LGBTQIA+ and Ally Training

In 2023, ally@UNSW training will be completed as a 2.5- 3 hour workshop in person or online. Workshops will ONLY run once per term (three times during the year).

Training is open to all current UNSW staff, students and affiliated medical research institutes.  

If you have not completed Ally training (any iteration) at UNSW previously and you would like to become an official member of the ally@UNSW Network, you must complete this workshop.  

Staff who were Allies at previous organisations and have recently joined UNSW are still required to complete this workshop to become an ally@UNSW.  Allies must be equipped with UNSW-specific information, tools and resources specific to UNSW LGBTQIA+ communities. 

This workshop provides a safe space to learn about the lived experiences of people within LGBTQIA+ communities, with a clear focus on the university environment.   

Delivered in an interactive, hands-on format, this workshop helps participants harness their personal strengths to be an active ally@UNSW, by unpacking practical scenarios to enable courageous conversations, address discriminatory behaviours and leverage support services to confidentially assist staff and students within LGBTQIA+ communities. The workshop culminates with a 30-minute lived experience panel conversation with members of the UNSW Ally Steer Co.  

Specifically, the workshop supports staff and students to become active Allies by:  

• Increasing their understanding of the diverse experiences, unique challenges, impacts of discrimination within LGBTQIA+ communities
• Strengthening their capacity to apply and educate others on the differences between gender, sex and sexuality in relevant workplace and classroom settings
• Increasing their understanding and application of inclusive language, visibility, UNSW policy, services and resources
• Increasing their confidence to harness personal strengths and capabilities to actively support and uplift the voices of LGBTQIA+ communities, by using practical tools, concepts and real-life scenarios and experiences

Topics 

• LGBTQIA+ History 
• Personal Experiences of LGBTQIA+ Representation
• LGBTQIA+ Diversity 
• Breaking the Binary: Trans and Gender Diverse Communities & Intersex
• Inclusive Language & Pronouns
• Coming Out, Being Out and Inviting In
• Allyship and the importance of the ally@UNSW Network 
• Using Your Tools: UNSW and Community Supports & Services 
• In Real Life Classroom & Workplace Scenario Activities 
• Lived Experience Panel 

Once you complete the workshop, you will be required to complete a survey to confirm your ally@UNSW membership. We encourage all participants to become members of the ally@UNSW Network but understand that it’s not suitable for everyone. See more information about the roles of an ally@UNSW. 

Please note that due to the interactive, confidential nature of in-person training sessions, recordings are not available.

• All in-person training sessions will be held in wheelchair and lift accessible CATS rooms at UNSW Sydney Kensington campus (if not otherwise specified).  
• Facilitators and panellists will speak using lapel or wireless hand-held microphones. 
• Online training will have closed captioning enabled and transcripts can be provided upon request. 
• PowerPoint slides can be provided in advance of the training upon request. 
• Please indicate any further accessibility requirements in the registration form. 

• Attendance for this training is capped at 40 participants to ensure physical distancing can be maintained. 
• Masks are strongly encouraged in all indoor areas at UNSW. Please BYO mask. 
• Please note that this training may pivot online at short notice due to COVID restrictions, and you will be notified accordingly. 
• Do not attend training if you feel unwell, have recently experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

• Any ad hoc requests for ally@UNSW training specifically will only be considered for the 2024 schedule.
• Gender affirmation awareness training may be arranged for teams throughout the year on an as-needed basis. Please email Access, Equity & Inclusion to discuss training options. 
• LGBTQIA+ awareness training (monthly, online 1.5-hour live sessions) are available to all UNSW staff and students through UNSW’s LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion partner, Pride in Diversity. Please email Access, Equity & Inclusion for log in details.