LGBTQIA+ resources and support

SUPRA affirms every person’s right to safely and equitably access tertiary education, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity, or intersex status.

This article includes an overview of: 

• LGBTQIA+ support at the University of Sydney 
• LGBTQIA+ services in NSW 
• LGBTQIA+ allyship at the University 
• LGBTQIA+ language and terminology.

The LGBTQIA+ community includes people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, bi+, transgender, gender diverse, queer, intersex, asexual, and those who are questioning their identity.

The + acknowledges that the LGBTQIA+ acronym is always evolving, and there are many identities and experiences not fully represented by the acronym.

LGBTQIA+ support at the University of Sydney

While you are at the University of Sydney, you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times. These rights are affirmed by the University’s policies, as well as state and federal law.

If you are made to feel unsafe at any time by University staff or your peers, you can seek support through the services below. You can also lodge a complaint to the University, or to the National Student Ombudsman (NSO).

For a further overview of the supports and resources available to you as a student, visit the University’s LGBTIQIA+ contacts and support page.

SUPRA’s Queer Network

SUPRA’s Queer Network aims to make the University a safer, more inclusive and affirmative space for LGBTQIA+ students. It is an autonomous network of LGBTQIA+ postgraduate students from across the University, who regularly host social events and other activities and offer peer support and advocacy training.  For more information, contact the SUPRA Queer Officer at queer@supra.usyd.edu.au, or join the group on Facebook.

LGBTQIA+ Student Support Liaison Officers (SSLOs)

SSLOs are staff volunteers who have received specialised training to support students who are affirming their genders. SSLOs aim to promote inclusion and support for LGBTQIA+ students at the University and can provide information about resources to promote health, safety and connection with other students and the community.

Other support at Usyd

Pride Network 
The Pride Network is a Usyd initiative that seeks to ensure the Uni is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students and staff. They hold various meetings throughout the year. 

SHADES 
SHADES is a student-run society that organises social events for LGBTQIA+ students and their friends. 

Sydney University Law Society (SULS) Queer Committee 
SULS’ queer portfolio provides support to LGBTQIA+ law students.

The Queer Space 
A safe space for LGBTQIA+ students to hang out on campus. The Queer Space can be found in room G10 on the ground floor of the Manning Building, Camperdown Campus.

Usyd Queer Action Collective (QuAC) 
QuAC is the undergraduate queer collective, seeking to make Usyd and the wider community a better place for everyone. QuAC runs social events and regularly meets in The Queer Space.

For more information, visit the SRC or contact queer.officers@src.usyd.edu.au. 

LGBTQIA+ services in NSW

ACON 
ACON offers a range of free and affordable counselling services for LGBTQIA+ adults in NSW. Their services include Pride Counselling, Care Coordination, HIV Counselling, Substance Support and Home-Based Care.

Headspace Camperdown Queer Group 
A group for LGBTQIA+ young people aged 16 – 25 to hang out and connect.

Twenty10 
An LGBTQIA+ organisation based in Chippendale for young people aged 12 – 25. They offer counselling, casework and transitional housing services. They also offer social support services that include drop-in and social events. Twenty10 also offers referral support and information for people of all ages.

The Gender Centre 
The Gender Centre provide a range of services for trans and gender diverse people across NSW, including counselling, casework and accommodation support.

TransHub 
TransHub is ACON’s digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, as well as their loved ones, allies and health providers. TransHub includes information on school and university, as well as information for educators and allies. One key resource is their Trans Vitality Toolkit, which includes resources to help build resilience, connection and understanding.

QLife 
QLife is a free, anonymous LGBTQIA+ peer support phone and webchat service, available every day of the year from 3pm to midnight.

LGBTQIA+ allyship at the University

There is no one way to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. Below are some simple ways that you can demonstrate your support.

Using correct names and pronouns 

Using the correct name and pronouns for your peers and students is an easy and important way to make them feel welcome and respected.  

Consider modelling this behaviour by updating your pronouns in Sydney Student, Canvas, and in your email signature. Find information about changing your personal details.

Find out more about pronouns on Trans Hub. 

Creating a culture of respect

In a university setting, creating a culture of respect might look like providing LGBTQIA+ information and resources in communal areas, putting up LGBTQIA+ affirmative posters, or coordinating training for students and staff.

Stepping in to stop harassment 

If other people in the University are being discriminatory or disrespectful, sometimes allies can intervene to say that the behaviour is not OK. Read the University’s advice on how to be an active bystander.

Language and terminology

Asexual: a person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to other people. This is an umbrella term that includes identities such as demisexual and grey-ace. For more information, visit Australian Asexuals.

Bisexual/Bi+: people who are attracted to more than one gender. Bi+ can be used as an umbrella term that includes other identities, such as pansexual and demisexual. For more information, visit Sydney Bi+ Network. 

Brotherboy: a term used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to describe gender diverse people that have a male spirit and take on male roles within the community. Brotherboys have a strong sense of their cultural identity.

Cisgender/cis: someone whose gender aligns with what was presumed for them at birth.

Gay: people attracted to people of the same gender as themselves. This term has historically been used by men who are attracted to men.

Intersex: people with variations of sex characteristics. Intersex people have sex characteristics that do not fit medical norms for male and female bodies. For more information, visit InterAction for Health and Human Rights (IHRA).

Lesbian: women who are attracted to women. 

Non-binary: refers to people who are not exclusively male or female, including people who have no binary gender at all and people who have some relationship to binary gender. 

Pansexual: refers to a person who is sexually or emotionally attracted to someone regardless of their gender or sexuality.

Queer: an umbrella term used for anyone who doesn’t identify exclusively as heterosexual. Some people may use ‘queer’ or ‘genderqueer’ to describe their gender identity or expression.

Sistergirl: a term used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to describe gender diverse people that have a female spirit and take on female roles within the community, including looking after children and family. Many Sistergirls live a traditional lifestyle and have strong cultural backgrounds.

Trans and gender diverse: umbrella terms that refer to people whose gender is different to what was presumed for them at birth. This term includes binary and non-binary trans people, Sistergirls and Brotherboys. For more information, visit Trans Hub.

Written by SUPRA Postgraduate Advocacy Service September 2025