{"id":1738,"date":"2024-06-06T15:50:11","date_gmt":"2024-06-06T14:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/?p=1738"},"modified":"2024-06-06T15:50:11","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T14:50:11","slug":"heather-lennox-learning-about-asexuality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/2024\/06\/06\/heather-lennox-learning-about-asexuality\/","title":{"rendered":"Heather Lennox: Learning about Asexuality"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_module=&#8221;322&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=&#8221;322&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; menu_id=&#8221;7&#8243; submenu_direction=&#8221;downwards&#8221; fullwidth_menu=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; module_class=&#8221;main-navigation&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;2&#8243;][et_pb_row_inner locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;2_3&#8243;][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; featured_placement=&#8221;above&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; date_format=&#8221;j M Y&#8221; \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>As part of my L5 CIPD HR apprenticeship, I was tasked with developing and implementing a people strategy with a focus on celebrating equality and diversity.<\/p>\n<p>With little scope to do so within my own role, I reached out to the EDI directorate to see if there were any upcoming projects I could get involved with. The response and support I received was brilliant and reflects how collaborative UoM colleagues are.<\/p>\n<p>I chose to get involved with Asexual Awareness Day (AAD). As asexuality and AAD are not something I\u2019m familiar with, I began researching the topic. After gaining a decent understanding of asexuality and the support and resources available for those who identify as asexual, I searched Staffnet and the EDI pages for information on the support UoM offers staff and students.<\/p>\n<p>While EDI has some excellent resources and support networks for LGBTQ+ staff and students, I noticed that there was no support group or resource page specifically for asexuality. I received a positive response from EDI when I raised this \u2013 look out for resources in the future!<\/p>\n<p>To gauge an understanding of asexuality awareness within UoM, EDI distributed a survey I put together to the LGBTQ+ network. The survey (anonymously) asked respondents to confirm if they identified as asexual, if they thought the University did enough to support those who identify as asexual, and if they would be interested in forming a focus group which would hopefully lead to the creation of an asexual network group. To date, the response has been impressive, and the creation of a new support group looks promising.<\/p>\n<p>If we can create a safe space for students and staff who identify as asexual or who would like guidance around asexuality and support them to take part in Pride with t-shirts, banners, flags, stickers etc., I\u2019d feel that we\u2019d taken a positive step in supporting UoM\u2019s inclusive and diverse culture.<\/p>\n<p>Heather Lennox\u00a0 &#8211; Employee Relations Coordinator, Directorate of People and Organisational Development<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; in_same_term=&#8221;off&#8221; show_prev=&#8221;on&#8221; show_next=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_text=&#8221;Previous&#8221; next_text=&#8221;Next&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; show_avatar=&#8221;on&#8221; show_reply=&#8221;on&#8221; show_count=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;51&#8243; header_line_height_tablet=&#8221;2&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_icon_placement=&#8221;right&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; button_use_icon=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; \/][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Related posts&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Related<\/h1>\n<!-- relpost-thumb-wrapper --><div class=\"relpost-thumb-wrapper\"><!-- filter-class --><div class=\"relpost-thumb-container\"><h3>Related posts:<\/h3><div style=\"clear: both\"><\/div><div style=\"clear: both\"><\/div><!-- relpost-block-container --><div class=\"relpost-block-container relpost-block-column-layout\" style=\"--relposth-columns: 3;--relposth-columns_t: 2; --relposth-columns_m: 2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/2026\/03\/30\/stephen-doyle-trans-day-of-visibility-the-importance-of-allyship-and-advocacy\/\"class=\"relpost-block-single\" ><div class=\"relpost-custom-block-single\"><div class=\"relpost-block-single-image rpt-lazyload\" aria-label=\"Stephen Doyle\" role=\"img\" data-bg=\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/03\/pic-150x150.jpg\" style=\"background: transparent no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; 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Photo credit: David Hiney.\" role=\"img\" data-bg=\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2024\/01\/M4A1213-150x150.jpg\" style=\"background: transparent no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 150px; height: 150px; aspect-ratio: 1\/1;\"><\/div><div class=\"relpost-block-single-text\"  style=\"height: 75px;font-family: Arial;  font-size: 12px;  color: #333333;\"><h2 class=\"relpost_card_title\">Dr. Sabine Sharp: A Brief History of Trans Activism in the UK<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/2026\/04\/23\/dr-francisco-espinoza-and-jasper-samuels-the-lgbtq-politics-staff-and-students-network-trip-to-peoples-history-museum\/\"class=\"relpost-block-single\" ><div class=\"relpost-custom-block-single\"><div class=\"relpost-block-single-image rpt-lazyload\" aria-label=\"Jasper Samuels and Francisco Espinoza\" role=\"img\" data-bg=\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/04\/espinoza-and-samuels-150x150.jpg\" style=\"background: transparent no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; 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With little scope to do so within my own role, I reached out to the EDI directorate to see if there were any upcoming projects I could get involved with. The response and support I received was brilliant and reflects how collaborative UoM colleagues are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6688,"featured_media":1742,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lgbtqplus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6688"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1738"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1738\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1741,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1738\/revisions\/1741"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}