Welfare
Are you questioning your sexuality or gender identity?
If you think you may be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, there is a lot of support and information available for you. Exploring this information does not commit you in any way to the LGBT label. A good starting point may be browsing LGBT Youth Scotland’s website or visiting an LGBT Soc meeting. Furthermore, if you are having problems coming to terms with the fact that you may be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, it is important to remember that there is support available to you, you are certainly not alone and that accepting that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans does not necessitate a complete life-change. Although a close friend is often the best person to confide in, it is understandable that you may wish to speak to someone from outside your usual social circle. See our suggested points of contact below, all of which are strictly confidential. We’d definitely encourage you to get in touch with LGBT Soc.
‘Coming Out’
Telling people that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans may seem daunting, but it is important to remember that there is a strong support network behind you. It might be helpful to talk through coming out with a trusted friend or LGBT member. Just remember, make sure you are ready. It is not something to be rushed.
The LGBT Soc runs a welfare talk in the first semester of each academic year about coming out. This event is always very well attended and informative. We also have strong links with Parents Enquiry Scotland who offer useful advice on how to tell your parents that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans. They offer a support call number for parents who may be having trouble assimilating the social aspects of having a lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans child. For more information on Parents Enquiry Scotland, see their website here or visit the LGBT coming out event.
Sexual Health Advice
If you think you may have an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) or you want to know more about how to protect yourself, there is an NHS Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic that operates out of the Students’ Union Building in term time. This Clinic is on the 2nd Floor of the Union and the reception area is in the Student Support Services Office on the 2nd Floor. The clinic runs every Wednesday from 12:30 pm – 5 pm. The clinic can provide not only contraception (free) and sexual health advice but offers chlamydia testing and treatment and offers basic STI screening. Cervical smears can be taken at this clinic for age 20 and over only.
There is a GUM Clinic at St Andrews Community Hospital (where you can have a full STI screen). This clinic runs 10am – 1pm on a Friday. This is an appointment only clinic – telephone 01592 643355 ext 2866 (Monday to Thursday) or 01334 465706 (Friday) to make an appointment.
Don’t miss LGBT’s sexual health talk in semester one! We would also particulalry like to recommend the sexual health advice offered by the Order of Perpetual Indulgence, Scotland’s order of drag nuns. Check it out here.
Acceptance & Victimisation
St Andrews is a very diverse, student-orientated town. People are generally open-minded and it is rare to receive abuse on account of being LGBT. This is not to say that it will never occur so please do not hesitate to report such incidents.
If you wish to contact the local police, the police station is situated on North Street opposite the library and you can phone them on 01334 418900. We understand that not everyone feels confident or, indeed, feels the need to report such incidents to the police. If in doubt, speak to someone at Student Support Services who can better advise you on the best course of action.
The Student’s Union is a common place for members of LGBT Soc to meet both as part of our official events and independently. It has strict anti-homophobia policies so if you do find yourself the target of homophobia, please speak to the doorstaff. They should take you seriously however if you feel they do not, speak to someone on the front desk or alternatively contact Colleen Roberts, Student Representative Council Member for Sexualities and Gender at The Students’ Union (ckr2@st-andrews.ac.uk).
Please remember that by reporting incidents you are helping to keep the university a place of zero tolerance with regards to discrimination and that you are hopefully reducing the chance of fellow LGBT persons encountering such problems.
Suggested Points of Contact:
Student Support Services:
SSS offers a confidential counseling service and can offer you advice on how best to deal with your questions. E-mail sss@st-andrews.ac.uk or pop along – first floor of the Union at the end of the corridor. Tel: 01334 46(2720).
NIGHTLINE:
A free, confidential listening & information service, run for students by students every night of term from 8pm til 7am. Tel: 01334 462266
LGBT Society:
All e-mails to the LGBT society are strictly confidential so, if you would like some informal advice, would like to find out more about the LGBT Society or would like to ask a question, feel free to drop us an e-mail (lgbtsoc@st-andrews.ac.uk). Alternatively, come to one of our Wednesday lunchtime drop-ins.