June – Our LGBTQI+ community

June is Pride Month, and we marked this with a month-long celebration of our fantastic LGBTQI+ students and advocates, past and present.

Mark, a member of OU Pride, shared his experiences as a member of OU Pride as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations.

Pride at the Students Association: Mark's story

Annual events such as Pride month usually accompany performative activism. Eesha, BAME Change and Awareness Officer, discussed what more needs to be done to support minorities throughout the year.

Celebrating Pride Month and avoiding performative activism

In honour of Pride Month, student Kaitlin Webster compiled a brilliant list of TV shows, books and films that represent the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride TV shows, books and movies to watch

In this article, the Chair of OU Pride, Lyndsay Thompson, details the history of Pride and why it is essential for the LGBTQI+ community and activists across the world.

Why we have Pride and why it is still so important!

June's episode of The Association Conversation Station is a celebration of all things Pride, and how the Association has developed a wonderful space for the LGBTQIA+ community (particularly with our support group, OU Pride)! Have a listen below, and hear from Graham Rimmer (co-founder and first Chair of OU Pride – known at the time as PLEXUS), Alex Phennah (who also co-founded OU Pride) and Lyndsay Thomson (current Chair of OU Pride).

The Association Conversation Station – Episode 3

OU Pride took over our Twitter account on Tuesday 21 June – catch the highlights below:

Life is full of coincidences… Three years after the @OpenUniversity received its Royal Charter in 1969, the @OUstudents Association was founded in 1972, the same year as the first official UK #Pride rally with @PrideInLondon.https://t.co/nM25oASNI4
— OU Students (@OUstudents) June 21, 2022

A question I’ve been asked a few times recently is “How did you discover @OU_Pride?” so I thought, while I have access to 31k followers, I’d let you know..!

I found @OU_Pride from a forum discussion, where there was a lively debate around #inclusivity and the words we use.
— OU Students (@OUstudents) June 21, 2022

If you’re unsure how to find @OU_Pride, you can check us out on Twitter, on Facebook, via the @OUstudents association page below,
or through the @OpenUniversity forum.

Join us in whatever way works for you.https://t.co/Ir7YiPnkrh pic.twitter.com/ZxEQDJsfBs
— OU Students (@OUstudents) June 21, 2022

Another question I get asked is “What is it like being a part of OU Pride?”

For me, it’s a real honour to represent our diverse student community, celebrate our achievements and connect with one another.

Studying remotely needn’t mean studying in isolation. pic.twitter.com/V2rRzik9G3
— OU Students (@OUstudents) June 21, 2022

And remember if you’re studying with the @OpenUniversity, you are not alone. There’s a massive @OUstudents community waiting to support you.

For our #LGBTQIA+ community, friends and allies, join us at @OU_Pride.

Now I have to run, but I have the @jammiedodgers so… #win pic.twitter.com/dd6jlBZQjL
— OU Students (@OUstudents) June 21, 2022