As Pride Month is now underway, we've been speaking to our LGBTQIA+ Rep, Alex Thomas, and the Chair of OU Pride, Kit Renard, about what Pride Month means to them, and the difference it can make to OU students.
What has OU Pride got planned for Pride Month?
Kit: There are three special events during June for all students:
Pride Networks Together Staff & Students in Conversation – Wednesday, 3 June
Investigating the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students at the Open University – Monday, 8 June
Pride @ The OU: Open SU Trans Action Plan – Wednesday, 17 June
We also have our usual study sessions every Friday night from 7pm–9pm, but for Pride Month we'll have special Pride Facts! The structure of our sessions usually consist of a welcome, and two study blocks (with a break in-between). But for Pride we're going to have, during the break, a Pride Fact and a chance to discuss and ask questions.
We're also hosting a Crafternoon around Creative Writing and Pride on Saturday, 20 June from 6pm–7pm, and a celebration of the Stonewall anniversary on Sunday, 28 June from 7pm–9pm.
We're also planning to march in person at Edinburgh Pride, Belfast Pride, Cardiff Pride, and Milton Keynes Pride.
How important is Pride Month to the LGBTQIA+ community?
Alex: Pride Month can be an important time to shed light on issues the LGBTQIA+ community is facing. It’s also a time people can feel like they have somewhere they fit in, and don’t have to worry about explaining themselves.
Kit: Pride Month is the most important event in our calendar! It’s when most Pride marches are held, to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riot on 28th June. Pride is when the entire community gets together to celebrate our resilience and joy in the teeth of a world where many want us to disappear.
This is something that is often forgotten by people out with the community: Pride is a protest as well as a party.
What difference does it make to OU students, in particular?
Alex: I think studying as an OU student can be isolating, and LGBTQIA+ students may feel furtherly isolated by their gender/sexuality. Marking Pride within the OU and SU helps us make important connections to other students with experiences similar to each other.
Kit: One thing we always hear as OU students is that there aren't enough opportunities for people to find community. That is exactly the point of Pride. This is a time for LGBTQIA+ students (and allies) to come together and celebrate who we are.
In particular, since we're going to Pride marches across the UK this year, this gives OU LGBTQIA+ students and allies the opportunity to celebrate together in person!
What does it mean to you from a personal perspective?
Alex: I think the historic nature of Pride – why it started and how – is really important to keep alive. I also see how Pride is spreading to events outside big cities. Queer kids in these areas (and even some adults) might have the opportunity to see people like themselves in their local community.
Kit: So, for a long time I was a ‘bad gay’ and didn't go to Pride. I identified as queer, but I was in a 'straight' relationship, and I didn't feel like I belonged at Pride. (This is nonsense – the only people not welcome at Pride are bigots.)
Then I came out as a trans man, and I felt like now was the perfect time to experience my first Pride. It ended up being the second largest Pride in the UK for that year. I find it hard to express how amazing it was to be surrounded by such a large community – all of us celebrating who we are.
Since then, I've participated in quite a few Prides, marching with various groups, and even helping run some of them (you have no idea how much work goes into marches; please volunteer for your local Pride). I strongly encourage everyone to go to a march at least once, because everyone should get to experience that joy in community.
Is there a worry that people might only think of LGBTQIA+ rights for one month of the year?
Alex: Yes, this is why people are often sceptical of big businesses that celebrate Pride. I think it’s important to know what these organisations do all year round, so you can judge if their support of Pride is sincere.
Kit: That's always a worry. You see all these companies rainbow-washing – sticking rainbows all over their products – for June, and then as soon as July hits, the rainbows are gone.
People are reminded of the struggles that LGBTQIA+ people face in June, but if it doesn't personally affect them, it can very quickly go out of their heads. It's important to remember that hatred and bigotry happen every day for LGBTQIA+ people.
Pride Month is important, but it isn't everything. We need allies all year.
What can we as a society do to celebrate LGBTQIA+ people throughout the whole year?
Alex: It’s really important to remember intersectionality. If we are celebrating Black history, include LGBTQIA+ black historical figures – if we are discussing disabled people, remember that people can be LGBTQIA+ and disabled. We endeavour to do this in the queer community as well, and want to celebrate LGBTQIA+ people who have intersecting marginalised identities.
Kit: In general, make sure you're paying attention – for the bad news as well as the good. Celebrate the wins, and mourn the losses with us.
Big up your LGBTQIA+ friends! Even the tiniest of accomplishments can matter hugely.
For OU students in particular, come to OU Pride events! We welcome allies always. We have a wide range of events, so even if writing isn't your thing, maybe you'd enjoy making a drag bonnet, or carving a love spoon, or even just having a natter about nothing in particular (sometimes our chats get very silly).
Has society changed for the better? What work is there still to do?
Alex: I think regardless of how society has changed for the better, there is not true equality for LGBTQIA+ people in the UK. Just as an example, as a non-binary person with certain health conditions, I can’t access IVF, I can’t get married (I would have to marry as a man, or a woman), I can’t get ID that reflects my gender, and I can’t get my birth certificate revised to reflect my gender. Not only are we faced within actions about these issues, we are met with disbelief in both our experiences and our gender or sexualities validity. We are asked to tolerate views that in 50 years’ time will seem as horrifying as what was said about gay men in the 80s. There is a lot of work to do at the moment, and there will always be work to do.
Kit: Things have definitely changed for the better. The fact that people are, in general, free to be out and proud is brilliant. We have many more rights than we had in the past. But we cannot be complacent. Trans rights are suffering a huge rollback currently, with the UK backsliding on its responsibilities. We can't let this happen. We have to stay strong and committed to justice – and we have to stick together.
Trans rights are being used as a wedge issue for those who want us all to go away. Everyone who is a threat to their power – that's you – use your power for good. Support your LGBTQIA+ friends and family, because we can't do this alone. We need you.