LGBTQIA+
Coming to college is a daunting and intimidating experience. It can be even more difficult and isolating as a queer person or for someone who has just recently started to question their sexuality or gender identity. Regardless how you feel about yourself and the people around you, coming ‘out’ and being ‘out’ can sometimes be a nerve wrecking time. In our eyes sexuality and gender are spectrum and no matter where you may land on the spectrum, SETUSU are here to keep you informed, safe, having fun and most importantly proud of who you are!
Being on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum does not mean you have to live your life any differently. While coming out may be a scary and emotional experience – it can also be exciting!We hope to provide you with enough support to feel comfortable everywhere you go & connect you with others who may be going through the same or similar struggles through SU supports and our LGBTQIA+ society.
It is your decision who you disclose your sexuality to and never feel pressured into ‘outing’ yourself before you’re ready.Hopefully college will be an eye-opening experience for you where you can discover what you truly identify as. Here’s a few basic terms which may help you along the way.
TERMINOLOGY 101
Coming out: The process of accepting and telling others about your gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. Many trans people will ‘come out’ as a different gender to the sex assigned at birth and may begin a social or physical transition.
Lesbian: a woman who has emotional/romantic/sexual attraction towards other women.
Gay: Someone who is mainly attracted to people of the same gender.
Bisexual: Someone who is attracted to two genders
Asexual: No sexual attraction, however they may or may not experience romantic attraction
Transgender: Refers to a person whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. It is important to never out someone as trans without their permission. Forced outing – whether intentional or unintentional – is a form of transphobia. Also address them with the gender they refer to themselves as and refer to them with their chosen name and gender pronoun.
Trans* people also include people who identify as gender-neutral, non-binary, genderqueer or gender-fluid people, who may identify as a range of combinations of male and female or as neither of the two.
Queer: once a derogatory term but recently reclaimed. It is an umbrella term that captures multiple aspects of gender expression and identities.
Intersex: Intersex people are born with sex characteristics such as chromosomes, genitals, and/or hormonal makeup that doesn’t belong strictly to male or female categories, or that belong to both at the same time.
Non-binary: An umbrella term for gender identities that fall outside the gender binary of male or female. NB people may feel their gender identity is not exclusively male or female and can vary between.
Support Services
The National LGBT Helpline
A confidential, listening, support and information service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
Tel: 1890 929 539
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI)
Tel: 01 873 35 75
Gay Switchboard Ireland
Provides a confidential telephone support service
Tel: 01 872 1055
Lesbian Line
A listening service run by lesbian and bisexual women. The volunteers are not qualified counsellors but can listen and can give you the information you might need on the many support services available.
Tel: 01 8729911
Man2Man
A comprehensive sexual health information website for men who have sex with men.
