Promoting Respect and Dignity
Discrimination on grounds of Sexual Orientation (i.e. whether an individual is or is perceived to be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual) or Trans is unlawful.
The University of Cambridge is committed to protecting the dignity of staff, students, visitors to the University and all members of the University community in their work and interactions with others.
The University upholds its obligations to protect staff members of the University community form all inappropriate bullying harassment or discrimination.
Examples of such behaviours can include homophobic bullying and harassment.
- Lesbian and Gay Rights in the World. There has been significant progress towards equality relating to sexual orientation in the UK in the past 40 years. Globally, 110 states/terror ties have some form of anti-discrimination law relating to sexual orientation. However, there are still over 80 states/territories that persecute Lesbians and Gays.
- Straight Allies: How they help create gay-friendly workplaces. Stonewall has produced a guide that consider how non-LGBT colleagues can positively contribute to the development of inclusive workplaces.
- Bullying: Preventing the bullying and harassment of gay employees. Stonewall has developed a guide on understanding and preventing homophobic bullying in the workplace.
Homophobic Bullying & Harassment
Homophobic bullying motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation can be considered to constitute hate incidents (Equality and Human Rights Commission 2009). This can take many forms including:
- Unwanted physical contact.
- Threatened or actual physical abuse or attack.
- Verbal abuse such as suggestive remarks, jokes or name calling.
- Display or distribution of offensive material or graffiti.
- Non-verbal abuse such as mimicry, offensive gestures or body language.
Such behaviour can seriously interfere with a person's personal health, work performance and security, creating a threatening living or workplace environment.
Although people are protected against discrimination on grounds of religion and belief, it is unlawful for people to discriminate against people on grounds of sexual orientation even if their religion teaches that homosexuality is unacceptable.