The annual, Bournemouth Student Pride event took place on the 3 May 2022 in support of LGBTQ+ and Trans and Non-Binary Campaign, who helped organise it.
Since 2015, LGBTQ+ student leaders (elected officers & society committees) from both BU and Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) student unions have worked alongside staff from SUBU’s Democracy and Campaigns team to deliver one of the biggest events on campus.
The event began with a traditional parade that started at the AUB campus in the morning, and continued through to BU's Talbot Campus, where the day of celebration, fun and education continued. While colourful costumes, rainbow banners and music helped to give the parade a party atmosphere, the event is reminder of the challenges, inequalities and discrimination the LGBTQ+ community faces in society.
Student, Leon Cambray, who helped organise the parade, said: "Pride to me is all about visibility and being allowed to be yourself. Visibility for the queer and trans community isn't great. A lot of people still think there aren't that many of us, but it's about proving that we're there, we exist, and we deserve to be respected just like everyone else."
Along with the parade, there were stalls laid out in the SUBU building from LGBTQ+ charities and businesses, including the Space Youth Project and Body Positive Dorset. Students visiting could also enjoy having their face painted or make their own smoothie using a bike to pedal-power the mixer.
Hayley Butler, SUBU’s Liberation and Campaigns Coordinator said: “We're so happy to have Student Pride back on campus and see it thriving, like it has been in previous years. We just wanted to bring everyone together for one big event."
