National Student Pride returned to the University of Westminster’s Marylebone Campus with their Daytime festival for their 17th annual event.
National Student Pride helps young people develop their skills and kick-start their careers through the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ graduate job fair. Along with the fair, National Student Pride hosted a range of talks and performances on the main stage. The Daytime festival began with a panel discussion entitled ‘The Media War on Trans People’ which was chaired by Natasha Devon MBE. During the talk, panellists discussed the surge in negative coverage on trans people, the reality of being trans in the social media space, dispelling information and the ways in which true inclusion can be achieved.
This was followed by the inaugural National Student Pride Awards and a performance from Nikkita and Hannah Koppenburg.
The main stage also hosted a panel conversation about body image, social media and the journey of finding happiness in one’s physical self in association with Attitude Magazine. Panellists included TikTok star Ben Wardle, actor Charlie Craggs, influencer Aliss Bonython, comedian Sophie Duker and Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite.
The group explored the interplay between social media presentation and body dysmorphia, with John Whaite suggesting that the Instagram algorithm pushes perfection, later referring it to “shame by another name”. Ben Wardle also commented on the 21st aesthetic of face tuning and photoshop, referencing the danger of Kris Jenner threatening to sue someone for posting an unfiltered photo of her daughter. On the other hand, Aliss Boynthon raised how social media introduced her to the body positivity movement, inspiring her to create a platform where others would then find safety to be themselves.
National Student Pride also hosted an exclusive conversation with singer-songwriter Emile Sande with Attitude editor Cliff Joannou. During the conversation, they discussed Sande’s relationship with her partner, the public reaction to her coming out, the importance of authenticity and her journey towards being herself in the public eye.
On The Next Stage, three discussions were held including a talk about how to help LGBTQ+ Ukrainians, ‘Out At Work’ in association with EUROUT and ‘Researching the Rainbow’.
The day event was closed with the ‘Cheers Queers!’ game show.
National Student Pride is an annual festival held at the University, bringing together thousands of students to celebrate Pride. It is a not-for-profit organisation run by a committee of student volunteers and supported by a team of graduate volunteers and an experienced advisory board who help to strategically steer the organisation.
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