Sexual Orientation
What does the term Sexual Orientation mean?
| Common meaning: | Description: | Other term: |
| Opposite sex attraction = | ‘Heterosexual’ | ‘Straight’ |
| Attraction to both sexes = | ‘Bisexual’ or ‘Bi’ | ‘Ambisexual’ |
| Same sex attraction = | ‘Gay’ or ‘Lesbian’ | ‘Homosexual’ (outdated and potentially offensive to the community in Scotland) |
| Non-sexual attraction = | ‘Asexual’ | ‘Non-sexual’ |
Latest Awareness/Guidance:
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender
Equality Staff Briefing on Sexual Orientation, a good practice guide on law for managers and staff, download:
Equality Staff Briefing on Sexual Orientation (PDF, 386 KB)
Guide to the University of St Andrews Students' Association LGBT Society, download: Student Assoc Uni Guide to LGBT (PDF, 14,883 KB)
17 May 2012 marked 'International Day Against Homophobia', 20 years to the day that the 'World Health Organisation' made the groundbreaking decision to remove the term "homosexuality" from its list of mental disorders. Britain named the best place in Europe for LGBT rights by the International LGBT & Intersex Association - download:
- Rainbow Europe Map A (PDF, 3,818 KB)
- Rainbow Index side B (PDF, 5,801 KB)
Stonewall Scotland:
The University is proud to be working in partnership with Stonewall Scotland on their Good Practice Programme providing a list of essential resources and methods plus on our progress, refer to webpage: Stonewall Programme
LGBT Charter Mark:
The University recently submitted its application to be awarded the Charter Mark for designing and developing LGBT inclusive staff/student policy and service provision, refer to our webpage: LGBT Charter Mark
For HE Sector-wide guidance, log onto the ECU webpage to view: HE Inclusive Practice for Sexual Orientation
List of Previous Events:
'LGBT Meet and Greet' was held on 12 Sep 2012 in teh SU, open to all staff and students providing a great opportunity to learn more about the LGBT community at the University, plus meeting the reps from 'LGBT Scotland', an organisation the University has been successfully working in partnership with for the 'LGBT Charter Mark'.
'LGBT Film Festival' was held on 13-17 April 2012 at the Byre Theatre organised by the University LGBT Society screening a medley of international LGBT films:
G-Fest programme (PDF, 1,618 KB)
'Queer Question Time' was held at the University to discuss issues affecting the LGBT community, on Friday, 17 February 2012, 8pm-10:30pm, organised by the LGBT Society: www.saintsLGBT.co.uk
'LGBT Members of Staff Coffee Evening' was held on Tuesday 29 November 2011, 7pm-9pm, organised by the LGBT Society President.