The University of Montpellier organizes the week against LGBT+ phobias
From November 14 to 18, 2022, the University of Montpellier is organizing a week-long campaign to combat LGBT+ phobias, with a round table and documentary film on the theme of LGBT+ inclusion in all aspects of university life. This strong, long-standing commitment is part of the UM's active policy to combat all forms of discrimination.
L'Autre Cercle's LGBT+ Commitment Charter for higher education officially launched on October 13, 2022 at the University of Montpellier
In 2016, the University of Montpellier was the first higher education establishment to sign the charter of the national association l'Autre Cercle, marking its commitment to the inclusion of LGBT+ staff within its ranks. On October 13, the UM renewed this commitment, signing a new version of the charter that now includes students.
Through this charter, the University of Montpellier is committed to :
- creating an inclusive working and learning environment;
- ensure equal rights and treatment regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity;
- support victims of discriminatory comments or acts ;
- measure progress and share best practices to develop the professional and study environment in higher education.
Even today, living serenely with one's sexual orientation or gender identity can not be taken for granted, as confirmed by several recent surveys. For higher education staff, the initial results of the ACADISCRI study conducted in two French universities in 2018 indicate that being a man who does not conform to norms of virility, or being LGBT, are among the most frequent perceived reasons for microaggressions. Furthermore, the Observatoire de la vie étudiante reports that, in 2020, sexual orientation was still cited as a stigmatizing factor.
This week of action against LGBT+ phobias promises to be a highlight of the academic year, during which a range of actions will be supported to foster a caring and inclusive work and study environment that allows everyone to feel free to be themselves.
The "Week against LBT+ phobias" agenda
The week will kick off on November 14, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, with a round-table discussion entitled: "How can non-LGBT+ people get involved in the fight against LGBT+ phobias?". It will be held at the Maison des étudiants Françoise Barré-Sinoussi (Triolet) in the presence of Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier. Flora Bolter, co-director of the Jean Jaurès Foundation's LGBTI+ Observatory, political scientist and LGBTI activist, and Julie Boiché, Vice-President of Social Responsibility at the University of Montpellier, will be the speakers at this round table. The discussion will be based on the video of a micro-trottoir conducted at the end of September among students on four campuses of the University of Montpellier.
The week continues on November 16 at 7pm with the screening of the documentary film "La première marche" by Hakim Atoui & Baptiste Etchegaray at the Maison des étudiants Aimé Schoenig on the Richter site. This documentary will also be shown in Carcassonne, in the Salle des Actes of the Faculty of Education at 12:45pm.
"On June 9, 2019, four students lead the first suburban Pride March in Saint-Denis. 50 years after Stonewall, they are forcing the LGBT struggle where no one had ever imagined it. A hectic immersion among the proud suburban pride organizers. The issues of intersectionality and inclusivity of struggles are clearly laid out. The young activists are brimming with infectious energy in a documentary full of humor and commitment, which inspires a desire for unity in the face of oppression."
Practical information:
Date : November 14-18, 2022
Venue : University of Montpellier
See the program for LGBT+ Phobia Week