Seventh Northampton Pride parades through Waterside Campus

The rain may have been pouring, but there were no frowns in sight at the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus last weekend as it hosted the festivities for this year’s Northampton Pride.

On Saturday (8 July), hundreds of local people swarmed to the University of Northampton to celebrate Northampton’s seventh annual Pride parade and festival.

Pride is a valuable opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in West Northamptonshire and give residents the opportunity to come together to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ communities

After the Pride Parade whistled its way through the streets of the town centre, the event was officially opened with a minute of noise and opening speech by the University’s Chief Operating Officer, Becky Bradshaw. Entertainment and rainbow flags were in no short supply, with stilt walkers, hula hoopers, Burlesque dancers, Drag Queens and musical performances keeping attendees entertained throughout the afternoon.

A number of community groups and local organisations were also present on the day to provide information, support and a friendly conversation including Q Space, UON’S LGBT+ Staff Network, Royal & Derngate Theatre, NLive, Northampton Hope Centre, QStory Northampton, Vendetta Vixens and Northampton General Hospital Trust Pride Network.

A team of students were also ready and waiting from the University’s Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen course, to offer Pride inspired hair and make-up looks to help attendees feel – and look – wonderful.

The event was a fantastic demonstration of community support according to the University of Northampton’s Vice Chancellor, Anne-Marie Kilday: “It was wonderful to see so many staff, students, partner agencies and members of our local community attend this year’s festivities on campus.

“Equality, diversity and inclusivity is at the beating heart of everything we do here at UON. We take true pride in hosting Northampton Pride and engaging with our community to understand where we can better support and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ communities as a Higher Education institution.

“I can say without reservation that I look forward to continuing our involvement, enthusiasm and allyship with Northampton Pride in the coming years.”