STRIPES UNDA LGBTQIA+SB student/staff experiences/perceptions
In a survey in 2025 the university deemed that LGBTQIA+SB students had a great experience on campus and dismissed the presidents concerns. We want to know your thoughts, feedback, feelings and perceptions of being LGBTQIA+SB on campus. Please know everything is anonymous.
What this survey will be used for
This survey will be used to bring a report back to the university on the realities of the lived experiences of our community, the perceptions of acceptance of our community and the thoughts and feelings surrounding events impacting our community. It may also inform the presidents review which is public (your information is anonymous)
Student/staff
Current
Past
Future
Student
Staff
Lgbtqia+sb
Ally
Ended up deciding not to attend
Outsider perspective
Other
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Experience on campus
How would you describe your experience as an LGBTQIA+SB student or staff member at Notre Dame?
Please Select
Very positive
Mostly positive
Mixed
Mostly negative
Very negative
Prefer not to say
Please tell us about your experience.
If you are not part of the LGBTQIA+SB community, do you think LGBTQIA+SB students and staff are treated differently on campus?
Please Select
Yes, positively
Yes, negatively
No noticeable difference
Unsure
To what extent do you feel Notre Dame is welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQIA+SB students and staff?
Please Select
Very welcoming
Somewhat welcoming
Neutral
Somewhat unwelcoming
Very unwelcoming
Do you currently feel comfortable being open about your LGBTQIA+ identity on campus?
Please Select
Yes
Mostly
Sometimes
No
Not applicable
Prefer not to answer
What factors have influenced your answer?
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Negative Experiences
Have you personally experienced discrimination, harassment, or exclusion on campus because of your sexual orientation or gender identity?
Please Select
Yes
No
Unsure
Prefer not to answer
Have you witnessed discrimination, harassment, or exclusion directed towards LGBTQIA+SB students or staff on campus?
Please Select
Yes
No
Unsure
If you would like to tell us more, please describe your experience below. If your response is lengthy or you would prefer to speak privately, you are welcome to email president.stripesfreo.nd@gmail.com. Responses shared with the University will be anonymised.
What changes would most improve the experience of LGBTQIA+SB students and staff at Notre Dame?
University policies
Pride flag/banner: Stripes has been advised that the Pride flag cannot be displayed on its own and must instead form part of a broader display (such as alongside a club banner). The University has expressed concern that images showing only committee members with the Pride flag, without additional context, could be interpreted as advocacy.
What are your thoughts on this approach?
Do you think the University's approach to displaying the Pride flag is appropriate?
Please Select
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Definition of advocacy
During discussions with the University, Stripes asked for a definition of "advocacy" in relation to LGBTQIA+ visibility and events. To date, the club has not received a definition.
How important do you think it is that the University clearly defines what it considers advocacy?
Please Select
Very important
Somewhat important
Neutral
Not very important
Not important
External events/Pride
Stripes is able to hold stalls on campus (subject to University requirements). However, attending external Pride events or collaborating with other universities and community organisations has generally not been approved.
Do you think Stripes should be able to participate in external Pride events and collaborate with other universities and community organisations?
Please Select
Yes
Yes, with reasonable conditions
No
Unsure
Please explain your answer.
Drag trivia
A drag trivia event planned for a University staff end-of-year function was cancelled on the basis that it did not uphold the "good name of the University."
How does this decision affect your perception of the University's support for LGBTQIA+ inclusion?
Please Select
It makes my perception much more positive.
Somewhat more positive.
No impact.
Somewhat more negative.
Much more negative.
Please explain your answer.
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Stripes reposted a series of social media stories from another organisation to promote the importance of STI testing. The university raised concerns about the first story, which included illustrations of vulvas. At the time, we did not consider that these images may be confronting or inappropriate for some members, particularly as many of our members study or work in health-related fields. The university did not review the full series of stories, which provided the broader health context.We'd appreciate your honest feedback to help guide how we communicate in the future.
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Visible signs of inclusion
Stripes requested that the University adopt visible signs of inclusion (for example, "You are safe here" posters). To date, the University has not formally responded to this request, although some individual staff members have chosen to display these signs independently.
How important is it to you that the University displays visible signs of support and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ students and staff?
