If you’re looking for student spaces that are LGBTQ+ friendly, the great news is, although everywhere has its ups and downs, on the whole Sheffield is a very inclusive city.
Here’s our quick rundown of some of what Sheffield has to offer LGBTQ+ students:
Unions and Societies
Both Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University are proud to be open and inclusive, whilst both acknowledge the obstacles that LGBTQ+ students can face. There’s a wealth of information and advice on their respective websites, as well as links to specific committees representing all students of minority gender identities/sexual orientations. The committee are a great place to meet new people, but if you’d prefer not to attend their meetings you can still find some great information on their websites:
Sheffield University Students Union LGBT+ Support
Sheffield University LGBT+ Representative Committee
Sheffield Hallam Students Union LGBT+ Students Committee
Sheffield Hallam Students Union LGBTQ+ Society
The LGBTQ+ Scene in Sheffield
Sheffield now has an established ‘gay quarter’ with a number of venues aimed at being safe and LGBTQ+ welcoming spaces, but more work needs to be done to open up yet more spaces. Below are links to a few of Sheffield’s specific LGBTQ+ venues:
Pride events are a great way to meet a huge range of LGBTQ+ students from across Sheffield and find out more about the scene. Students gather in Sheffield City Centre, before marching up Ecclesall Road to Endcliffe Park. This huge celbration of Sheffield's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community has been on hiatus since the pandemic, but it is hoped it will return in 2023.
Sports
If you know your way around a pair of skates and are looking for something fast and furious then Sheffield Steel Roller Derby (SSRD) hosts an adults' league which caters solely to female and non-binary skaters, and they are explicitly trans-friendly. If you’d prefer a more gender-expansive team then The Inhuman League based in North Sheffield is open to all adults.
If you’re more interested in watching sport, Rainbow Blades is an inclusive Sheffield United supporters' group. They meet at Sheffield LGBTQ+ bar/café Spirits of Sheffield every home match day to eat, drink, and talk about all things football.
You’ll find a more comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ friendly sports clubs at Pride Sports, a group that works to challenge LGBTQ+ phobia in sports.
Other Leisure Activities
Out Aloud are Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ choir with over 80 members, with no auditions required to join. If you have an interest in film then E.D.E.N Film productions is a company that offers online and in-person filmmaking workshops for the LGBTQ+ community.
For more information on activities and events in Sheffield, Pride in Sheffield is a great starting point.
A highlight video for SAYiT's Call it Out South Yorkshire LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Conference produced by EDEN Film
Mental Health
Unfortunately, no community in the UK is a completely safe space, and some LGBTQ+ students in Sheffield feel that not enough is done around safety and support. It’s important to remember that if you feel this way, or are struggling, you are not alone. More support can be found at:
Mind mental health charity (Sheffield branch)
SayIt (Offering emotional well-being support for LGBTQ+ young people in Sheffield)
More Information for LGBTQ+ Students...
It’s of course impossible to cover everything about Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ student life in what is no more than a quick guide. Understandably there will be many aspects we haven’t touched on.
Please use the following links for further information on life in Sheffield as a LGBTQ+ student:
- Sheffield University Residence Life: https://www.residencelife.co.uk/lgtbq-spaces-in-sheffield_167688
- Guide for new LGBT+ Students in Sheffield: https://nowthenmagazine.com/articles/here-and-queer-a-comprehensive-guide-for-new-lgbt-students-in-sheffield
- LGBT+ Sheffield organisation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LGBTsheffield?lang=en
- LGBT Foundation https://lgbt.foundation/
