Feeling welcomed at University is essential. Not just for choosing where you want to study, but also in shaping what your experience will be like. This is particularly true for LGBT+ people, who face their own unique challenges. When pursuing higher education, people from this community often seek reassurance that their sexuality is not going to be an unfair obstacle in them fully enjoying University life.
As a Cardiff University graduate who has been both actively and largely involved with the LGBT+ Community, I was not too sure what to expect of Cardiff University when first arriving. Despite going in with little knowledge of the university’s relationship to the community, I was greatly impressed with the general openness of the city and university. There are a myriad of reasons of why this is, which can be found below.
University policies
Cardiff University makes clear effort to support staff and students of gender and sexual minorities, recognising that LGBT+ people do face specific challenges compared to their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts.
The university is a recognised Stonewall Diversity Champion, meaning they take active involvement in supporting the LGBT+ community. In 2024, the Uni earned Stonewall’s silver recognition award for their work, a celebration of their practice and policies.
Beyond formal recognition, the Students’ Union also plays a central role. Each year, one student is elected to serve as the LGBT+ Officer, leading Cardiff’s LGBT+ Network. This role involves organising events, and ensuring there’s visible and consistent support for the community. This student is often supported by the Pride Society, one of Cardiff University’s most prominent LGBT+ spaces.
University societies
Pride
Pride Society is one of two major societies dedicated solely to supporting LGBT+ students. However, many other societies offer welcoming and inclusive environments to students regardless of who they are.
Pride is a student-run group that supports and celebrates everyone in the LGBT+ community. Having been a member for two years, I had the honour of serving as one of its Co-Presidents for 2024/25, and I am continuing on as President into the next academic year. Being a part of this society was one of the best things I did at University, and added so much meaning to my university experience. I learned first-hand what community is, and have been humbled to have been a part of providing this inclusive and friendly environment for students across campus.
Pride has run a wide variety of events, including coffee socials, club nights, and balls. Pride was also recognised for its impact last year, being awarded the ‘Best Newcomer’ award at Cardiff University’s Society, Volunteering and Media Awards after being revived. This is a sign of how seriously the university values Pride Society’s contribution to supporting LGBT+ students.
Harry Jones, a former social secretary said: “Cardiff offers a vibrant and safe environment for the LGBTQ community. The socials held by the pride society at Cardiff university lets new and current students experience the wide variety of LGBTQ places across the city. From coffee shops and arts and crafts to bars and nightclubs, you are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to LGBTQ places in Cardiff”.
My favourite part of being President was the collaborations Pride did with other societies, especially those not LGBT+ focused, such as doing a night out with the Fencing Society. Other highlights include hosting a pub quiz with Cardiff Metropolitan’s Pride Society and an incredibly emotional vigil for transgender lives with TANGGS.
TANGGS
TANGGS is the second key LGBT+ society at Cardiff University, as it offers a place for gender-nonconforming, nonbinary, everyone who fits under the transgender umbrella and allies. TANGGS also had another incredible year including collaborations with a wide range of societies, from the Medieval Reenactment Society to Jiu Jitsu. TANNGS and Pride always work closely to bring awareness and representation to the LGBT+ community.
Outside of these two clubs, the majority of Cardiff University’s societies are welcoming to queer students. I know first-hand and from friends that societies like ice skating, book club, and student media are accepting environments.
Cardiff University student media
Cardiff University’s Student Media is also an inclusive environment which actively spotlights queer voices and puts LGBT+ stories front and centre amongst its four different media platforms. An example of this is when Annabelle Lee, last year’s editor-in-chief of Gair Rhydd, Cardiff University’s newspaper, reached out to me because of my role in Pride Society and requested a roundup of Pride’s achievements.
Additionally, I had the pleasure of sitting on committee for Cardiff University’s Television Station, allowing me to be one of many students highlighting queer stories. For example, we reported on a Transgender Liberation March in Cardiff, interviewing how people felt about the Supreme Court’s recent controversial ruling regarding the definition of “woman”. This video then went on to win the ‘Best Social Media Video’ at Cardiff University’s Student Media Awards, winning for its important social messaging, and being judged by other students. This victory is exemplary of how Cardiff students seek to support the LGBT+ community.
Imperfections
Of course, it would be naïve to suggest that anywhere was 100% free from prejudice. I personally have experienced homophobia on Cardiff University grounds. These incidents are not okay – but unfortunately, they are not unique to Cardiff, and do not reflect the broader support the University offers.
In general, both Cardiff University and the city are accepting and welcoming environments, and I feel safe enough walking down the street holding my boyfriend’s hand. Cardiff University makes. A genuine effort to support its LGBT+ students and has consistently demonstrated this. Whilst there is obviously always more work to be done, Cardiff University is a welcoming environment and I would recommend it for LGBT+ students.
One student, Grace D’Souza, said: “LGBT night life in Cardiff is great, especially Kings. My girlfriend and I absolutely love it and I’ve met plenty of people who also go to Cardiff University in there too. It’s a place that makes me feel comfortable as a bisexual woman. I think Cardiff is a very welcoming and inclusive city with a very large and diverse LGBT community. Happy Pride!”.