Throughout June, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) people are celebrated all across the world.
June is known as Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebrating and showing support for LGBTQ+ communities with protests, parades, performances, and parleys. The month is about acceptance and equality whilst recognising and remembering the LGBTQ+ people who fought for the rights of their communities. People like Marsha P Johnson who was an important part of the LGBTQ+ movement, particularly the Stonewall protests.
Pride Month is also a time for us to remember how damaging homophobia is.
Throughout the month, Edinburgh Napier’s LGBT+ Staff Network will be sharing posts to help inform and educate colleagues on the struggles and successes of the LGBTQ+ community.
The LGBT+ Staff Network are also proud to announce their new senior sponsor, Nick Antonopoulos, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal of Research & Innovation. Nick has expressed a strong interest in supporting intersectional inclusion, and the importance of staff being able to bring their whole selves to work, especially in a workplace where what we do is so personal to who we are. We look forward to working with Nick, and having him amplify the views and needs of LGBTQIA+ staff at Edinburgh Napier University.
The LGBT+ Network is open to all colleagues, no matter their sexuality or identity. Why not join us to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community at Edinburgh Pride on Saturday 25 June. As detailed on prideedinburgh.co.uk, the March will form from 12:30 at the Scottish Parliament and following speeches from invited guests and a minutes silence and noise from the Sisters of the perpetual indulgence the March will move off from 13:00
The Route:
Scottish Parliament Green (by Horse Wynd) – Ahead to the Royal Mile – The Canongate – St Mary’s Street – Cowgate – Candlemaker Row – Bristo Place – Potterrow – Crichton Street – Charles Street – Arrival into the EUSA Campus.
The staff LGBT+ Network will gather at the Scottish Parliament and follow the route together - we hope to have a Napier banner, and if you're familiar with the network, look out for members who you recognise. If you are less familiar and need help finding us, email lgbt@napier.ac.uk ahead of the day so we can make arrangements to meet you and support you to attend. Pride Edinburgh have confirmed that they will be announcing details of the Pride Bus for those who cannot walk the route. Those who will be making use of the pride bus, please contact lgbt@napier.ac.uk if you wish to meet us at the end of the march, and we will arrange for someone to meet with you to help you find the group. While Pride is a protest, the march is family friendly and there are typically family friendly activities or spaces at Teviot. In previous years, there has also been a designated quiet space for those who become overwhelmed with the revelry. As the day goes on, Teviot can become quite hectic as there is usually quite a lot of alcohol consumption.
At some point later in the day, the Napier Staff LGBT+ Network will host the Queens’ (that’s us!) Garden Party, kindly hosted by Bruce Harper-McDonald at his home in Leith. This will be a friendly barbeque open to members of the staff LGBT+ Network. You don’t need to prove how queer you are to join us, just show up. Bring along any specifics you wish to eat or drink. We’ll try to have some core supplies courtesy of the network. Details of the BBQ will be sent out via the network mailing list. If you’re not already on this, email lgbt@napier.ac.uk and we can add you to the list.
Additionally, Pride For All (a separate, accessible, intersectionally inclusive event) is being held by LGBT Health And Wellbeing on Sunday 19 June at Assembly Roxy from 1:30pm unitl 9pm. This is a free, ticketed event so please book to avoid disappointment.
For more information about the LGBT+ Staff Network or Pride Month, please contact lgbt@napier.ac.uk.