As the curtains close for pride month: carry on the torch of visibility and representation

As we wrap up for Pride month, I want to remind all of you to constantly challenge narratives and dialogues which are divisive and antagonising to a community whose only mission is to be seen as we see everyone else: human.

When the goings of your activism which is your allyship seem to take the wrong turn, self awareness of your prejudice and blind spot is only as true when noticed and corrected.

Pride 2023

We will always be here to help you understand the way to treat your fellow human being as you treat yourself. Projection of ones fears (phobia) acts as a catalyst which perpetuates the barrage of impertinence against the community. As we have seen in recent times manifested through the community and the wider society.

When not corrected, it stains the walls of your heart, taints the pure glowing essence of your soul and inevitably manifest into your reality which we’ve seen plaguing the community with some actively demanding division, when many have fought for unity.

What does pride mean to UON staff?

So this pride LGBTQ+ lets unite.

We asked some of our members of staff here at UON to share their views on Pride and Allyship. Here are the questions we asked them below, followed by their answers:

• What does Pride mean to you?
• As a member/ally, how do you show your support/allyship to the community?
• What are you doing this pride to showcase your activism and celebration?

Tanith Jones

Brand & Advertising Marketing Officer

What does Pride mean to you? 

Pride to me means a celebration of all people. To come together and show support and celebrate how far we’ve came over the 50+ years but also to highlight that change is still needed and awareness is still needed. Pride is a celebration for everyone and a reminder that people should be allowed to love who they like without the pressure of being judged .

As a member / ally, how do you show your support? 

I like to educate myself whether that be through training or general conversations with friends.

What are you doing this pride to showcase your activism and celebration? 

I should hopefully be attending Brighton pride, where I’ll be celebrating Pride with friends

Elliot Hemsworth

Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production student

What does Pride mean to you? 

Pride, to me means having the privilege of living openly as a queer person, and using that privilege to provide safety, inclusivity and freedom of expression. It’s also a celebration of those who came before us in the fight for LGBTQ rights. The pride parades especially are a really good environment for people to experiment with their fashion and identity in an accepting space.

As a member / ally, how do you show your support? 

Being an ally is more of an active thing as opposed to a more passive label, it includes basic things like not assuming pronouns or gender, acknowledging certain privileges such as being able-bodied, being cis, and even being open to learn about the history and the struggles we face in many countries today.

What are you doing this pride to showcase your activism and celebration? 

Our society will be meeting up with some local Northampton queer groups during the pride parade on the 8th July, this will be a great opportunity for our members to get to know queer groups outside of the university. For many of our member

Victoria Eaton

Student Engagement Coordinator (SU)

What does Pride mean to you? 

When I think of Pride I think of a time set aside to celebrate and show love to the LGBTQ+ community! As a white, cis woman from a comfortable background, I have been incredibly fortunate never to have had to question if I would be accepted, supported, and loved by my community if I had ever felt like I wanted or needed to explore my gender and sexuality. When I think of Pride, I think of the importance of showing support to those not as lucky as I, to show there is a safe, inclusive and loving space for us all whenever we are.

As a member/ally, how do you show your support/allyship to the community?

It is easy for many in this day and age to live in a space that is so accepting, that you almost forget the need for events like Pride Month. It can be easy to forget that acceptance is a relatively recent phenomenon, and that there are still many that are not accepting. It seems baffling. By showing your support, sharing a caring voice, and taking a moment to think of your privilege (and sometimes taking more than a few moments to explain what privilege is to those who misunderstand the term!) you can make a real difference. Seemingly small actions, like wearing a pronoun badge, or sharing your pronouns at the start of a conversation can transform a space and where possible, I’ll always try to support the community by taking steps that are ‘easy’ for me, but could be harder for others, to normalise those actions.

What are you doing this pride to showcase your activism and celebration?

This Pride I wore Rainbow Laces to Glastonbury Festival! Our group cheered for LGBTQ+ acts, we admired the outfits worn by those in the LGBTQ+ community and most importantly, we recognised that everyone there was united by a common purpose – to enjoy themselves in a safe space! I’ve also read some really interesting articles about Pride Parades and the impact that local councils have on the routes, visibility, and promotion of Pride in various areas around the country – particularly in Dublin where a Queer journalist posted a really informative X feed on the attitude of the local council towards their celebrations and the negative impact that seemingly small decisions have made on their Parade.

Hannah Broughton

Student Engagement Coordinator (SU)

What does Pride mean to you?

Pride is the celebration of all of those in the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a time to remember that whoever you are, you are not only appreciated in this month but supported throughout every day. It reminds us of the struggles faced each day for those who are not in a safe space or those who have experienced pain through the judgment of others. It reminds us all to be kind, be proud and never change who you are for anyone.

As a member/ally, how do you show your support/allyship to the community?

Here at the Students’ Union we support you. This is a safe space for you and you are important. We are here to help make your university experience the best it can be. We have a range of societies, sports and networks including the LGBT society and the LGBTQ+ network that offer students the platform to talk, build friendships and make memories.

What are you doing this pride to showcase your activism and celebration?

To show my activism I have been attending LGBTQIA+ talks and workshops to widen my understanding of the community. With particular focus on the local history of Northamptonshire and its relationship with the LGBTQIA+ community. I also engage in conversations that can open my mind and educate my understanding as an ally.

We would love to hear your views on what Pride means to you either in written or video format. Send this to brand@northampton.ac.uk.

Junior-Cudjoe Impraim

Junior-Cudjoe ( JC) works in the marketing and international department, an alumni to the university. He is part of the LGBTQ+ and GEM Staff Network.