Unite Students is headline sponsor of Bristol Pride for 4th year
8 September 2020
Bristol Pride goes digital for our fourth year as headline sponsor
This year marks the fourth consecutive year Unite Students has proudly been the headline sponsor of Bristol Pride.
We encourage our staff and students from all over the UK to get involved with their local Pride organisations to show support and solidarity for our LGBT colleagues, customers and the wider community. There’s Room for Everyone at Unite Students.
John Blanshard, Chief Customer Officer at Unite Students said:
“We know the celebrations take on a different format this year but our commitment to the Bristol Pride festival remains the same. Moving the events online is a fantastic way for our vibrant city to highlight diversity and inclusion in the most positive way.
“Fostering environments where people feel not just accepted, but valued for their difference, is central to making our employees and students feel safe and secure. Creating those communities has always been important to us and as a responsible business we’ll continue to listen and challenge ourselves to provide the most inclusive environments possible.”
Some of our colleagues from across the UK have contributed to this year’s virtual Pride Parade
Due to COVID-19, Bristol Pride has had to go ‘digital’ this year in aid of keeping everyone safe, but there is still plenty to get involved with online. Bristol Pride Online is hosting 12 days of virtual events, shared via their YouTube channel, from the 1st to the 12th September – with Saturday 12th being Virtual Pride Day streamed live from The Downs in Bristol.
We are encouraging our colleagues to get involved with these events, and you can too! Sign up to their newsletter and keep an eye on their Facebook events page, as well as the events page on their website. You can also read their Festival Guide.
Here’s a round-up of all the events to look forward to:
1 Sept @ 7.30pm: Kick off
The events kicked off on Tuesday 1 September with a special Sing Out For Bristol Pride Online performance involving 90 minutes of entertainment from four LGBT+ musical acts – including Bristol Gay Men’s Chorus & Bashema in videos recorded during lockdown.
3 Sept @ 7.30pm: Trans Pride
In a series of interviews and videos, this event covers topics ranging from neurodiversity and popular culture, to gender euphoria and coming out later in life. You can view this session here to hear from a wide range of trans people about their lives, experiences, and what we can all do to support trans rights.
4 Sept @ 7.30pm: Poetry
Milk Poetry brought together a number of incredible acts to present a special Pride poetry night, all available here.
5 Sept @ 10am: Family Day
The same joy and excitement usually found in the Family Area at the festival, but from the safety of your own home. The day included Bath-based playmakers SuperPirates, Miss Disney and Drag Queen story time.
5 Sept @ 10am: Online Gaming Day
A day-long online gaming event that brought gamers together – we saw Mario Kart matches, Jack Box Party and even a Pride Dungeons and Dragons session! You can still watch the events here.
6 Sept @ 11am: Dog Show
A favourite event from Pride each year, where people have been submitting photos of their dogs for the categories from July (submissions now closed).
6 Sept @ 6pm: BAME performance and panel
Working with local BAME LGBT+ groups, Pride Online shared performances from House of Mannington, and a panel of voices from across the LGBT+ BAME community, discussing challenges, success and the importance of raising voices and supporting the community.
8 Sept @ 7.30pm: Theatre
Based upon interviews with queer women in Trinidad & Tobago, this is a specially commissioned piece that explores the topic of coming out in a homophobic culture.
9 Sept @ 7am and 8pm: Wellbeing Day
An online wellbeing activity focussing on queer yoga and meditation tasters.
12 Sep: Pride Day
11am: Virtual Parade
Showcasing all the amazing submissions from the public to be part of the online parade – look out for uS!
1pm: Main Show
A flavour of what you could have seen on The Downs, with performances from across the festival stages and archive footage from Pride 2019 and 2018.
7pm: After Party
Clubnights DTYM and Grrrrl Crush bring together local LGBT+ DJs and talent for a Pride Afterparty to keep you going into the evening.
From everyone at Unite Students across the UK, we wish you a Happy Pride!