Pride Month and support for LGBTQIA+ students at Activate Learning

At Activate Learning, we take pride in the diversity and inclusivity of our students, staff and local communities and we strive to be even better. Join us for #ActivatePride.

This month we’re celebrating Pride Month, which annually marks the contribution of the LGBTQIA+ community to the world – and to Activate Learning. Please do join us for #ActivatePride.

What is Pride Month?

June is Pride month – a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities across the world.

This year’s Pride Month marks the 51-year anniversary of the first Pride event in the UK. Despite June being Pride Month, many UK events are held throughout July, August and September.

Pride Month is usually celebrated with big parades, marches and events. The month brings communities together and champions acceptance and equality.

Pride celebrates the work of LGBTQIA+ people and their history. It also raises awareness of issues faced and how far LGBTQIA+ rights have come. Unfortunately, there’s still work to be done in some places.

It is all about being proud of who you are no matter who you love. It also calls for people to reflect on the damage homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and acephobia can cause.

Pride Month is celebrated in June as this was the month that the Stonewall riots took place. These protests are an important part of history and influenced LGBTQIA+ rights globally.

Activities during Pride Month at Activate Learning

Across our campuses, you’ll find Pride decorations, awareness campaigns and posters. We’ll also be hosting some exciting events.

Throughout Pride Month, there will also be a selection of workshops and visitors coming on-site to talk about LGBTQIA+ topics.

Learning Environments will have displays and book suggestions, as well as an eBook list.

Please contact your local Head of Student Experience to learn more about activities and support for LGBTQIA+ students on your campus.

Online 

You can find a selection of LGBTQIA+ resources for students on Activate Learning Online (ALO).

You can also join the LGBTQIA+ Club. The LGBTQIA+ Club is a gathering where you can feel safe and have fun. We encourage healthy discussions around LGBTQIA+ issues and everyone is welcome. Intolerance will not be accepted. We aim to be part of Pride celebrations and increase acceptance and tolerance across all campuses.

Pride Month events outside of college

There are plenty of Pride Month events in our local communities too!

Berkshire 

Oxfordshire

Surrey 

Support for LGBTQIA+ students at Activate Learning

Activate Learning offers dedicated individual and group support for LGBTQIA+ students at our colleges. We work closely with community networks and clubs to offer as extensive support as possible.

Student Support and Safeguarding 

Our Student Support and Safeguarding team are here to ensure you are supported and feel safe on campus. We continue to train and upskill our staff to better support all students at our colleges. They can also facilitate referrals as required to other services in the community.

The Student Support team is easily reached if you have any questions or concerns. You can call them on 01865 550 401 between 8.30am and 5.00pm on weekdays or email at safe@activatelearning.ac.uk.

Student Enrichment

The role of Student Enrichment Officers at Activate Learning is to help make college life on campus and online a fun, inspiring, and enjoyable place to be for all our students.

They are on hand to support the Students’ Union, Student Representatives and improve the campus experience.

Throughout the academic year, the Student Enrichment team celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with a range of events.

We have LGBTQIA+ clubs and groups at each of our campuses.  Anyone that identifies in the LGBTQIA+ community or as an ally will be welcome to join. These student-led societies meet to offer support, fundraise for charities and events, and organise events for the community in college.

If you are interested in coming along to a meeting or joining the society, please speak to your local Student Enrichment Officer or Regional Head of Student Experience.

Support outside of college

Activate Learning work alongside numerous charities in the UK that support our LGBTQIA+ students. These include:

Switchboard offer a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional wellbeing.

Mermaids supports transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. Mermaids offers web chat support to students up to the age of 25, a wide range of events and recruitment of volunteers.

Other local support groups near you include:

Berkshire 

  • My Umbrella 
  • LGBTQ+ Youth Group (Tuesday evenings) – a successful youth group which runs off-campus for anyone identifying at LGBTQ+. This is a safe, accepting space to have fun and seek advice and support. This group is run by Bracknell Forest Council and has a ‘closed door’ policy so please speak to your Student Enrichment Officer for details.

Oxfordshire

  • Topaz Oxford– local support group and social group
  • LGBT+Oxon– community support group and local events
  • TransOxford – local transgender support group
  • First Sunday – an inclusive Christian fellowship for LGBT people. Based at St Columba’s United Reformed Church, you don’t have to be LGBT or Christian to attend.
  • Oxford Pride – Annual Pride parade in Oxford.

Surrey 

What can I do to better understand the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community? 

If you’re looking to better understand the LGBTQIA+ community, there are plenty of free resources to learn more. These include the internet, books, magazines, podcasts, films, TV shows, influencers and pioneers. You could also attend a Pride celebration in your local area.

LGBTQIA+ books

You can borrow lots of books about LGBTQIA+ people for free via the Learning Environments. We’d also recommend reading from the Pride collection via Borrowbox.

LGBTQIA+ TV series, films and documentaries 

Here are some we recommend that explore LGBTQIA+ people and experiences:

Other Pride resources