Campus flies the flag for York Pride

Posted on 4 June 2015

The rainbow flag will unfurl at the University of York as the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Koen Lamberts, underscores the institution’s support for York Pride 2015 and the local LGBT+ community.

Professor Lamberts will raise the rainbow flag outside Central Hall at 11am on 8 June at an event organised by members of the LGBTI Matters staff equality forum and the Equality and Diversity Office. The rainbow colours of LGBT+ Pride will also fly over the Department of Psychology and, as part of York Festival of Ideas, in the Ron Cooke Hub on Heslington East.

The displays demonstrate the University’s support for the Pride theme to show students, staff and visitors that the campus is welcoming, inclusive and embraces diversity. Pride organisers hope that many businesses and organisations across the city will fly the internationally recognised symbol of LGBT+ Pride in the weeks around Pride day.

Professor Lamberts said: “The University of York is pleased to fly the rainbow flag. We are committed to the creation of a positive social environment which is fair, welcoming and inclusive and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”

The University has a long tradition of addressing issues important to LGBT+ people through teaching, research and by creating safe spaces in which staff, students and visitors can learn and socialise. Students and staff organised a range of public events for February’s LGBT History Month while the Centre for Applied Human Rights also hosts human rights defenders working to promote and protect the rights of sexual minorities around the world.

Adrian Lee of the LGBTI Matters staff forum said: “It’s great that senior management have so actively supported the LGBT+ staff, students and their non-LGBT+ friends to organise these events highlighting the sometimes hidden contributions the LGBT+ community has made. We hope that Pride stimulates a host of ongoing initiatives to further inclusion and the embracing of diversity on campus and in the city.”

At the flag raising the LGBTI Matters staff forum and Equality and Diversity Office colleagues will distribute rainbow coloured lanyards for staff to hold their University cards as a symbol of their support for equality. Staff and students, supported by the University of York Science Education Group will also be running stalls at Pride on Knavesmire on Saturday 20 June, including science related displays and activities for all ages exploring the colours of the rainbow.