Linnéstudenterna becomes the first student union to be LGBTQ certified

“As a student union, we represent all students and I think it’s extremely important that all students can come to us and be received in a good and inclusive way. The fact that we have now become the first LGBTQ certified student union in Sweden is, of course, something positive, and we now hope that other student unions will follow in our footsteps within the near future”, says chairman Linn Andersson.

In order to receive the certification, all members on the board’s presidium and employed officials have taken part in two training sessions on how they can apply an inclusive and non-heteronormative approach in their work. The student union has reviewed all its activities and documents in order to make their operations even more inclusive.

“One concrete first step has been to not include exhibitors at our fairs who express themselves negatively about LGBTQ rights. We also work to put focus on LGBTQ questions through our social media and at our member café. During Pride Week, we will invite lecturers and take part in the parade on Saturday. We have also put up Pride flags in our reception where our visitors come to see us”, Andersson continues.

During the course of the training, Linnéstudenterna has also reviewed their language use in communications and marketing to make sure that it’s inclusive for all students, something that has been done in both Swedish and English.

LGBTQ is an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Source: RFSL The Swedish Foundation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights