Somerville College’s ethos has always been and will always be to include the excluded. As an inclusive community, we see trans rights and women’s rights not in opposition to each other, but as part of the same struggle for dignity, equality and human rights that we are proud to support. As a college, we will always strive to ensure that everyone in our community feels safe, welcome and supported to succeed. We know some students will be feeling fear and uncertainty as we await updated guidance from the EHRC and from the University. Naturally we will always uphold the law, and we additionally reiterate our commitment:
- Never to tolerate harassment, bullying or discriminatory behaviour towards anyone, noting that discrimination against transgender people remains prohibited by the Equality Act 2010;
- To continue supporting the rights and wellbeing of our trans and gender non-conforming staff and students;
- To create an inclusive, open and supportive culture for all;
- To meet with our transgender students and staff to discuss how we can best support them.
Trans and non-binary people are our students, our colleagues and our friends, whose rights and freedoms we are proud to champion. These commitments will not change, and we will continue to listen to, include and consider the needs of all members of our community.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind students that they can receive support from our Welfare Lead and Student Welfare Advisers.