Definition of terms used in this submission
Transgender – someone who is a different gender from the one they were assigned at birth. Cisgender – someone who is the same gender as the one they were assigned at birth
Non-binary – someone who is not a man or a woman. Some non-binary people consider themselves transgender, some do not.
Gender-nonconforming – someone whose gender expression, body, behaviour or other characteristics do not conform to the societal norm of the gender they were assigned at birth. Some gender-nonconforming people consider themselves transgender, some do not.
What would change in the Articles?
Article 26 currently details the composition of the elected Student Leadership Team. We are asking for the following addition to be made: a Transgender Representative with a defined remit as agreed in the ByeLaws to support transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming students.
Why is this being proposed?
A 2024 report Exploring Trans and non-binary student experiences in UK higher education (Freeman and Stephenson, 2024) found -
“There are issues in terms of completion rates, awarding gaps and graduate outcomes for trans and non-binary students.”
Trans and non-binary students are more likely than the average student to be care-experienced, have a disability, have a mental health condition, and be estranged from family.
Half (50%) of transgender students and 49% of non-binary students have considered withdrawing from university, most commonly because of mental health issues, compared with 28% of the whole student population.
In the 2020/21 academic year, more trans or non-binary students failed to progress to the next year of their degree (16%) compared to [cisgender] students (10%).
The recommended ‘that institutions have a named contact or contacts for issues related to gender identity.’
The Transgender Student Representative would ensure that transgender student voices are represented within the Student Leadership Team. With the current cultural, institutional, and political anti-trans environment, this proposal is backed by the Trans Inclusion Action Plan Steering Group and OU Pride, as one step towards wider trans inclusion at OpenSU and the OU.
Freeman, J. and Stephenson, R. (2024) Trans and non-binary student experiences in higher education. Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), 23 May. Available at: https://www.hepi.ac.uk/2024/05/23/trans-and-non-binary-student-experiences-in-higher-education/ (Accessed: 23 August 2026).
Why a representative just for transgender students?
To address the issues and barriers experienced by transgender students, OpenSU has created a Trans Action Plan and formed a Trans Inclusion Action Plan Steering Group. The addition of a Transgender Student Representative would strengthen this work by ensuring that the experiences and needs of transgender students are represented within OpenSU at the highest levels.
Trans students have unique challenges and needs. There is a risk that issues may be overlooked without the contributions of a transgender rep. EG cisgender students rarely need to navigate name changes and misgendering.
In roles that require election, transgender people are subject to conscious and unconscious bias. At present, anyone regardless of identity can vote for the LGBTQIA+ student representative. Without a transgender student representative, there will likely be no trans voices in the SLT if students do not feel they want to vote for a transgender person.
We already have an LGBTQIA+ Student Representative, how will these two roles co-exist?
Transgender students should continue to be represented as part of the wider LGBTQIA+ student community through the LGBTQIA+ Student Representative, while also having the option to engage with the Trans Representative. This role would not replicate the responsibilities of the LGBTQIA+ Student Representative. Instead, it would complement that role by providing dedicated representation, visibility, lived experience and advocacy for transgender students, while contributing to the wider work of OpenSU and the Trans Inclusion Action Plan Steering Group.
The LGBTQIA+ rep could potentially be transgender and/or incredibly competent and knowledgeable about transgender issues, current events and needs. However, LGBTQIA+ is a huge remit, with constantly changing demands due to the political climate and reactions to it. This is too much for one person to focus on.
The LGBTQIA+ rep position should still be filled by anyone who is part of that community. Transgender people often face issues affecting the rest of the queer community, but not necessarily the other way around. Many transgender people are also LGBQIA+/queer.
If a transgender student wanted assistance from an SU representative, it would be up to the individual student to contact who they felt was most suitable to support them.
We don’t have representation for other sub-groups of communities, why should we have one for transgender people?
Transgender people are currently facing a turbulent political climate. A transgender student representative would help support students affected by this.
There is a valid argument for representing other sub-groups of EDI representation that could be raised by the relevant groups.
What would a Transgender Student Representative do that the LGBTQIA+ Student Representative does not?
A Transgender Student Representative's role could potentially include the following.
Support the creation and maintenance of a transgender community within Open SU.
Create events and opportunities for transgender students, co-working with the LGBTQIA+ Student Representative when appropriate.
Work alongside the VP EDI, EDI Reps and the Trans Inclusion Steering group to ensure transgender students are included, represented and celebrated in EDI Open SU activities.
Work with faculty reps to help inform inclusive and accurate module content around transgender people.
Represent the voice of Trans students in Open SU’s decision-making.
Maintain resources for transgender students so they remain relevant and up to date
Provide transgender students with a point of contact about any issues they are facing at the OU or SU due to being transgender.