How I'm celebrating Pride at university

Sociology student Amy explains why Pride is so important to her, and how she'll be celebrating safely amid covid restrictions.

I can’t believe we’re halfway through the year already – June! That crept up on me a little bit… But June is one of my favourite months of the year as it is time to celebrate everything LGBTQ+ Pride!

Though coronavirus may have stopped the Pride parades from happening this year, I still plan to celebrate in my own way – even if it’s in my bedroom.

A brief history of Pride

The reason June is chosen to celebrate the pride of the LGBTQ+ community is because it was the month that the Stonewall Riots took place back in 1969.

In 1969, a gay bar in New York called the Stonewall Inn was raided by police, which sparked a six-day protest. This event paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights across the world, and every year in June, people come together to celebrate the pride of the LGBTQ+ community through parades.

How I'm celebrating Pride

I am originally from a small village in Norfolk, so my closest pride parade is in Norwich. Every year me and one of my best friends would travel down, dress up in the most colourful get-up, and celebrate all things rainbow! I went to my first parade in 2017, and have gone every year ever since.

After moving to Cambridge to study at ARU, I got the chance to go to Cambridge Pride in 2019. It was so fun, and meant that I was able to visit two parades that year.

This year, I planned on not only attending the parades in Norwich and Cambridge, but also wanted to go to the London parade for the first time. Sadly, due to coronavirus I will not be attending any Pride parades this year, but I still plan to celebrate in my own way.

Through June I plan to create as much LGBTQ+ content as possible, from art to baking.

I will also have my own Pride parade, just from the comfort of my own home. The friend who I always attend Pride with will get a good long video call from me, and I will make us dress up in rainbow colours, have some drinks and dance the night away.

What Pride means to me

Pride month is very special to me as somebody who identifies as bisexual, and I intend on celebrating no matter what.

To anyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and to all the allies out there, I hope you have an amazing Pride month. Please don’t forget to remember the history that allows us to freely express ourselves, and to wear as much colour as you possibly can!

Resources used

• Pride Month - Awareness Days
• 1969 Stonewall Riots - Origins, Timeline & Leaders - History.com

LGBTQ+ support and wellbeing

• Information and support for specific student groups at ARU
• Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
• LGBT Foundation
• About LGBTQIA+ and mental health - Mind

Amy studies Sociology at ARU in Cambridge. Find out more about this and other degree courses at one of our Open Days.