pride in Diversity research, events and resources. For membership information including login details please contact People Connect.
Diversity Council of Australia (DCA)
Diversity Council Australia is the independent not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
As a member organisation, all RMIT staff have access to their research, events and resources. For membership information including login details please contact People Connect.
Concerns and complaints
Our People Connect (for staff) and student complaint management teams are all trained RMIT Allies and participate in regular briefings to understand the sensitivities of the LGBTIQA+ community.
If you have experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination, find how to report a complaint here if you are a staff member and here if you are a student.
To learn more about the University’s approach and see examples of what might constitute bullying, harassment and discrimination, see Preventing Workplace Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination for the LGBTIQA+ community (PDF 159KB).
RMIT’s Employee Assistance Program – Benestar
RMIT’s Employee Assistance provider, Benestar, shares RMIT’s value of inclusion and strives to ensure their workforce reflects the communities they service.
Benestar’s priority access framework promotes efficient support to clients who identify as LGBTIQA+, matching them with an LGBTIQA+ trained clinician when they are seeking counselling or coaching services. Learn more about Benestar’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
People Connect - Staff Allies
HR Staff Allies have been trained to provide support to LGBTIQA+ staff. Please note, as with any People contact, conversations will be kept confidential.
- Mat Lewis (he/him)
- Sharon Reilly (she/her)
- Amy Love (she/her)
- Joyce Farrugia (she/her)
- Luke Coster (he/him)
For support outside of Human Resources, the following RMIT Allies are available for confidential and informal discussions regarding being a member of the LGBTIQA+ community at RMIT:
- Bec Clarke (she/her), Coordinator Student Service (Concierge)
- Kenneth Wentworth (he/him), Student Service Officer
- Lena Lukic (she/her), Student Welfare Advisor
We understand and acknowledge that individuals within the LGBTIQA+ community face distinct challenges when seeking and participating in support services such as counseling, and domestic and family violence support. We know that the LGBTIQA+ community possesses unique requirements when it comes to these supports, and frequently encounter discrimination within these support systems which can significantly impact their health and support outcomes.
It is crucial to ensure that the LGBTIQA+ community has access to services designed to cater to their specific needs. Below, we have provided a list of external support services tailored to the LGBTIQA+ community, which can be accessed in conjunction with the services available to RMIT staff.
External support services
- Switchboard - Community-based not for profit organisation providing peer based, volunteer run support service for LGBTQI people and their friends, families and allies.
- QLife - Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referrals for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
- Thorne Harbour Health - Australia’s oldest HIV/AIDS and LGBTI health organisation and Victoria’s largest (formerly the Victorian AIDS Council).
- Rainbow Health Victoria - Supporting LGBTIQ health and wellbeing through research and knowledge translation, training, resources, policy advice and service accreditation through the Rainbow Tick.
- LGBTIQ+ Health Australia - The national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused LGBTIQ+ people and communities.
Community groups
Career and networking
Research and history
Family
Media and events
Sport
- LGBTQ Sports Club Directory
- Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusion in Sport (Victorian Equality Opportunity and Human Rights Commission)
- Pride Cup
