Special event features talks from students, staff and community partners
By Mr George Wigmore (Senior Communications Officer), Published
City, University of London celebrated Pride Month with a powerful and thought-provoking event in June that brought together staff, students, and community members.
Hosted by the School of Health and Psychological Sciences (SHPS), the LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion, and the Students’ Union, the hybrid event delivered a wide variety of talks on important issues. As part of City’s unwavering commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, the event shone a spotlight on this year's Pride theme: "We Are Everywhere".
The event kicked off with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for staff and students to mingle and connect over a meal. Following lunch, a series of salient talks explored a range of topics relevant to the LGBTQI+ community, showcasing diverse experiences and highlighting critical issues.
Michelle Ellis, Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in SHPS, opened the event with a warm welcome. “I'm absolutely delighted to be here for us to celebrate Pride this year,” said Michelle. “The theme is ‘We Are Everywhere.’ It's great that we are hosting the event and partnering with our colleagues across the University to share research and think about non-binary students and staff in higher education.”
One of the talks at the event was a moving presentation by Matt Mahmood-Ogston, Founder and CEO of the Naz and Matt Foundation. Matt shared personal experiences and discussed the Foundation's mission to support LGBTQI+ individuals from religious or culturally conservative backgrounds. His talk emphasized the profound impact of acceptance on mental health and well-being, illustrating how inclusivity can dramatically reduce suicidal ideation among LGBTQI+ individuals.
Harri Roe, a third-year midwifery student, presented her research on the experiences of LGBTQI+ families in maternity services. Harri’s dissertation explored the pervasive issue of heteronormativity within these services and highlighted the need for better education and training for healthcare professionals. She discussed the challenges faced by female same-sex couples and non-binary individuals in maternity settings, advocating for the use of inclusive language and the importance of continuity in caregiver relationships.
The event also featured insights from the PRIDE Project, which involves Dr Mat Lucassen, a Reader in Mental Health in SHPS. This initiative focuses on promoting resilience and well-being among sexual and gender minority youth through co-designed interventions. Dr Lucassen discussed the development of the "Oneself" toolkit, a web-based resource aimed at supporting the mental health of LGBTQI+ youth. This toolkit includes social polls, animations, exercises, and worksheets designed to help young people navigate their identities and mental health challenges.
Additionally, the LGBTQI+ society hosted a fun and engaging quiz on queer history and trivia, followed by a Q&A session. This segment provided a platform for participants to discuss critical issues within the community. The society emphasised that the best thing allies can do is "be a friend" and "be mindful of how people differ from one another", underscoring the importance of friendship and listening to queer voices.
Related schools, departments and centres
Other stories you might like
-
Moving for Mental Health Awareness Week
Hybrid event hosted a variety of different speakers who shared their experiences and research in relation to mental health and mindful movement
-
Marking International Women’s Day
School of Health & Psychological Sciences marks International Women’s Day with a special event
-
Celebrating neurodiversity week
Event was well attended by staff, students and external experts, and it gave participants an excellent opportunity to share their knowledge
