Welcome to the University of St Andrews Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transperson Alumni Association. We were only formed in 2009 but already have over 100 members as far away as New York, Hong Kong and Switzerland as well as graduates from as far back as 1973.
Our inaugural meeting took place on Monday 22 June 2009 and our first social event took place at Edinburgh Pride. We arrange events up and down the UK. Please click on the Events tab for our upcoming events.
The Association is open to all former students and staff of the University of St Andrews as well as their friends and families, and you need not have been a member of the LGBT Society whilst at University. The Association has been formed with the aims of organising social events, promoting the University of St Andrews amongst LGBT communities around the world and forging a permanent link between alumni and current members of the University community.
If you would like more information about joining the Association please get in touch.
Please note that this Association is for alumni. If you are a current or prospective student of the University please get in touch with Saints LGBT+.
"LGBT+ life at St Andrews" - headline news published on the University website, 24 April 2018.
The University's digicomms team launched a news story saying:
"For over 40 years, LGBT groups at St Andrews have aimed to provide an open and safe environment for people to be who they are without fear of discrimination.
For a University with over 600 years of history, 40 years may feel like a short period of time. However, during this timeframe much has changed for the better for LGBT+ students and staff at St Andrews.
From one of the initial groups, GaySoc, to the formation of the current subcommittee Saints LGBT+, social attitudes may have changed, but the purpose of each group has remained the same – to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity and to provide a supportive environment regardless of sexuality or gender."
Archive, student, staff and alumni voices are included.
Read the story LGBT+ life at St Andrews.
St Andrews LGBT+ Pride, 7 April 2018.
As reported in the University staff newsletter:
"Fife's longest running PRIDE event took place on Saturday 7 April in St Andrews. People from across the rainbow of St Andrews and beyond joined the march, which was a positive celebration of equality, love, diversity and personal identity. Following the march there was a vibrant and fun-filled reception hosted by local businesses in the Students' Association, with support from Barclays, Blackhorn and Mammacita. Gathered crowds were entertained with live music, a bar, promotions and more rainbows than Judy Garland could shake a stick at!"
See University news Fife shows its PRIDE.
St Andrews LGBT Pride, 11 February 2017.
See the coverage by student newspaper Saint Online. The march gathered at St Salvator's quad and finished at the Students' Union. Solidarity, celebration and love.
Ruth Hunt speaks at installation of new St Andrews Principal, November 2016.
Chief Executive of Stonewall Ruth Hunt gave the Congratulatory Address at the installation of University of St Andrews Principal Sally Mapstone. Hunt, a former student of Mapstone at Oxford, was invited to speak by the Principal.
See the Congratulatory Address, 29 November 2016.
Staff role models, October 2016.
The University of St Andrews' equality, diversity and inclusion team (part of Human Resources), after engagement with the new Staff LGBTIQ+ Network and with guidance from Stonewall Scotland, uploaded the first University of St Andrews LGBTIQ+ Staff Role Models webpage as part of #NationalComingOutDay .
Judith Butler accolade, September 2016.
Judith Butler has been named one of the world's most influential living philosophers. The top 50 list on the Best Schools website notes the influence of her work on "many areas of critical thought, both in and out of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, feminist theory, queer theory, and literary theory". Butler received an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews in 2013.
Irvine Lecture – Sex and the Christian Churches, 31 March 2016.
This year's University of St Andrews Irvine Lecture is given by Revd Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch. The forthright and engaging talk includes a lively Q&A session.
Professor of the History of the Church, in the Theology Faculty at Oxford, Diarmaid MacCulloch was the presenter of 'A History of Christianity – the first 3,000 years' on BBC4 and BBC2, which won the Radio Times Listeners' Award in 2010. He received a knighthood in 2012 for services to scholarship, and an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews in 2013.
See the profile for Diarmaid MacCulloch on the LGBT Religious Archives Network.
St Andrews LGBT Pride, 6 February 2016.
See Events for details and https://twitter.com/SaintsLGBT for photos of the march at the corner of Union and Market Streets and of the rainbow flag flying again from St Salvator's Chapel tower.
Mermaids production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart plays to glowing reviews at the Byre Theatre.
10-12 February 2015
See https://www.facebook.com/NormalHeartStA.
Professor Anne Carson receives Honorary Degree of DLitt in recognition of her major contribution to Classics and poetry.
See her Laureation address, 1 December 2014.
Professor Judith Butler BA MA PhD receives Honorary degree of DLitt in recognition of her contributions to philosophy, psychoanalysis and gay and lesbian studies.
See Laureation address, 600th Anniversary graduation, 13 September 2013.
Revd Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch Kt DD FBA receives Honorary degree of DLitt in recognition of his services to scholarship, and the public understanding of history.
See his Laureation address, 600th Anniversary graduation, 13 September 2013.
University of St Andrews is awarded the LGBT Charter Mark, 16 May 2013, and receives the Most LGBT Friendly Organisation (Education) award from LGBT Youth Scotland, 17 August 2013.
See details at LGBT Charter Mark.
Ali Smith FRSL receives Honorary degree of DLitt in recognition of her major contribution to the field of writing.
See her Laureation address, 20 November 2011.