Contributing to equality, diversity, and increased visibility of the LGBTIQA+ community, Griffith University is celebrating Pride Week and reflecting on the positive actions which help make Griffith an inclusive environment to work and study.
Hosted by What’s on at Griffith under Griffith Sport, Events Coordinator Amy Cook said Pride Week provides the opportunity for students to stand in solidarity with people of diverse genders, bodies and sexualities (DGBS/LGBTIQA+) and their allies.
Griffith Sport Events Coordinator Amy Cook.
“Griffith Sport is promoting and increasing the inclusion of the LGBTIQA+ community within the university and wider community and providing a space for students, staff and members of the public to safely socialise, work and play,” Ms Cook said.
“The inaugural Pride Week is being hosted on the Brisbane campuses with events at Logan, Mount Gravatt, South Bank and Nathan.”
Griffith’s initiatives to increase visibility of LGBTIQA+ communities include the rainbow painted stairway at Southbank, the rainbow pedestrian crossing at Nathan and Gold Coast and the Pride in Sport Safe Space campaign.
Griffith is also building its reputation as an LGBTIQA+ inclusive organization and achieved Silver Tier Employer Status with the Australian Workplace Equity Index (AWEI) in 2022.
This improvement was largely driven by the Griffith Pride Committee who provides strategic advice to the University on matters related to gender, bodies and sexuality diversity and inclusion.
Lead by the Griffith Pride Committee, the Griffith Ally Network comprises trained Griffith staff and students who support and affirm the experiences of people who are of diverse genders, bodies, and sexualities at Griffith. This network has grown from 32 members in 2019 to 177 in April 2023.
Griffith Pride Committee Member and Student Success and Support Manager, Dr Sophiaan Bin Subhan said the online program helps allies to understand the experiences of LGBTIQA+ people so they can provide support when needed.
Griffith Pride Committee Member and Student Success and Support Manager, Dr Sophiaan Bin Subhan.
“Being a good ally is being self-aware and having empathy,” Dr Bin Subhan said.
“I think people generally want to do good and support those who are marginalized or discriminated against, but don’t necessarily understand the lived experience other than their own.
“As an ally who identifies within the LGBTIQA+ community, I learn from my community and try to pass on this knowledge through to others.
“Regardless of your relationship with the LGBTIQA+ community if you’d like to become an ally, I recommend enrolling in the online workshops.
“When someone reaches out for help, often friends and peers are the first point of contact, so it’s beneficial for anyone to consider taking a workshop.
“Being able to direct people to support networks is a valuable skill and can help people in a big way.”
Griffith Pride Week activities for students:
@ South Bank Campus – Monday 8 May – 11am — 2pm
@ Mt Gravatt Campus – Tuesday 9 May – 11am — 2pm – Includes Street Fair on the Mountain
@ Nathan Campus – Wednesday 10 May – 10am — 2pm
@ Logan Campus – Thursday 11 May -11am – 2pm
Food Truck, FREE Rainbow Cookie Giveaway, FREE Condom Giveaway, Glitter Face Paint Workshop, Support Services, Live Music
Join the Ally Network:
Griffith/Pride in Diversity facilitated LGBTQA+ Inclusion Workshop on Wednesday, 10 May, 1-2.30pm AEST
Available to Griffith staff and students, you can increase your knowledge and education with Pride in Diversity online course:
Pride in Diversity Online Learning – LGBTQ Awareness on Thursday, 11 May, 3-4.30pm AEST
IDAHOBIT Panel Discussion: LGBTQ Allyship in Action on Monday, 15 May, 3-4pm AEST
IDAHOBIT Training Session: Empowering Allies on Tuesday, 16 May, 4-5pm AEST
