Lead with Love
At ECU, we strive to be a place of belonging for all staff and students and are commitment to supporting and celebrating our community members who are diverse in their sex, sexuality and/or gender, including but not limited to those who identify as LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer, Asexual or Questioning).
Pride @ ECU is about the inclusion of LGBTIQA+ students, staff and community with a strong focus on addressing systemic and cultural barriers so that all ECU community members can be proud of who they are, who they love and where they study and work.
The ALLY Network is a group of like minded ECU staff who actively and visibly support the rights and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ populations through visibility, awareness raising and activities.
ECU’s first LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee, named Pride @ ECU, was established in 2019 to provide high level advice and consultation to the University on matters that impact LGBTIQA+ populations. Pride @ ECU is responsible for leading institutional conversations around LGBTIQA+ inclusion, monitoring LGBTIQA+ initiatives (including the ALLY Network and LGBTIQA+ Staff Network) and demonstrating and promoting inclusive practice across the whole University.
What does Pride @ ECU mean to you?
Pride @ ECU means ECU is focused on inclusion. It means a safer environment for all staff and students. A place where people can be their authentic selves.
What does Pride @ ECU mean to you?
The opportunity to see everyone flourish in a safe and inclusive environment.
ECU is passionate about ensuring a safe, inclusive and affirming learning and working environment for people of all genders, including those who are trans, gender diverse, non-binary or who are affirming their gender. Support is available to both students and staff to affirm their gender at ECU for more information contact equity@ecu.edu.au or (08) 6304 6170.
We are committed to ensuring that all students, staff and alumni are well supported to be themselves and explore, express and affirm their gender at ECU and beyond.
The Trans, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary (TGDNB) Support Guidelines are designed to provide information and support to anyone who has previously, is currently, or may in the future affirm their gender within ECU, regardless of the language they use to describe their identity or where they are in their personal journey.
In response to a student-led initiative, in 2019 ECU introduced all gender bathrooms across all three campuses. This is to ensure that regardless of gender or expression, all staff, students and visitors have access to safe and affirming facilities while on campus. Everyone is encouraged to use the bathroom that they feel most comfortable with and that affirms their gender.
| Joondalup Campus | Mount Lawley Campus | South West Campus |
|---|---|---|
| 2.122 | 1.2100 | 3.115 |
| 8.209 | 3.105 | 4.163 |
| 21.103 | 8.215 | 6.109 |
| 22.129 | 10.138 | 7.108 |
| 31.225 | 15.117 | |
| 34.132B | 21.109 |
Our inclusive approach to data collection communicates to LGBTIQA+ students, staff and community members that ECU actively considers them and they are welcome, respected and valued here.
The LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Data Collection Guidelines provides guidance for ECU staff when developing internal and informal data collection methods such as surveys, event registrations and forms.
Each year throughout the month of November, Pride Month is celebrated across Western Australia. ECU is proud to celebrate Pride Month from both our Perth campuses and South West campus. We also acknowledge different days of significance throughout the year such as Wear it Purple Day, International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex prejudice and Transphobia (IDAHoBIT) or Transgender Day of Visibility.
Keep an eye on our latest news and events for upcoming activities or events.
ECU has developed a range of Pride related merchandise for staff and students to display, wear with pride and show their support for our LGBTIQ communities. You may even see our Pride decorated electric vehicle or utility vehicle around the streets of Perth and on campus.
For more information, contact equity@ecu.edu.au
ECU is committed to ensuring that LGBTIQA+ community members have safe and equitable access to ALL aspects of ECU life, including ensuring our sporting clubs and teams are welcoming places for LGBTIQA+ people. A useful resource for any ECU sporting association, staff or students wishing to be involved in sport is Pride in Sports or the below documents.
In 2019, a group of LGBTIQA+ staff members established the ECU LGBTIQA+ Staff Network for all LGBTIQ staff members to connect and support each other through social events and activities. You can join the network and stay up to date with upcoming activities by emailing ally@ecu.edu.au and expressing your interest in the LGBTIQA+ Staff Network.
ECU is proud to be a member of Pride in Diversity, the national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTIQA+ workplace inclusion. ECU participates in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) which is the national bench marking study that allows us to assess our progress in the area of LGBTIQA+ inclusion. This assessment includes a yearly survey to measure the visibility and success of our LGBTIQA+ inclusion initiatives and for staff to have their say.
ECU Queer Collective is a student run club which exists to support all LGBTIQA+ students through the running of social activities as well as those that raise awareness for the struggles that LGBTIQA+ people can face. ECU Queer Collective also run regular 'safe spaces' on campus throughout semester where you can meet other LGBTIQA+ students. You can get in touch with the Queer Collective by emailing ecu.queer.collective@gmail.com
What does Pride @ ECU mean to you?
Visibility so that all students feel safe, accepted and able to be whom they truly are.
What does Pride @ ECU mean to you?
Feeling safe where I study and promoting an environment of growth.
The Pinnacle Foundations provides scholarships to LGBTIQA+ students between the ages of 17-26 who are studying full-time. These scholarships are designed to support those students whose sex characteristics, gender or sexuality has prevented or hindered their academic achievements or aspirations.
For more information, you can visit The Pinnacle Foundation website.
In addition to the internal resources and supports listed on the equity resources, support and training page, you can see a list of WA’s key LGBTIQA+ community services below.
For more information about resources and supports available to LGBTIQA+ people, you can contact the Equity Projects Team by emailing equity@ecu.edu.au or calling (08) 6304 6170.
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Phone: 1800 184 527
Webchat: www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat
Website: www.qlife.org.au
FC hosts a range of drop in sessions for young LGBTIQA+ people (under 26). FC is a safe space to hang out, have fun, meet other LGBTIQA+ young people, get peer-support and any information you may need.
Phone: 08 9228 0354
Website: www.freedom.org.au
Email: info@freedom.org.au
Drop in: 93 Brisbane Street, Perth
Trans Folk of WA is a support service for all transgender people and their loved ones in Western Australia. The organisation provides online and face-to-face peer support.
Website: www.transfolkofwa.org
Email: admin@transfolkofwa.org
Intersex Human Rights Australia is a national not-for-profit company by and for people born with variations of sex characteristics. Formerly known as OII Australia.
Website: www.ihra.org.au
Email: info@ihra.org.au
OUT South West aims to promote community awareness and inclusivity of LGBTIQA+ issues in the South West region of Western Australia.
Email: outsouthwest@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/outsouthwestwa/
We would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Noongar people, the traditional custodians of the land upon which ECU's campuses stand and programs operate.
