Pride Month June 2023
We have a strong tradition of marking Pride Month with involvement in events on and off-campus, and we're pleased to continue that tradition in 2023.
Marking Pride Month in June 2023
There are several important initiatives and activities that the University is involved with throughout the year to support and raise awareness of the issues and barriers that are faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBTQ+) people both in the UK and across the world. By listening to and working with our LGBTQ+ community our goal is to move towards the elimination of discrimination and unfair treatment on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Pride Month is a great chance for us all to reflect on who we are as a diverse University community and to show up to support our LGBTQ+ colleagues and students: enhancing their voice and understanding the difficulties they face, while celebrating the valuable contributions they make to life at the University.
The University of York has a strong tradition of marking Pride Month with involvement in a variety of events both on-campus and in the city.
York Pride Parade - 3 June
The University will take part in the York Pride parade, marching from the Minster to the Knavesmire on Saturday 3 June, where we welcome all members of our community to join us and to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community. The University will then host a Pride-themed stall at the racecourse, with a variety of family-friendly activities and contributions from departments across the University.
Raising the flag - 6 June
We will be continuing our tradition of raising the Progress Pride Flag on the flag mound behind Central Hall on Tuesday 6 June, 12.45pm - 1.45pm, to mark the start of the Pride Month. Please do come along to hear from the Vice Chancellor and other colleagues, and enjoy tea and cakes.
Please be aware that photography and video recording will take place during the Progress Pride flag raising event, which may be used for marketing purposes by the University of York. If you have any concerns or would prefer not to feature, please email communications-support@york.ac.uk. For further information about how we use photography or video which includes you, please see our privacy notice.
Pride Workshops
Tuesday 6 June 9.30 until 11.45am in P/L/005 (Physics Exhibition Centre).
Following the Listening Exercise held in April, we are holding a workshop on the morning of the flag raising where information will be shared about the feedback gathered, work already underway in different areas and work planned. We will also discuss the two main themes that emerged from the Listening Exercise (peer support and equity) and come up with ideas and plans for how to move things forward. If you're interested in taking part, shaping these ideas and maybe even being involved in work to put these ideas into action, sign up and come along on the day.
We would like to invite all members of our community to join us for these Pride Month celebrations, and if you would like more information about how you can get involved in any of these activities, please contact us at equality@york.ac.uk
What else is on?
Find details below of the events that we're organising; you can also find them on our Celebrating Diversity Events Series calendar - and if you subscribe to the calendar, or to individual events, the details will be added to your own Google calendar so you don't miss things that you're interested in!
University of York events
Tuesday 13 June 2023, 6.30pm to 7.30pm - Piazza Building, Campus East, University of York - in-person only
Join us for a fascinating conversation with politician and former actor Michael Cashman, who made history - first as an actor, one half of the first gay kiss on a British soap, and then as a campaigner and politician fighting for gay rights.
Thursday 8 June 2023, 8pm to 9pm - online event
Queer science fiction writer and researcher Bee Scott explores how science fiction plays are reinvestigating and challenging our assumptions about the future of queer life.
Find out more about Queer Futures in Science Fiction Theatre
City-wide and national events
There are other Pride Month events taking place within the city and across the country. You can also keep an eye out for local and national events being held to celebrate Pride Month, such as the York LGBT Forum and the LGBT Foundation online events.
Saturday 3 June 2023, 2pm to 3pm - Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens, in-person only
Award-winning writer and historian Jill Liddington discusses Anne Lister’s 1836-38 diaries, focusing on Anne’s relationship with wealthy local heiress Ann Walker.
Wednesday 14 June 2pm to 4pm - StreetLife Hub, Coney Street, in-person only
This guided tour brings into focus the city's LGBTQI+ communities past and present, enabling queer residents and visitors to see themselves and their lives reflected in the cityscape around them, and allowing us to celebrate the contributions made by LGBTQI+ people to the history and development of our city.
Resources and related links
Find relevant resources (internally and externally produced), staff and student networks, recordings of earlier talks and free films to watch online.
- Our commitment to supporting our trans and non-binary community
- Trans awareness staff training sessions
- Guide for HR staff, managers and staff supporting students who are transitioning
- LGBT Foundation - A guide to being a trans ally
- Guidance for LGBT+ staff and students travelling outside the UK
- Trans staff and students in higher education: improving experiences (internal use only)
We believe that in order to understand who we are as a University community and to gain a better insight into the diverse identities of our staff and students, it is important for us to be aware of the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) terminology that is associated with individuals and groups.
With that in mind, we have compiled a glossary of EDI terms, intended as a starting point for people to further their knowledge and understanding of this area.
The University is committed to working closely with and supporting our LGBTQ+ staff and student communities throughout the year on a number of initiatives, you can find out more about our staff and student networks below:
We have a number of recordings from previous Pride Month, LGBT+ History Month and other related awareness events, that are available for you to watch again via the University's Equality Office and York Ideas YouTube channels. You can also find free LGBTQ+ films to watch online with this Leeds Queer Film Festival listing.
- Gentleman Jack: The life and legacy of Anne Lister
- Intersectionality: action from knowledge
- Why what happens off-screen matters
- Escaping persecution - LGBT+ stories of asylum, past and present
- The Log Books: We are family - stories of LGBTQ+ people feeling at home (2022)
- The Log Books: stories from our LGBTQ+ history (2021)