Do University students accept the LGBTI+ community?
Most students accept LGBTI+ people. Less accept trans people, though this is due to lack of information and understanding. Melissa McElhatton, Social Work (Hons) 4th year.
Yes. Our generation is much more open minded and accepting overall. There are exceptions, of course, but most people I interact with seem to have an accepting stance. Georgie Farrugia Sacco, BA in Music and Theatre Studies, 1st year.
One finds people who accept LGBTI+ individuals and others who reject them. Over the past five years the University has improved by treating more equally people who identify themselves as straight or LGBTI+, as well as by countering other forms of discrimination. Oriana Far, BA (Hons) Social Policy, 4th year.
Is there enough exposure and initiatives taken on campus to promote an environment of acceptance?
A lot of work is done, especially by We Are, but there is always more to be done. Lack of interest from students to participate could be a deterrent. Melissa McElhatton.
I am not aware of them myself, but due to my erratic timetable I am not often at campus. Georgie Farrugia Sacco.
I think We Are – the organisation representing LGBTI+ on campus – has been visible and doing a very good job to increase awareness since 2010. Other organisations like Studenti għall-Ħarsien Soċjali contribute to improve University students’ social wellbeing, such as by holding the debate ‘Breaking the Silence’. The Malta Medical Students Association also dedicated part of its Global Health Week activities to LGBT rights and legislation. Oriana Far.
What more should be done to safeguard the rights of LGBTI+ students on campus?
LGBTI+ people need to be more visible for other people to realise that we’re all the same. Secondly, more inclusive language should be introduced, such as referring to people the way they want to be referred, and not assuming everyone is heterosexual. Melissa McElhatton.
People discriminate against others mainly due to ignorance or misinformation so maybe educational posters with one-liners in prominent areas might help. Georgie Farrugia Sacco.
There should be more awareness on how to report discrimination and more lecturers and prominent figures should publicly support LGBT rights. Oriana Far.
(Compiled by Insite – the student media organisation)