LSBU joins thousands at Pride 2016
Another memorable year as LSBU joins thousands for the London Parade to raise awareness of LGBT+ rights and show solidarity with LGBT+ communityThis year's Pride in London Parade was the biggest one yet. More than one million people attended the event with 40,000 in the Parade alone, including nearly 300 charities, businesses and organisations, and thousands more spectating and joining in on the side lines.
LSBU pulled up in style in the number 49 big red bus, in remembrance of the 49 people killed in the Orlando nightclub shooting. The destination on the front ‘love wins’ was a crowd-pleaser with many people shouting out ‘love wins’ as the bus passed through the parade.
Around 80 LSBU-ers attended on the day, brandishing LSBU’s tag line ‘Become What You Want To Be’ which fit suitably with the #NoFilter theme of the London Parade. LSBU alumni and other groups in the parade also approached LSBU colleagues and students expressing their delight at LSBU’s presence at the parade.
On the day, those on the 49 bus were joined by people from NHS Employers who were well received by the crowd.
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan also made an appearance at Saturday’s Pride march, addressing the crowd, to reassure Europeans living in London that they are still welcome after the recent Brexit vote, before observing a minute’s silence in remembrance of the 49 people killed in the Orlando nightclub shooting.
Terry Eastham, Chair of SONET, the LSBU staff sexual orientation network, said:
“I feel privileged to be a part of London LGBT+ Pride and proud to be there with colleagues, students and friends representing LSBU and the wider education and public sectors. Given the recent tragic events in Orlando, Pride 2016 could have been a very sombre event, but instead London’s LGBT+ community and allies dressed in our best and sent out a message of solidarity to every LGBT+ person that no matter what they try, the haters will never win."
- Learn more about the SONET staff network (staff intranet, access for LSBU staff only)
- Connect with SONET on Twitter