There are many ways in which sexual orientation can be defined; one starting point is the Equality Act 2010, which protects LGBT+ staff and students. Sexual orientation is defined in the Act to include a person's sexual orientation towards people of the same sex, opposite sex or both. Specifically, section 11 of the Equality Act defines ‘sexual orientation’ as follows:
(1) Sexual orientation means a person's sexual orientation towards—
(a) persons of the same sex,
(b) persons of the opposite sex, or
(c) persons of either sex.
(2) In relation to the protected characteristic of sexual orientation—
(a) a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a reference to a person who is of a particular sexual orientation;
(b) a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference to persons who are of the same sexual orientation.
This legislative definition is a limited one. It does not, for example, acknowledge asexuality, and it assumes a binary notion of gender. The LSE support services listed below are open to all LGBT+ staff and students at LSE, not just those who fit the legislative definition.
LSE Harassment Policy [PDF].
Spectrum
Spectrum is the LSE network for LGBT+ staff at LSE. They represent staff from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other minority sexual orientation and gender identities. Spectrum holds open meetings on the second Thursday of each month. There is an agenda but it's also an informal space to get together and chat. All are welcome to attend.
Contact: spectrum@lse.ac.uk, Web: Spectrum, Twitter: @LSESpectrum
LSE SU LGBT+ Alliance
The LSE SU LGBT+ Alliance is the LGBT+ society of LSE’s Students Union. They provide welfare and advice for LGBT+ students, but also organise social events, talks and debates, civil rights campaigns and other LGBT+ related events on campus and around London.
Resources
The following alphabetical list of LSE resources, policies and procedures are all inclusive of LGBT+ staff :