Queer Portfolio

“Always remember that you are not one dimensional. Do well in your studies. And hold your head up high! Be an example of inclusiveness for all minorities.”
— The Hon Michael Kirby AC, CMG

The Blackstone Society’s Queer Portfolio, headed by Queer Officer Finn Crockett, aims to provide support and guidance to queer-identifying (LGBTQIA+) students in the Law School. The Blackstone Society is committed to fostering a friendly and discrimination-free environment on campus, where students can feel comfortable with who they are and what they identify as.

The Blackstone Society understands that the experience of some queer students can be different to that of their heterosexual counterparts, and as a result we have a Queer Officer to act as a point of contact and to help navigate any issues that may arise. In an environment where small pressures can build if not properly dealt with, it is important to know that there are support networks in place for LGBTQIA+ students.

In addition, the Queer Portfolio engages the Law School in current questions of social and legal justice pertaining to the queer-identifying community. The Queer Portfolio will host a number of forums and other events throughout the year to raise awareness and increase understanding of these issues throughout the Law School.

Contact

If you are struggling in any way, or would like to accustom yourself with LGBTQIA+ services on offer from either the Blackstone Society or other networks and organisations, we encourage you to contact the Queer Officer, Finn Crockett, by email (queerofficer@blackstone.asn.au) or in person. Finn is keen to help where he can, or at least point you in the right direction! Any communications with Finn will of course remain confidential.

See further below for a full list of other LGBTQIA+ services and supporting organisations available in Western Australia.

Events

IDAHOBIT Celebration

Each year, the Blackstone Society sponsored by Minter Ellison, holds an event commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Through this event, we commemorate the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community in their long fight for justice and equality, while also highlighting areas that need to be addressed on the path to equality.

In 2022, we held the event on May 24. Students and law school staff members had the opportunity to share their thoughts on improvements to be made in the law school. We were also fortunate to have Finn Crockett and two members of Minter Ellison’s PRIME Network talk candidly about their experiences as members of the community.

Equity Event.jpeg

Resources

The Blackstone Equity team would like to thank Aidan Ricciardo of the UWA Law School for providing the below resources.

We hope these resources are helpful for all law students in understanding the experiences of their fellow LGBTQIA+ students and becoming better allies.

What does 'LGBTQIA+’ or ‘queer’ mean?

As set out in Ricciardo et al (2021):

‘LGBTQIA+ is a term which is used to refer collectively to those who do not identify as cisgender and/or heterosexual. It includes lesbian (L), gay (G), bisexual (B), transgender (T), queer/questioning (Q), intersex (I) people, asexual (A) people, and others who do not identify as cisgender and/or heterosexual (+). Many other terms are used to refer to this group of identities (or some of these identities). Each of these terms may be criticised for leaving some identities out. The placement of the letters within the acronym may be questioned. Some also question whether LGBTQI+ identities can meaningfully be grouped together, as there is great diversity in each identity within the LGBTQI+ community, and the intersections between those identities… The queer-spectrum and trans-spectrum communities, and the terminology used to describe those communities, continue to evolve.’

A glossary of some of the key terms relevant to LGBTQIA+ people and their experiences (adapted from Human Rights Campaign, ‘Glossary of Terms’: https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms) is set out below:

  • Agender: A person who does not identify as having any gender at all.

  • Ally: A person who is not LGBTQIA+ but is openly supportive of LGBTQIA+ people.

  • Asexual: A person who does not experience sexual attraction or desire for other people.

  • Bi-curious: A person who is curious about or open to attraction to people whose sex or gender identity is different from that which they have typically been attracted to.

  • Biphobia: Prejudice, discomfort, fear or hatred of bisexual people.

  • Binary gender/sex: Refers to the male and female classifications of gender/sex.

  • Bisexual: A person who is attracted to more than one sex or gender identity.

  • Cisgender: A person whose gender identity is the same as their sex assigned at birth.

  • Coming out: A process in which a person acknowledges their LGBTQIA+ identity and shares that with others. Coming out often refers to a specific time when the person first started sharing their LGBTQIA+ identity with others. However, it is important to acknowledge that many LGBTQIA+ people regard coming out as a life-long process, as there is a continuing need to share their identity with new people over the course of one’s life (something which is not typically experienced by non-LGBTQIA+ people).    

