Mission & Milestones

Mission

True U is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment at TU Delft for LGBTIQ+ staffs. We strive to enhance visibility and acceptance through connections, events, and dialogue. Serving as advocates for diversity and inclusion, we align with TU Delft's policies and actively contribute to creating a safe and stimulating workplace. True U seeks to inform and inspire, serving as a point of contact for LGBTIQ+ matters and promoting collaboration among all colleagues and allies. Together, we aim to set an example within TU Delft's community.
 
Following are the detailed mission of True U:

  1. True U is dedicated to improving the visibility and fostering acceptance of LGBTIQ+ colleagues and students within the TU Delft community.
  2. True U actively stimulates connections, interactions, and conversations among LGBTIQ+ colleagues to identify challenges, prevent isolation, and contribute to ongoing discussions on visibility and acceptance.
  3. True U organizes various events, lectures, and meetings to provide platforms for dialogue, mutual understanding, and engagement among the members of the LGBTIQ+ community.
  4. Recognizing TU Delft's influential role in society, True U aims to set an example by actively showcasing the work and contributions of LGBTIQ+ individuals within the university community.
  5. True U aligns with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy and integrity policy of the TU Delft, serving as a valuable discussion partner for the Executive Board and stakeholders in the ongoing development and implementation of these policies.
  6. True U supports the pursuit of TU Delft of a safe and stimulating working environment where every colleague, including LGBTIQ+ individuals, feels secure and appreciated for their authentic selves.
  7. As part of our responsibility, True U seeks to inform, advise, and inspire TU Delft and the Executive Board on D&I and integrity issues related to the LGBTIQ+ community.
  8. True U serves as a point of contact and a sounding board for anyone within TU Delft seeking guidance on LGBTIQ+ matters, offering our network to facilitate connections and discussions.
  9. True U invites participation from all LGBTIQ+ colleagues and straight allies who share our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, embracing collaboration among scientific and support staff.
  10. True U collaborates closely with national and international LGBTIQ+ employee resource groups such the LDE Pride network (Leiden – Delft – Erasmus) and WorkPlace Pride.  
  11. While students have their dedicated association, Outsite, True U maintains regular contact, fostering collaboration and mutual support between the diverse communities at TU Delft.

Establishment

On October 11, 2016, True U Delft (True U for short) officially started as the LGBTIQ + network of employees at TU Delft. At the initiative of Leon Hombergen and Dirk van den Heuvel with support from TU Delft and the Executive Board, which was confirmed by the presence of Anka Mulder, then Executive Board member.
 
Legally, the acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people is almost completely regulated, which historically can be regarded as something special. But that does not mean that we can rest on our laurels and that all kinds of small and large prejudices in everyday life have simply disappeared. In fact, the work is just beginning. In addition to violent incidents that are discussed in the media and cause a lot of unrest among LGBTIQ + people , the workplace and education are often a grey area. In order to counteract feelings of discomfort, insecurity and (often unintentional) exclusion, it is necessary to actively engage in conversation about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in education. The founders of True U aim to facilitate this conversation by establishing an LGBTIQ+ network. Acceptance and understanding of LGBTIQ+ people are only possible through visibility and openness.

Milestones

  • 11 October 2016 - True U is established with a lunch event at Lijm & Cultuur
  • 11 October 2019 - True U introduces the True U mug
  • 14 February 2020 - first True U Valentine's lunch with rainbow hart cake
  • 11 December 2020 - True U introduces True U stickers
  • 11 December 2020 - True U starts discussion on all gender toilets on campus
  • 11 October 2022 - True U introduced True U's Pink Closet
  • 10 November 2022 - First Meet the Networks event for new TU Delft employees
  • 1 August 2022 - TU Delft raises raibow flag in front of the Aula every day of the year
  • 9 December 2022 - TU Delft changes to progress flag in front of Aula
  • 9 December 2022 - True U introduces new logo in progress colours
  • 20 June 2023 - Start of the True U's Pink Closet tour
  • 24 November 2023 - Kick off of LDE Pride collaboration

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