The University of Worcester will be demonstrating its commitment to inclusion and equality as it supports Worcestershire Pride this weekend.

Pro Vice Chancellor for Students, Ross Renton, is to take part in and speak at the first Pride Parade through Worcester on Saturday (22nd September), while the pride flag will be flying at the University’s St John’s Campus and new Art House in the City throughout the weekend.

“We are proud to support this event and the wider LGBT+ community, reaffirming our commitment as a University to inclusion and equality,” said Mr Renton.  “This is reflected in the diversity of our 10,000 students and staff and in the recent launch of our Transgender Education and Support Programme.”

The 12-month pilot Transgender Education and Support Programme aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding of staff and students in relation to gender, transgender and transphobia. 

“There is a famous quotation that ‘the price of liberty is eternal vigilance’, which is why events like this are so important in demonstrating as a community our commitment to equality and to challenging intolerance,” added Mr Renton

The parade, which starts at 1pm, from Cathedral Square, marks the end of a five-day arts festival being held in the City. The ‘Out in the Shires’ festival, showcasing the work of LGBT+ artists from rural communities, is run by alumni and staff of the University.

Alongside other events on Saturday, there will be a literature tent, sponsored by the University of Worcester, from 2pm at South Parade, near Worcester Bridge, featuring local poets and a presentation on Malvern based author, Radclyffe Hall, who wrote the ground-breaking lesbian novel ‘The Well of Loneliness’.

For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk