'Love, Protest, Unity': Brighton Pride returns

The protests, parties, and community events celebrate equality and diversity while recognising the challenges that marginalised communities continue to face. The University of Brighton will be playing its own part in the celebrations by joining the Pride Community Parade which marches through the city on Saturday 6 August, starting at Hove Lawns at 11am and ending at Preston Park.

Julie Fryatt, Director of People at the University of Brighton, said: “Lonely Planet describes Brighton Pride as ‘one of the best Pride events in the world, whatever your flavour you’ll find it Brighton’ and we are delighted that once again the university will be part of the community parade. Members of our staff and student LGBTQ+ community and allies have been invited to join the parade and it usually proves to be a joyous event. Following the break in the last couple of years I am sure the atmosphere will be fantastic.”

University staff and students at Brighton Pride

Brighton Lesbian and Gay Pride 1991, photo by Alf Le Flohic

The theme of this year’s parade is 'Love, Protest and Unity', reflecting the organisation’s aims of standing together as a community and fighting for global human rights. In this, it continues the tradition of Brighton Prides since the first event in 1973, which was organised by the Sussex Gay Liberation Front as a protest against the homophobic attitudes and legislation of the time. Unfortunately, homophobic rhetoric continued to grow and because of this Pride did not return to Brighton until 1991.

Thankfully, times have changed, and Brighton Pride is now an unmissable event happening every August, spreading across the city and involving hundreds of community groups and businesses. Thousands of people flood the streets every August to take part in one of the UK’s biggest Pride events.

The university is delighted that it has been given a spot in the Pride Community Parade this year – and the opportunity to show its commitment to furthering LGBTQ+ equality and promoting inclusion, both on campus and within the local community. More than 30 members of staff and students have volunteered to take part in the march, and many more will also be showing their support by turning up to watch the parade.

Julie Fryatt said: “Demonstrating our commitment to our LGBTQ+ community is part of making the university a more inclusive place for all, ensuring that everyone can bring their true selves to work. For many of us this is a deeply personal commitment and over the recent years this work has included achieving a placing in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers in addition to work in other areas such as our Silver Athena Swan award and a Bronze Race Equality Charter Award.”

Brighton Pride takes place on 6-7 August. Find out more about the parade and the other events on offer at: www.brighton-pride.org.

For more on the Alf Le Flohic's work on the Sussex Gay Liberation Front see: www.gayhistory.co.uk.