By Study Inn
June is here, and that means Pride Month is! This is the perfect time to get involved with your local LGBT community to commemorate Stonewall and to celebrate LGBTQA+ culture and people across the world. At Study Inn, we have pulled together a list of the major upcoming LGBT+ events for this month and later on in the year, as well as some vital support/wellbeing groups, so no matter whether you choose to stay in our deluxe Student Accommodation or not, there’ll hopefully be something near you in our list.
Exeter
Pride may be cancelled in Exeter for 2021, but this doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on during this year for Pride! For those interested in Media and Film, a free conference held at the University of Exeter will examine how LGBTQ+ stories and characters are translated into foreign media and the differences between cultures.
For those who are looking for a lively nightlife (once we can responsibly go out) Exeter has a bustling LGBT-friendly bar and club ‘The Vaults’. If you’re looking for an LGBT community while staying in our new Exeter luxury student accommodation, then the University of Exeter has an LGBTQ+ Student society as well as a staff network so there are plenty of resources and support to hand!
Leeds
Leeds is the perfect destination for dog and nature lovers out there. Although Leeds Pride is cancelled this year, every week there’s an LGBT-safe dog walking group, with a new location each week. You don’t even need to bring your own dog so if you’re missing your furry friend back home this could be a great way to get your fix.
If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, then on the 13th June there will be the Leeds LGBT+ Nature Walkers event, a 10 hour hike through Hollinhurst Woods. Plus, both University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett have comprehensive support groups and communities for their LGBTQ+ students, so if you’re looking to come here in 2022 then our Leeds student accommodation may be perfect for you!
Nottingham
With a vibrant LGBT+ community in Nottingham, Queer Pride (online to protect everyone’s health) from 23rd-25th July is shaping up to be an unmissable event for anyone located in Nottingham. Not only is there an LGBT+ society for the students of the University of Nottingham, but there is also a support/information group (Notts LGBT+ Network) available for non-students too. Our Nottingham luxury student accommodation is perfect for those interested in becoming a student here!
Birmingham
Birmingham also has its own Pride event, from the 25th-26th September, full of speakers, events and music. But if you consider yourself to be a more mindful person, then you may be interested in the LGBT+ inclusive weekly yoga classes. If you’re just looking to meet more people, then on the 11th June there will be the LBTQ+ Women Online Social and on the 18th June the GBTQ+ Men Online Social. Everything doesn’t stop when Pride month is over however, as the Birmingham LGBT Community Group offers year-round support, counseling, health services and social events.
Bristol
Bristol is frequently mentioned in lists for the most LGBT-friendly cities in the UK, and it’s not hard to see why. An unmissable Pride festival spanning 2 weeks, from 3rd-16th July with a main Pride day on the 10th July featuring the Werk It event: an all-day and all-night party with names like Gok Wan and Jodie Harsh collaborating with some of the areas best LGBT groups such as the Bristol Ballroom Community and Shade Cartel.
Bristol is home to a range of LGBT+ bars and clubs so you’ll find something no matter what you like, from cabaret acts at Queenshilling, drag shows and themed parties at the Bristol Bear Club and a more traditional bar/club atmosphere at OMG Club. If you’re more interested in athletic pursuits, then you can find an LGBT+ club for almost any sport, whether you want to join the Bristol Panthers, an LGBT+ friendly football team or go along to the LGBT Badminton club, there’s sure to be something nearby our luxury Bristol student accommodation.
London
As you would expect, London is a hub for LGBT+ events in the UK, with a community for any taste or style along with a huge range of mental and physical healthcare services, counselling, and advice for non-LGBT+ people aiming to create a more inclusive environment.
London Pride will take place later this year in September, but there’s plenty going on for Pride month – for literature lovers, Poetry Pride on the 24th June will be the perfect place for celebrating LGBT+ works. If you’re more musical, then the Queer Musical Theatre one day course on 26th June may be right. There’s sure to be events during Pride and the rest of the year no matter which community you belong to, for example BiFi Festival on the 19th June and Trans Pride on the 26th.
No matter which University you find yourself in there’s sure to be a society for LGBT+ students, including LSE, London Metropolitan, Imperial, UEL and Kings. It’s not only students who can find support however, as groups like London Friend are available to provide advice and support for improving the mental wellbeing of LGBT+ people within London.
Brighton
Brighton is celebrated as being one of the most LGBT+ friendly cities in the UK, and for good reason. Pride may be cancelled this year, but that doesn’t negate the fact that Brighton remains a bastion of LGBT history and tradition. Here you’ll have several LGBT+ bars to choose from, such as Affinity Bar, Bar Revenge and Don’t Tell Mama so you’ll always have somewhere to grab a drink or have a party to go to.
If you’re looking for something more active, then you can check out BLAGSS, which is Brighton’s LGBT Sports Society. Welcome to all levels of fitness and experience, you can be Brighton’s next tennis star, join the football team, have a go at bowling and plenty more.
Brighton is also home to a strong support network with Switchboard, ensuring that the cities’ LGBT community always have the help and advice they need. They also offer training workshops for managers and other professionals looking to improve LGBT inclusion.
Manchester
Manchester, with the famous Gay Village, is a great place to be for LGBT+ students. Here you’ll find all the inclusive bars and clubs you could want, supplemented by an abundance of LGBT+ entertainment, restaurants and events which can be found on the VisitManchester website.
You’ll never run out of things to do here, especially since Pride is taking place 27th-30th August this year. But it’s not limited to just the fun things – Manchester has an LGBT Youth Community group with The Proud Trust, as well as a more general Counselling and health service thanks to the LGBT Foundation, which is National but based in Manchester.
University of Manchester has a vibrant LGBT Society too, so you’ll be sure to have plenty of support during your studies. And be sure you don’t miss out VillagePeopleWeekend from the 30th to the 31st July, which will be an unforgettable party all through the Gay Village.
Norwich
The city of Norwich will be celebrating Pride on Saturday the 31st of July 2021 (mixture of online to ensure people remain safe!) Full listings of events will be released at the end of June and will be able to be found here: https://norwichpride.co.uk/
Leicester
Leicester Pride is taking place on 4th September, 2021! The event this year will be a vibrant march across the city centre, finishing in Victoria Park and followed by a fun-filled festival, suitable for all ages, afterwards. If you’re thinking of attending and are in a group larger than 5, register here: https://www.leicesterpride.com/parade-registration/. And if you’re interested in studying in Leicester next year, we will be opening our deluxe, LGBT-inclusive accommodation here!
Kent (Canterbury)
Canterbury Pride is set to take place on the 11th September, 2021. With a parade through Canterbury high street, followed by entertainment, food and drinks, it’s set to be a fabulous day celebrating the LGBTQA+ community! Find out more, here: https://pridecanterbury.com/
Newcastle
The Northern Pride this year will be taking place virtually on the 24th July, 2021. Gok Wan will join Miss Rory on hosting duties to bring you Pride 2021 in the safest way! This year, they are looking for fresh faces and performers to join the line-up! If you’re interested, you can apply here: https://www.northern-pride.com/ however, if you just want to watch and join in as an attendee, you can register here for updates: https://mailchi.mp/8d5be861219f/np18