  • Gay: A person who is attracted to people of the same sex or gender identity. This term is often, but not exclusively, used to refer to men who are exclusively same-sex attracted.

  • Gender fluid: A person who does not identify with a single fixed gender identity or who expresses a fluid or unfixed gender identity.

  • Gender identity: A person’s concept of self as female, male, both or neither. A person’s gender identity refers to how they perceive themselves and what they call themselves. A person’s gender identity might be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.

  • Genderqueer: A person who does not identify with static categories of gender and instead experiences a fluidity of gender identity.

  • Heterosexual: A person who is attracted to people of the ‘opposite’ sex or gender identity. It should be noted that this definition is predicated upon an assumption that male and female classifications are ‘opposite’, and apparently lacks appreciation for non-binary identities.

  • Homophobia: Prejudice, discomfort, fear or hatred of same-sex-attracted people.

  • Intersex: A person who is born with one or more of a range of natural bodily variations which mean that their physical sex characteristics don’t fit medical norms for what has historically been regarded as a ‘male’ or ‘female’ body. Not all of these variations are detected from birth. Intersex people may have been assigned a binary sex at birth, which may or may not align with their gender identity. Many people with variations of sex characteristics prefer to use the name of their particular variation and may not identify with the umbrella term ‘intersex’.

  • Intersexism: Prejudice, discomfort, fear or hatred of intersex people and/or their variations.

  • Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other people of the female sex or gender identity.

  • Non-binary: A person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. Some non-binary people also identify as transgender. Non-binary people may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, etc.

  • Pansexual: A person who has potential for attraction to people of any sex or gender identity.

  • Queer: A term people often use to refer to diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. This term has historically been used as a slur towards LGBTQI+ people, but many feel that they have ‘reclaimed’ the term and identify with it in a positive way.

  • Questioning: A term used to describe people who are exploring, questioning, or wondering about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

  • Sex assigned at birth: The sex (usually male or female) given to a child at birth. This assignment is usually based on the child's external anatomy.

  • Sexual orientation: An emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to certain other people.

  • Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender people may identify as being either a man or a woman, both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. Being transgender is not a sexual orientation.

  • Transphobia: Prejudice, discomfort, fear or hatred of transgender people.

 

 

Well-being and the LGBTQIA+ law student experience

Law students are more likely than other university students to experience psychological distress (Skead & Rogers, 2015). Research focusing on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students at the University of Western Australia has found that mental health is a pressing concern for LGBTQIA+ students (Dau & Strauss, 2016). This aligns with earlier research which shows that LGBTQIA+ university students have significantly worse mental health outcomes than non-LGBTQIA+ students (Oswalt & Wyatt, 2011). Further, some identities within the LGBTQIA+ community experience greater levels of marginalisation at university than do other LGBTQIA+ identities (Klein & Dudley, 2014).

A recent study conducted by a team of researchers at Western Australian universities found lower levels of emotional well-being in LGBTQIA+ law students as compared to their non-LGBTQIA+ peers. However, LGBTQIA+ law students who felt higher levels of belongingness to their law school generally reported higher levels of well-being than those who felt that they did not belong (Ricciardo et al, 2021). This corroborates earlier research about the importance of belongingness for law student well-being (Skead & Rogers, 2015). It is therefore important for law student societies and law schools to accept, support and promote LGBTQIA+ students and foster environments which are accepting of all LGBTQIA+ identities (Ricciardo et al, 2021). 

More broadly, Ricciardo et al (2021) found that much of the law school experience is similar for both LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+ law students, and that LGBTQIA+ law students generally perceive their law school to be an accepting and equitable environment. Indeed, one participant in the study said that ‘the culture [at UWA Law School] was ahead of its time, in that it was potentially more supportive to LGBTQI+ students than other aspects of the community were.’

However, that study also found that compared to their non-LGBTQI+ peers, LGBTQI+ law students self-censor aspects of their identity more often and feel more stress when interacting with academic staff (Ricciardo et al, 2021).

Blackstone and the UWA Law School recognise the issues that LGBTIQA+ students face and endeavour to increase student and faculty awareness of these issues through the Queer Portfolio and its events. Blackstone and the UWA Law School are committed to making the Law School environment one which is supportive and welcoming of all LGBTQIA+ people.

