National Coming Out Day is observed annually on the 11th October to celebrate coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBT community and civil rights movement. The University of Aberdeen is a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a programme for ensuring all LGBT people are accepted without exception in the workplace and we extend this commitment to not only our staff but to our students as well.
As part of the National Coming Out Day celebrations, the LGBT+ Staff and Postgraduate Student Network are hosting a panel discussion about the experience of coming out, both in personal and professional circumstances. The panel will include academics, professional services, and undergraduate and postgraduate students so that the range of LGBT experience in higher education can be heard.
Professor Margaret Ross, Vice Principal for People said
“Sadly, we know that the incidence of mental health problems is often higher in the LGBT community and this can be associated with issues surrounding coming out. In keeping with our mental health strategy, we want to make it entirely clear to all staff and students that the University of Aberdeen is a place where everyone can be themselves, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The panel discussion will take place on Wednesday 11th October, 7-8pm in MacRobert 051.