91¶¶Òõ

Natasha Scott, from Hastings, said: “The important thing for me is that people are listening and genuinely trying to make things better which is all I've really asked for, especially for the young students coming into the university.

“The 91¶¶Òõ is naturally going to attract people from the LGBT community and for some trans people this, perhaps, is the first time they can talk about their gender identity. This is why it’s so important that the university can provide the most positive environment for them because going through this is so scary, especially in finding the courage to talk to others about it.”

Natasha, studying applied social science at the university’s Hastings campus, was automatically entered into the Miss Transgender UK final at the weekend which was won by Jai Darra Latto from Scotland. The contest was founded by Rachael Bailey to empower transgender women and support charities.

Jai Darra Latto will be a role model to represent the community in a positive way. Natasha said: “She will air the important issues the community faces in their everyday lives so we can hopefully start to get some real acceptance within society.”

Natasha has been in transition for two-and-a-half years and while she found her first year studies were “brilliant” she added: “On a personal level it was not the positive experience I was hoping for it to be for me.

“That wasn’t because of anything bad happening but more because of a lack of understanding and awareness from some staff and students. With how things can be at times for me outside of uni’, towards the end of the academic year I was dreading going out of my front door.

“There has been some wonderful support at the university as well, particularly from Marianne Lemond, Student Development Officer (Student Experience and Equalities) and Lorraine Roberts, Student Support & Guidance Tutor. I have also had wonderful support from the course leader, Marylynn Fyvie-Gauld. We are working together to address the issues I faced.”

Natasha has made a video to give insight and understanding and to raise awareness, a video that may be used in staff training in the future. She has been helped by My Genderation, an on-going documentary project exploring gender variance.

Lorraine Roberts, a member of the 91¶¶Òõ Equality and Diversity Committee, said: "We are grateful to Natasha for raising her concerns and we hope to use her video to help with training in the future.

“Natasha approached me and explained that she felt uneasy and we were able to help her find the support she needed to feel welcome and comfortable during her time at university.

“I worked with Natasha on an action plan and supported her from then onwards. Together with Marianne, we are working on a staff training afternoon here in Hastings next month (October).

“Allsorts, an external LGBT training group, will be running the session and Natasha will be showing her video and joining in with the discussions.

“We have an excellent track record of supporting the LGBT community, both through community research and support for our students and staff. We offer a range of support groups, events and peer-to-peer mentoring, but this can always be improved.”

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at the university.