At Oxford there is a lot of support for students who identify as LGBTQ+ and working class, from a low income background, state educated and / or first generation. LGBTQ+ soc has a dedicated Class Rep (ouclassrep@gmail.com) who puts on events throughout the term for people who identify with any of the class criteria, where people can meet people from similar backgrounds to themselves and discuss their experiences (or just eat snacks and have a fun time!
When you first start at Oxford as a fresher there is an opportunity to get involved with the class rainbow adoption scheme which Soc runs. It is perfectly normal that you may feel a sense of imposter syndrome or otherwise slightly daunted about the prospect of starting at Oxford, but having more experienced students help settle you into the community can be a welcome reassurance that the university, particularly the LGBTQ+ side, is accepting regardless of people’s backgrounds.
There is also a secret Facebook group for Class / LGBTQ+ students of Oxford. Message the Class Rep or email ouclassrep@gmail.com if you would like to be added - its a great way to keep up to date with opportunities, events and general related discussion.
The student union also has an intersectional rep for their Class Act and LGBTQ+ Campaigns to bridge the two groups. They can act as a point for further advice or suggestions of issues they can lobby the university on.
Individual JCRs / MCRs will likely have Class / Socio-economic / Access Reps and LGBTQ+ / Gender and Sexuality Reps who will be more than happy to provide support as a friendly face. Welfare teams in college are a great place to go to to discuss any concerns or difficulties you may be facing. Many student societies may also have a designated committee role for one (or both) of the identity groups.
When you first start at Oxford as a fresher there is an opportunity to get involved with the class rainbow adoption scheme which Soc runs. It is perfectly normal that you may feel a sense of imposter syndrome or otherwise slightly daunted about the prospect of starting at Oxford, but having more experienced students help settle you into the community can be a welcome reassurance that the university, particularly the LGBTQ+ side, is accepting regardless of people’s backgrounds.
There is also a secret Facebook group for Class / LGBTQ+ students of Oxford. Message the Class Rep or email ouclassrep@gmail.com if you would like to be added - its a great way to keep up to date with opportunities, events and general related discussion.
The student union also has an intersectional rep for their Class Act and LGBTQ+ Campaigns to bridge the two groups. They can act as a point for further advice or suggestions of issues they can lobby the university on.
Individual JCRs / MCRs will likely have Class / Socio-economic / Access Reps and LGBTQ+ / Gender and Sexuality Reps who will be more than happy to provide support as a friendly face. Welfare teams in college are a great place to go to to discuss any concerns or difficulties you may be facing. Many student societies may also have a designated committee role for one (or both) of the identity groups.
Useful Links
- Oxford University Student Union’s Class Act campaign - https://www.facebook.com/oxfordsuclassact
- First Gen society - https://www.facebook.com/oxfordfirstgen
- 93% Club Oxford - for state educated students at Oxford https://www.facebook.com/The-93-Club-Oxford-103779761435647
- Northerners Society does lots of outreach work for students from areas with low entry rates to Oxford - https://www.facebook.com/OxfordUniversityNorthernersSociety
- The Clydeside Project supports state-educated students from Scotland apply to Oxbridge - https://www.facebook.com/clydesideproject
