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Pride month takes place during June and is dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ is proud of and supports its LGBTQ+ staff and students.

Why June?

June is when the Stonewall riots took place in the US in 1969. The riots were important protests that changed LGBT rights for people in America and around the world.

LGBTQ+ inclusion at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥

Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ is one of the most inclusive employers in Britain and features in the (Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality) .

This recognises organisations with the most inclusive and welcoming workplaces for employees. This year, the university achieved its highest-ever position, along with a Gold Award.

Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ is also a signatory to the ‘Trans Rights are Human Rights’ campaign led by Stonewall. We have recently revised the policy on , talking to staff and students through focus groups and ensuring that terminology was updated and the format was as user-friendly as possible.

Mel Crofts, Interim Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ said:

“At Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ we are proud of our diverse staff and student community and Pride month is an important time to celebrate and highlight the achievements of LGBTQ+ community and show our continued support to progressing for equality for all.”

Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Pride

Each year Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ marks LGBTQ+ history month, which takes place in February.

Working in collaboration with LGBTQ+ staff and students across the university to hold a vibrant range of events for Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Pride.

This year, events included:

• A Rainbow Families Gallery Takeover workshop for LGBTQ+ parents.
• The Big Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ pride quiz night hosted by De Montfort Students’ Union.
• A #BehindTheLens Question and Answer session with Ash Kotak about invisibilised LGBT+ movie; the legendary Indian-born producer Ismail Merchant of Merchant Ivory Productions.
• A film screening of the affirmative gay love story, Maurice, produced by Merchant and Ivory, was held at the Phoenix Theatre.
• An intersectional panel diuscussing ‘.
• A Strictly Come Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Pride Dancing event, where attendees learned how to Waltz and Cha Cha Cha.

You can watch back events .

You can also access the dedicated Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Pride microsite which includes interesting interviews with Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ alumni, information on what LGBTQ+ symbols mean, being and LGBTQ+ ally, and the importance of pronouns.

Join the LGBTQ+ society

Students can join the LGBTQ+ society and can find further details on how to join .