Huge turnout for UoB Pride celebrations in Birmingham

Our city is known for having one of the UK’s largest and most diverse LGBTQ+ scenes, where Birmingham Pride has become a popular and important festival in the calendar.

Over 800 students, staff, and alumni gathered together for the parade and marched through the city centre to celebrate love and commemorate LGBTQ+ struggles and history.

Starting from The Exchange in Centenary Square, it was a great party atmosphere as we made our way through the streets of Brum proudly holding up our rainbow flags and cheering at the top of our lungs.

Our Student Content Shaper Arianna Petrelli was there as a member of the community and to capture the festivities for our student comms channels including Instagram. Keep an eye out for her vlog on our Student Services YouTube channel. 

Here's what Arianna had to say: "It was incredible to see all the love and support surrounding the parade. It made me emotional, especially seeing families bringing their kids, or grandparents with their grandchildren. It makes you feel loved and seen, from both inside and outside the community".

This year, members and allies could join other UoB college or department parade teams or march alongside the UoB and Guild of Students joint team. Similarly, to previous years, UoB also marched alongside colleagues and friends from Aston University, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham, Newman University and University of Wolverhampton as part of the ‘UNIfied at Pride’ team.

Following the parade, students joined us at our very own stall at the Village Street Party where they could recharge before continuing the party.

UoB has been marching the annual pride parade through the streets of Birmingham since 2017, and we look forward to continuing to come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ equality with you all next year too – watch this space!