LGBTQ+ community in Pembroke

Pembroke is a College that strives to be welcoming and inclusive for all of our members, be they students, staff, Fellows, alumni/ae or guests. We want this to be true for our LGBTQ+ community in Pembroke. We believe that all members of the College must feel free and proud to be their full selves, and to be confident about their sexual orientation and gender expression; and we stand ready to help and support any of our LGBTQ+ members who wish it.

Cambridge SU launched the Care+ Campaign in February 2021 to coordinate efforts between the colleges in promotion of LGBTQ+ welfare. LGBTQ+ members or our allies may be interested to read the recent report “Out at Cambridge”, a fascinating study of life at Cambridge, with policy challenges for the future. Based on recommendations in the report, we have worked to increase intersectional visibility and support in our community -- besides proudly flying the Rainbow and Transgender Flags, we have increased access to a gender expression fund available to all undergraduate and graduate students at Pembroke, organized termly meetings of LGBTQ+ staff, faculty, and students to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, and designated a LGBTQ+ Champion as a point of contact.

We are special amongst Cambridge colleges in that our designated LGBTQ+ advocate is also our Master. Chris Smith, as the first openly gay MP in the UK, has long stood for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. At Pembroke, he has organized Master’s Seminars in honour of LGBTQ+ History Month and has also hosted informal receptions in the Master’s Lodge for the College LGBTQ+ community. Lord Smith will be very happy to provide any guidance or help in this role.

Welcome Message from Lord Smith

“I want to give the warmest possible welcome to all of our LGBTQ+ students and staff. We aim to be a friendly, open and inclusive community here at Pembroke; and making sure that all LGBTQ+ members of that community can feel proud about being themselves is a crucial part of that. We respect each other, and we support each other, here.  After a lifetime of championing the cause of LGBTQ+ rights, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I stand ready to help, support and advise anyone who wants to ask. My very best wishes to all.”

And our LGBTQ+ reps on the Junior Parlour and Graduate Parlour Committees are also there to help. Welcome!