In honour of Pride Month over 60 students and colleagues from the University of Westminster joined together, adorned in rainbows and glitter, to take part in the London Pride Parade on 28 June.
The group from the University included students, colleagues and senior leaders from diverse backgrounds. There were more than 60 participants, including Professor Peter Bonfield, University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability, and Professor Janet Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries.
This year’s Parade ran from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, over to Trafalgar Square and ended at Whitehall Place. Five free stages could be found along the way which offered an array of entertainment from cabaret to drag shows. Along the route people joined together to dance, sing and embrace their pride.
Westminster contingent’s participation in the London Pride Parade followed its Second Annual Queering Academia conference that took place on 27 June.
Professor Anand said: “One had to be at the march to witness and experience energy, excitement, feeling of pride of being at a university that provides space to us all to celebrate our different identities. Our EDI programme is all about challenging prejudices and celebrating diversities, and marching together as a university community helped us renew the resolve to challenge queerphobia and celebrate our plurality. As a queer-identified person myself, this was an extra special occasion for me as it was for many of us.”
Mariia Kogan, Senior Mentoring Officer at the University of Westminster, also joined the march and added: “University of Westminster creates an environment where LGBTQIA+ colleagues like myself can feel like we belong. Inclusion is a verb, so organising the Queering Academia Conference and supporting students and staff with partaking in the Pride in London March makes more people feel included. Queer spaces like these help attendees to reflect on their experiences, celebrate small and big victories, recognise injustices, voice anger, grief and frustration and form a supportive warm community. It is good to see the continuous efforts different people at the University take to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and it makes me feel proud to be part of Westminster.”
The Pride Parade directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Westminster.
