Identity, diversity and inclusion
Diversity makes a significant contribution to the vibrancy of La Trobe’s communities and to the university’s intellectual life. Our different cultures, genders, sexualities and family histories means we all have individual ways of understanding ourselves and the world.
Student stories
"In first year, I remember looking around my tute and realizing there were lots of different ways of looking at things. I was learning because of the diversity, it was like I was joining the big world." Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Queer Living
Sexuality and gender
Sexuality and gender are central to being human. This page lets you access support and information and connects you with students and communities who are queer or who have questions about their own sexuality and gender.
Student stories
"When I first realized I had a same-sex crush on a classmate, my whole world was shaking..." Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
Support and Connection
Counselling Services Queer Programs provide individual counselling and support as well as opportunities to connect with the Queer community at and around your campus.
Student stories
"Speaking to a counsellor who was a member of the Queer Community meant a lot to me..." Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
La Trobe Counselling Services Queer Counsellors
- Bundoora - Devorah Wynn 9479 2956
- Bendigo - Jan Taylor 5444 7223
La Trobe Counselling Services on other campuses
- Albury/Wodonga - 6024 9627
- Shepparton – 5820 8600
Queer Chat
Queer Chat is a group on the Bundoora and Bendigo campus where you can safely explore your sexual identity.
Student stories
"I gradually came to regain my confidence and accept myself the way I am. Being gay is as normal as being straight..." Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
If you feel isolated because of your sexuality, if you want a safe place to talk with others about how you understand and define your sexuality or gender Queer Chat provides a confidential group facilitated by the Queer Counselor on your campus with the help of students from the Queer Community (the Queer Peers). If you want to find out more about Queer Chat contact the counselling service on your campus.
Queer Peers
Queer Peers – Students from Melbourne and Bendigo’s Queer community providing a link to the Queer community at and around these campuses.
Student stories
"Hi, we’re Anya and Stephen, and we’re the Queer Peers at the Melbourne Campus. We’re students who work with Devorah to run Queer Chat, organize Pride Week and plan social activities like monthly films in the Agora Cinema. We also have a facebook site where you can connect with others from our community and find out what’s going on..."
What LGBTQ means
LGBTQ is an inclusive category which describes those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual ,Transgender or Queer.
For most people, including those in the LGBTQ community, defining ourselves in terms of gender and understanding our sexual desires are crucial to our wellbeing. While some people might want these definitions to be simple, different people describe and define their own and other’s sexuality and gender in different ways. It is no surprise then that the LGBTQ community is made up of people with many different personal histories and needs.
Student stories
"When people ask me about myself I have this dilemma. I can say I’m a Science and Tech student – I know that’s the sort of thing they expect to hear – or how I like to play Halo or even that I come from Malaysia … but I spend a lot of time thinking about what words I can use to describe my sexuality and gender. At the moment I’d say I have a man’s body, that I think of myself as a woman and that I am mostly attracted to women. Being part of the LGBQT community means that I have a place that I belong where I can be a Malaysian Science and Tech student who likes to play Halo AND…" Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Preventing homophobia and heterosexism
While Australian society is founded on ideals to do with equality and diversity these experiences are often the basis for homophobic and heterosexist actions by individuals and organisations as well as feelings of isolation and confusion.
Student stories
"I remember when my friend told me he was gay. I thought fair enough, so what. Then I looked at his face and I realised he was always making judgements about whether the person he was telling would use his sexuality as the basis of bullying and harassment. I never had to worry whether I would be picked on for my heterosexuality. It made me really determined to make sure La Trobe was a place where sexuality can’t be used as the basis of this type of cruelty and injustice..." Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Resources
Get involved with Pride Week (LivingWell@latrobe.edu.au)
A celebration of the pride that La Trobe feels about the strength of their Queer community and a recognition of the needs to remove the barriers that still exist. 2013 dates TBA.
Get involved with IDAHO (LivingWell@latrobe.edu.au)
The International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia is the 17th of May. On this day in 1990 the World Health Organisation stopped classifying homosexuality as a mental disease. At La Trobe it is an opportunity for the straight and queer communities to stand together.
Get involved with La Trobe’s Midsumma stall (LivingWell@latrobe.edu.au)
La Trobe’s commitment to welcoming and supporting the Queer community means we have a stall each year at Melbourne’s Midsumma festival.
Supporting Cultural Diversity
Multiculturalism
Australia’s history of migration and the large number of International students on our campuses provide a rich cultural resource.
‘I think you become more well-rounded. It’s living it, it’s experiencing it… View video.
Support and information for international students
Go the International website for more information.
Services for Indigenous Australian Students
Connection to the land
Aboriginal people have an ongoing connection to the land upon which our campuses are located. Indigenous Australia forms an important part of our identity and purpose as a university.
Student stories
"Ngarn-gi Bagora was just a place where I felt comfortable being myself..." Read more stories.. or Tell us your story.
Community, connection and support
Services to increase access, participation, retention and success for Indigenous Australians within the higher education sector. Go to the Indigenous Education website.