Very important
Somewhat important
Neutral
Somewhat unimportant
Not important
How does the lack of a formal response to this request affect your confidence in the University's commitment to inclusion?
Greatly increases my concern
Somewhat increases my concern
Somewhat reassures me
Greatly reassures me
Unsure
Other
Please explain your answer
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Written protections against discrimination
Stripes requested that the University enter into a written agreement affirming that students and staff would not face adverse action (such as expulsion or dismissal) because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The response received was that the University "hoped" this would not occur, rather than providing a written commitment. Some religious educational institutions have legal exemptions under Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation. This issue has been raised previously by members.
How important is it to you that the University provide written protections against discrimination affecting LGBTQIA+ students and staff?
Very important
Somewhat important
Neutral
Somewhat unimportant
Not important
How satisfied are you with the University's response to this request?
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Unsure
Would a written commitment make you feel safer or more confident at university?
Yes
Somewhat
No
Unsure
Other
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Classroom discussions
In 2023, some classes discussing a prescribed text included comments that LGBTQIA+ students considered homophobic or personally directed. Stripes advocated that staff intervene where classroom discussion becomes discriminatory or harmful towards students. The University responded that the prescribed text was intended for interpretation rather than to present an official position. The text was an account of a spiritual journey to the Roman Catholic Faith (of which Stripes has nothing against). Notably the text states "much worse was the fact that the general convention authorised drawing up rites for the blessing of same-sex union, because that converted the abberation into a rule". The abberation referring to the earlier text "a man who abandoned his wife and children in order to live in sin with another man".
Do you think teaching staff should intervene when classroom discussions become discriminatory or personally harmful to students?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
How confident are you on a scale from 1-10 that the University would respond appropriately if discriminatory classroom discussions occurred?
(1 being very confident and 10 being least, 5 being neutral)
Have you personally experienced or witnessed classroom discussions that made you or others feel unsafe or targeted?
Yes
No
Prefer not to say
Unsure
If you wish, please describe your experience.
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"You chose to attend a Catholic university"
A common response to concerns raised by LGBTQIA+ students is that attending a Catholic university is a personal choice. Members have shared a range of perspectives, including remaining connected to their faith, family expectations, financial or educational pathways, and concerns about being open about their identity.
o what extent do you agree with the statement: "Attending a Catholic university is always a genuine choice for LGBTQIA+ students."
Please Select
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Prefer not to answer
If you feel comfortable, could you share anything that influenced your decision to attend this university? (e.g. faith, family, location, course availability, financial reasons, previous schooling, privacy, community expectations, or another reason)
How would you describe the relationship between your faith (or the University's Catholic identity) and your LGBTQIA+ identity?
Please Select
They are fully compatible.
They are mostly compatible.
They sometimes feel in tension.
They are often in conflict.
I don't identify with the Catholic faith.
Prefer not to answer.
Please tell us more about your experience. OR/and Do you feel the University's expression of its Catholic identity is compatible with creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ students and staff?
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Comfort being involved in Stripes
How comfortable do you feel being involved with Stripes?
Please Select
Very comfortable
Somewhat comfortable
Neutral
Somewhat uncomfortable
Very uncomfortable
If you are not as involved as you would like to be, what are the main reasons? (Select all that apply.)
Privacy concerns
I don't feel connected to the club
Time commitments
Other (please specify)
I prefer to participate socially rather than on committee
University environment
Concerns about being identified as LGBTQIA+
Family/community concerns
Is there anything Stripes could do to make participation feel safer or more welcoming?
Stripes aims to provide social connection, visibility, information and support for LGBTQIA+ students. Where appropriate, the President may also advocate on behalf of students who raise concerns with the University.Which areas should Stripes prioritise over the next 12 months?
Social events
Peer support
Advocacy with the University
Collaboration with faith communities
Mental health and wellbeing initiatives
Visibility on campus
Online resources
Other
What is one thing you would most like Stripes to improve or introduce?
Overall, do you feel you can be your authentic self at the University?
Please Select
Always
Most of the time
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
What has most influenced your answer?
Name
First Name
Last Name
Created by
This survey is created by the 2026 Stripes President (Shelley Dewrance) a previous NDSA lgbtqia+ & accessibility representative. If you ever feel concerned about your safety or experience any issues please feel free to email me. All reports and correspondence between the club is public on the Instagram.
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