Sources:

Dau, Duc, and Penelope Strauss, The Experience of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans Students at The University of Western Australia (The University of Western Australia 2016)

Klein, Nicole, and Michael Dudley, ‘Impediments to Academic Performance of Bisexual College Students’ (2014) 62 Journal of American College Health 399

Oswalt, Sara B, and Tammy J Wyatt, ‘Sexual Orientation and Differences in Mental Health, Stress and Academic Performance in a National Sample of US College Students’ (2011) 58 Journal of Homosexuality 1255

Ricciardo, Aidan, et al, ‘Understanding, Promoting and Supporting LGBTQI+ Diversity in Legal Education’ (2021) The Law Teacher (https://doi.org/10.1080/03069400.2021.1949183)

Skead, Natalie K, and Shane L Rogers, ‘Do Law Students Stand Apart from other University Students in their Quest for Mental Health: A Comparative Study on Wellbeing and Associated Behaviours in Law and Psychology Students’ (2015) 42–43 International Journal of Law and Psychiatry 81

LGBTQIA+ organisations and services

Living Proud

Living Proud has supported LGBTQIA+ people and communities in Western Australia for over 40 years. Living Proud provides essential services, such as peer-support. The organisation is the WA partner of QLife, a national telephone and web chat peer-support service. Living Proud also offers training options for professionals including the Opening Closets Mental Health training and other half and full-day workplace training in order to improve accessibility for LGBTQIA+ people.

For more information and Living Proud Resources, visit http://www.livingproud.org.au/.

General and administrative enquires
E: admin@livingproud.org.au

QLife

QLife is a free and anonymous national LGBTQIA+ peer-support and referral service for people wanting to talk about issues including gender, sexuality, identity, bodies, feelings and relationships. Their telephone and web chat services are delivered by trained LGBTQIA+ community members across the country. The service is available to LGBTQIA+ individuals, their friends and families, and health professionals.

Free Call 1800 184 527: The QLife line operates daily from 3pm to midnight, 365 days a year.

For online chat and support go to https://qlife.org.au.

BeyondBlue

BeyondBlue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. BeyondBlue focuses heavily on mental health issues facing LGBTQIA+ people in particular. No matter what the issue you face, if you simply want someone to talk to and especially if your need is urgent, call BeyondBlue’s 24/7 phone line service on 1300 22 4636, or head to https://www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat to chat online.

 

UWA Pride Department

The UWA Pride Department aims to promote the visibility of LGBTQIA+ students at UWA through social activities, activism and notices.

To contact the UWA Pride Officers Parastoo Javid or Kaelin Abrahams, email pride@guild.uwa.edu.au. Also connect with the UWA Pride Department through their Facebook group.

To learn more about their upcoming events and initiatives, head to their Facebook page.

 

UWA Equity & Diversity

UWA Equity & Diversity provides strategic advice to management and the University Executive on opportunities to address barriers to equity and inclusion in the workplace and campus community. Equity & Diversity advocates and works for a University community that is aware and informed, tolerant of diversity, and intellectually and emotionally comfortable with difference, and support staff and students in the development of sexual, gender and cultural competence.

To find out more, head to their web page.

ALLY at UWA

Since its inception in 2002, the ALLY program has recruited many staff and student Allies across campus, making a significant contribution to an inclusive culture at UWA. The ALLY Program was implemented to promote awareness and visibility around sexual and gender diversity, making the UWA community safer and more affirming for LGBTQIA+ staff and students. The program acts as a conduit for cultural change, facilitating UWA's commitment to leadership in this area.

For more information about ALLY, to sign up as an ALLY, or register for ALLY training, visit https://www.web.uwa.edu.au/inclusion-diversity/sexualities/ally.

  

Out for Australia

Out for Australia is an organisation that seeks to support and mentor young professionals as they navigate their way through the early stages of their career. Out for Australia aims to bring the community together, to offer a supportive and nurturing environment for which people can network, build relationships and assist each other in their professional journeys. Its mission is to provide visible role models, mentors, and other support to aspiring LGBTQIA+ professionals and to strengthen the sense of community among professionals and students. Out for Australia runs a program where LGBTQIA+ students can sign up for a LGBTQIA+ professional mentor:

Visit https://www.outforaustralia.org/mentoring-program for more information.