This year marks 50 Years of Pride UK and 15 years of Cornwall Pride

Universities’ support for Cornwall Pride

Falmouth University, the University of Exeter and Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union (SU) are proud to support the series of 11 Cornwall Pride Events, taking place across Cornwall between May and July 2022. They are jointly Pride Silver partners and have signed the Pride Pledge.

Cornwall Pride aims to reach communities and connect people together by raising awareness, engaging all LGBTQ+ and marginalised people with support services and inspiring all communities through the celebration of Pride. This year marks 50 Years of Pride UK and 15 years of Cornwall Pride. The first of 11 Community Prides takes place at Events Square in Falmouth on Saturday 7 May, following a parade through the town. University and Students’ Union representatives will be taking part in the afternoon event at Falmouth, where they will have a stall. They will also be at Truro Pride on Saturday 18 June.

Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, CEO Cornwall Pride said, "Cornwall Pride is proud to have a network of incredible support across Cornwall, who understand the need to raise awareness, deliver support and celebrate communities. We know the lengths in which Falmouth University, the University of Exeter, The Students’ Union and its Pride Society go to, to support individuals within their networks. We are proud to partner with these fabulous organisations, who are taking huge steps towards visible inclusion.”

The Universities share the Everyone Welcome, Many Voices, One Community vision.

For staff, there is the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, which is open to staff and PGR students of all sexual orientations and gender identities who would like a secure space to fully express their sexual orientation and/or gender identity without fear of intimidation or harassment. Also welcome are those who do not identify as LGBTQ+ but would like to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community by being an ally. Network events are held monthly, and a social event is arranged every 6 months.

For students, the SU Pride Society provides an open and secure environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Their aim is to provide an environment where people across the spectrum of gender and sexuality can feel safe, comfortable, and happy with who they are during their time at university, while getting involved in the different activities offered by the society. Regular events include socials, film screenings, and artistic events aiming to encourage collaboration and visibility.

Neo Stansby, LGBTQ+ Officer, Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union said, “Working with Cornwall pride for the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK has been an honour and something I never expected to be doing. Pride is the perfect time to better educate people that might not know about certain spectrums of the LGBTQIA+ banner. It's also a perfect time to look back at all the amazing achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community in the last 50 years, celebrating how far we have come. It's also important to keep pushing for a better future for younger or new LGBTQIA+. This pride event is very important to me as it is my first Pride and I'm hoping that things get better for all of us and keep moving in the right direction for 50 more years to come!"

To find out more about the Pride events across Cornwall visit the website

More information on the Universities’ work to improve Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found on Exeter's EDI page and Falmouth's Diversity page.

Date: 5 May 2022