Out and proud at the Liverpool Pride Festival
08 September 2011
Staff, students, alumni, straight allies, friends and families joined in Liverpool’s 2nd Gay Pride march.
Liverpool Pride festival was enjoyed by over 40,000 people double the number of the 1st Liverpool Pride in 2010. The March lead by members of murdered teenager Michael Causer’s family, saw 2,500 of the LGBT community flow through the city in a blaze of sound and colour. Numerous organisations including Homes for Everyone, Merseytravel, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, UNISON Northwest took part.
LJMU also took part in the Manchester Pride Parade on Saturday 27th August, marching with Stonewall UK in recognition of our position as number one university in the country for supporting LGBT staff. Meriel Box and Phil Bakstad were joined by Tracey Escolme (President of LSU LGBT Society) for the parade through Manchester city centre, along with representatives from a range of North West organisations involved in the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme. The parade’s theme this year was ‘Best of British’ and was led by comedienne Pam Ann, fresh from her performance onstage in the Gay Village the night before.
Meriel commented: "It was an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues from across the North West and promote the wholly inclusive ethos of the University to a whole new audience."
Photo: Phil Bakstad and Meriel Box pictured with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and other sponsors of the Pride festival at the Liverpool Town Hall following the march.
