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Pride month takes place during June and is dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ is proud of and supports its LGBTQ+ staff and students.

Why June?

June is when the Stonewall riots took place in the US in 1969. The riots were important protests that changed LGBT rights for people in America and around the world.

LGBTQ+ inclusion at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥

ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ is one of the most inclusive employers in Britain and features in the (Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality) . This is compiled from the Workplace Equality Index, which recognises those organisations with the most inclusive and welcoming workplaces for employees. Last year, the university achieved its highest-ever position, along with a Gold Award, which recognises those organisations which exemplify best practice when it comes to LGBT inclusion.

ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ is also a signatory to the ‘Trans Rights are Human Rights’ campaign led by Stonewall, and we have a policy on which outlines ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥’s commitment to supporting trans, gender fluid and non-binary staff and students.

Jill Cowley, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Faculty, Arts Design and Humanities said: “At ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ we strive for Equality for all and dates such as Pride month are really important to raise awareness. At ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ we continue to support the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud of the diversity of our staff and students within our Empowering University.

ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Pride

Each year ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ marks LGBTQ+ history month, which takes place in February. Working in collaboration with LGBTQ+ staff and students across the university to hold a vibrant range of events for ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Pride.

This year, events included:

• A Pride Day launch featuring drag artist Liv Presents, with speeches, stalls, and entertainment.
• A number of exhibitions including Extravagant Delights and Global Fantasies which showcased the Andrew Logan collection, De Montfort Students’ Union’s LGBTQ+ quotes display, a ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Pride fashion exhibition, and a ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Pride display in the Kimberlin library.
• A verbatim play reading titled ‘This is who I am’, where LGBTQ+ people shared first-hand accounts about their experiences and addressed the particular challenges they faced going through the UK asylum system.
  • A film screening of A Deal with the Universe, following Jason Barker's incredible story of how he came to give birth to his child, was held at the Phoenix Theatre.
• A Rainbow Families Gallery Takeover workshop for LGBTQ+ parents.
• A thought-provoking intersectional film screening of ‘Under Your Nose’about aBlack LGBTQ+ community centre in Peckham, followed by a panel discission also held at the Phoenix Theatre.
  • An uplifting Queer Bollywood dance class, which broke down gender and sexuality norms, and recognised those who exist beyond the gender binary.

You can watch back previous ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Pride events .

You can also access the dedicated ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Pride microsite which includes interesting interviews with ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ alumni, information on what LGBTQ+ symbols mean, being and LGBTQ+ ally, and the importance of pronouns.

Join the LGBTQ+ society

Students can join the LGBTQ+ society and can find further details on how to join .