The University of Montpellier organizes the week against LGBT+ phobias

[Press release] - Published on November 12, 2024 in Espace presse, Environmental issues and social responsibility

From November 18 to 22, 2024, the University of Montpellier is organizing a week of struggle on the theme of "LGBT+phobias: deciphering prejudice". On the program: a conference on the roots of hatred towards LGBT+ people, followed by a rap session with artist Maras, the screening of a documentary film as well as the opening of an exhibition featuring the LGBT+ lexicon. Once again this year, the UM is reaffirming its strong, long-standing commitment to an active policy of combating all forms of discrimination.

The University of Montpellier's commitment to LGBT+ issues

The UM was the first French university to sign the commitment charter of the association l'Autre Cercle in 2016, a commitment renewed in 2022 by signing a new version that takes students into account:

• create an inclusive working and learning environment;
• ensuring 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 sexual orientation was still, in 2020, evoked 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 kicks off on November 18, from 12.15pm to 1.45pm, with a conference on deciphering LGBT+ prejudices, presented by Christelle Fraïssé, senior lecturer in social psychology. It will be held at the Maison des étudiants François Barré-Sinoussi in Triolet, in the presence of Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier. This lecture will be followed by an improvised rap synthesis, followed by a rap and beatbox concert. with Maras, rapper and slammer, world freestyle rap vice-champion (2016) and French slam champion (2014). This event is reserved for UM students and staff.

On November 19, at 1pm, the (S)pace on the Triolet campus will host the opening of the "Des images pour ainsi dire" exhibition, featuring twenty-six original creations by visual artist Nathalie Trovato and UM students and staff initiated into the art of paper-cutting. A veritable ode to otherness, this exhibition is a joyful and captivating alphabet book, with each letter illustrating the LGBT+ lexicon with shapes and colors. This event is reserved for UM students and staff.

On November 20 at 7pm, Michel Océan's documentary film "Océan" will be shown at the Maison des étudiants Aimé Schoenig on the Richter site. "Océan" is an intimate self-portrait of a trans man previously known as Océanerosemarie, comedian and lesbian icon since his first show "La lesbienne invisible". This event is open to the public upon registration by clicking here.

" Finally ready to face the social gaze, Océan decides to come out, to change his gender and to assert himself as he is: a trans man. Fearful of other people's gaze, of distancing himself from his loved ones, of seeing his status as an artist evolve, but also very impatient and happy to live this immense experience. How will Ocean get through all the physical, psychological and sentimental stages during this "woman to man" transition? "

UM reporting system

To combat all forms of discrimination and violence, the UM has set up an internal system based on contact persons and a hotline made up of a network of support staff. This system is aimed at the entire university community, whether victims or witnesses of acts of violence, discrimination, moral or sexual harassment or sexist behaviour.