TeamUCL delivers all sport and activity at UCL. We want to ensure that access to clubs, the gym, Project Active and everything else we run is as equitable as possible.

To support that mission, this page was created by the LGBT+ Officer, Trans Officer and TeamUCL staff. We recognise that LGBTQ+ students often have fewer experiences of sport and physical activity growing up, and those experiences are often more negative. This means that the positive benefits of sport, such as making friends, getting fitter, and having fun, are rarely felt by students in that community.

The TeamUCL Gender Inclusion Hub is our first step towards ensuring sport at UCL is a place that all students feel welcome.

Gender Neutral Facilities

Gender neutral toilets can be found through this map. There are currently no gender-neutral changing facilities at Bloomsbury Fitness. The nearest gender-neutral showers and toilets are in the Student Centre, with showers on floor B2. For other gender-neutral showers, please consult the UCL Facilities list.

Sports Clubs

Can I compete in my sport as my gender?

The answer is complicated. Most UCL clubs compete with other universities through BUCS. The BUCS policy for transgender/non-cis athletes is to refer to the national governing body for that sport. There are more stringent guidelines for AMAB athletes competing in female categories than there are for AFAB athletes competing in male categories. Some national bodies completely prohibit trans women from competing, so you may not be able to compete. However, please contact teamucl@ucl.ac.uk for advice to help you participate in sport in a way which is comfortable for you.

Mixed Gender Clubs

The following is a list of team sports clubs which have mixed gender teams.

  • Badminton (in Constitution)
  • RUMS Badminton
  • Cheerleading (Accept both genders, but would need to message for specific policy)
  • Women and Men’s Hockey (have mixed training with each other)
  • RUMS Women and Men’s Hockey (have mixed training with each other)
  • Ice Club (Has three teams not listed as divided by gender. Would need to contact)
  • Women’s Lacrosse (Mixed team is joinable through women’s lacrosse)
  • Swimming (Has fitness training, no mixed team)
  • Table Tennis (hosts LGBTQ+ friendly project active sessions)
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Volleyball Club
  • Water Polo

Gender Expression Fund

The GEF exists to help trans students live more comfortably in their gender, especially with the additional costs being trans brings. For this reason, you can apply for a grant of up to £100 to help with costs such as:

  • Packers
  • Binders
  • Corsets
  • Gender-affirming clothing
  • Makeup
  • Razors & shaving supplies
  • Hair cuts
  • Travel to doctors appointments

Please note that this fund cannot be used to fund medical treatments. You can apply multiple times.

Find out more details here - https://studentsunionucl.org/advice-and-support/support/financial-support/gender-expression-fund

Campaigns and Observations

Campaigns

All Jokes Aside offers free sport and physical activity, and promotes resources and events, to support male-identifying students at UCL to meaningfully engage in activities to support their mental health and wellbeing. We recognise that gender is experienced and expressed in a variety of ways, and that 'male-identifying' may not represent the identities of every student that All Jokes Aside is for. Trans and non-binary students who identify with maleness are encouraged to take part in this campaign.

Observations

There are three major observations for gender diverse students during the academic year.

  • Trans Day of Remembrance is November 20th each year. This day is to remember those who lost their lives as a result of anti-transgender sentiment, hate and violence.
  • LGBTQ+ History Month is February each year. During this month, we celebrate those who went before us while looking to what the future might hold.
  • Trans Day of Visibility is March 31st every year. On this day, we celebrate trans identities across the world and draw attention to issues trans people face.

On these observations, we ask that clubs and societies participate to whatever extent they can, whether it’s by sharing their own stories or promoting those told by others. We hope that these days can be fully celebrated by everyone on campus!

Support

Having problems in a club or society? There is a wide-variety of support available to you. 

  1. Speak with a Welfare Officer. All clubs and societies have a Welfare Officer with whom you can speak. They will be able to help you directly inside your club or society.
  2. Reach out to the Student Support and Wellbeing. They can help you speak with a therapist and receive specialist mentoring from Gendered Intelligence if your issue specifically relates to your gender identity. This can be done through AskUCL or calling them on the phone.
  3. Use Report and Support. UCL has a robust system to work with students in cases of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. This includes transphobic and sexist behaviour. You can choose to remain anonymous or name yourself, and whether you would like any action to be taken.
  4. Not sure what you should do? Contact the Student Advice Service. They will speak to you about your situation and discuss possible avenues of action.
  5. File a complaint. If your problem hasn’t been solved and pertains to the committee of a club or society or an SU officer, you can file an official complaint through the SU.

Representation

Within the Students’ Union (SU), you have three supporters and two Networks you can join to help you throughout your time at UCL:

  • LGBTQ+ Officer: They represent all LGBTQ+ student interests to the SU, including those of minority sexualities and genders.
  • Trans Officer: They represent gender-specific student interests to the SU, particularly those relevant to trans* students.
  • Womens’ Officer: They represent all women’s and femmes’ interests to the SU. They can help with women-related issues.

They attend all the policy zones, so if you’ve noticed a larger problem across campus, send them an email or arrange a chat. They’ll be more than happy to talk with you and work on a large-scale solution.

Last updated 2 months ago Read time 4 mins