Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Pride at Leeds Beckett University
Our Leeds Beckett University community strives to create a welcoming environment within the university and beyond, where everyone feels safe, comfortable and proud to express their identity. In recognition of our LGBTQIA+ students and staff, we will be celebrating a selection of their work throughout Pride Month, Pride Leeds, and LGBTQ+ History Month.
Why we celebrate Pride Month in June
June is recognised internationally as Pride Month to mark the Stonewall Riots (or Stonewall Uprising) which happened in June 1969 in the United States. On 28 June 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, which was known as a welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community. The raid prompted people to protest against the violence and injustice brought upon the community. A year later, a group of activists organised the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, a precursor to today’s Pride parades. The Stonewall Riots are considered the catalyst for the LGBTQIA+ rights movement around the world.
Pride Month honours the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, where all human rights are recognised and respected.
Pride at Leeds Beckett
At Leeds Beckett University, we strive to improve inclusivity within our communities. Our students, staff and academics advocate for representation and the celebration of diversity, so, throughout June, we are highlighting their important contribution.
- Dr Ian Lamond, Senior Lecturer at the School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management, shares the meaning and history behind Pride Month.
- Sarah Squires, Principal Lecturer in Physical Education in the Carnegie School of Sport, played a key role in producing acclaimed LGBT film Blue Jean.
- Leeds Beckett Fine Art student Florian Hynam shares his experience exhibiting at Leeds Art Gallery with his project 'No Pride in Assimilation', which explores the importance of understanding LGBT+ history today.
- Leeds Beckett Fashion student Lottie Blankstone shares the inspiration behind her genderless fashion collection which depicts cultural Judaism.
- Susan Rook, lecturer at the Carnegie School of Education, shares a list of children’s books with positive transgender representation and explains why this is essential for children’s development and adults’ education.
- Our librarians have put together a helpful list of LGBTQIA+ reading recommendations and TED Talks.
- Our city campus will be lit in the colours of the rainbow to mark the beginning and end of the month. The Pride flag will be flying at the James Graham building on Headingley Campus all throughout June.
Pride flag at James Graham
Join our LGBTQIA+ groups
If you’re a student and would like to be a part of an LGBTQIA+ community group, join the LGBT+ student community through Leeds Beckett Students’ Union.
If you’re a member of staff and would like to join an LGBTQIA+ group, the Rainbow Rose forum is open to all.
Leeds Pride 2023 happened on Sunday 6 August this year and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team proudly marched in the parade, along with LBSU, as they do every year. If you were a part of our walking float this year, thank you for being there.
