Celebrated across the globe, Pride Month sees different communities, cultures, and age groups come together to create a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.
This summer, Ulster University has teamed up with Belfast Pride, Causeway Pride, and Foyle Pride to support PRIDE 2024 across all campus locations to promote LGBT+ inclusion, led by university staff and students.
We are proud of the strides we are making towards fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all our students and staff, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Come along and join us in the celebrations!
Belfast Pride
Belfast Pride takes place from Friday 19 July - Sunday 28 July, with the colourful Parade taking to the city streets on Saturday 27 July at 1pm.
Belfast Pride is the biggest event of the year for LGBTQIA+ people, and 2024 promises to be the biggest parade since it was founded in 1991. Ulster University’s Belfast campus will light up in rainbow colours to mark the celebrations across the weekend.
Everyone is welcome to join us for the parade. Colleagues, students, alumni, family, friends, and allies are all encouraged to meet at our Belfast Campus (BC Foyer) before setting off to join the parade at Custom House Square behind the UU banner, ‘Diverse – Equal – Proud.’ Join us from 10.45am and enjoy some light refreshments and music.
Viewing Gallery
As well as joining the parade, on Saturday 27 July, Ulster University’s state-of-the-art Belfast campus will offer an amazing viewing gallery of the parade as it turns onto Royal Avenue.
The campus will offer ‘a room with a view’ for people with additional access requirements, particularly for neurodivergent individuals who would like to see the parade from a quieter area.
The University’s LGBT Network will be providing complimentary refreshments to those that will be using the space, so no one misses out on the fun.
Find out more information about taking part in the Belfast Pride Parade
Causeway Pride
Heading to the North Coast to continue the celebrations, Ulster University will have a presence at the second-ever Causeway Pride, taking place in the seaside town of Portrush where the streets will once again fill with colour and unity.
Everyone is welcome to join us in parading across the seaside town on Saturday 3 August, meeting at the Portrush Town Square at 1pm.
As a monumental move, last year was the first parade to show public support on the North Coast and event organisers hope it will eventually scale to the size of the Derry pride in years to come, attracting thousands of people.
For more information or to register for Causeway Pride Parade.
Derry~Londonderry~Foyle Pride
As celebrations continue into August, the annual Foyle Pride Festival returns, taking place from Thursday 15 August – Sunday 25 August marking diversity and inclusivity in the heart of Derry~Londonderry city.
The Foyle Pride parade takes place on Saturday 24 August, with the theme for 2024 as Community: Local & Global.
Ulster University colleagues, students, and friends of the University will assemble from 1pm at Waterside Railway Station, to join the Foyle Pride Parade.
For more information or to register for the Foyle Pride Parade.
Nancy Boy Shenanigans at the Playhouse
As part of the variety of events, Nancy Boy Shenanigans will be in Playhouse in Derry~Londonderry on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 August.
Nancy Boy Shenanigans is not your typical Troubles or Gender play; it's a beacon of Resistance Theatre. Kerrigan's powerful storytelling offers a window into the LGBTQAI+ experience of Derry 1970’s onwards through the eyes and ears of a gay Derry man navigating the tumultuous start of a war for basic civil rights, this play is a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and the fight for justice and peace.
This event is being held in Partnership with Ulster University (Derry~Londonderry campus), the School of Arts and Humanities, the University's LGBT+ Staff Network and Dublin Pride.
To book tickets visit The Playhouse Derry- Londonderry - Nancy Boy Shenanigans (derryplayhouse.co.uk). Tickets cost £15 (concession £12).
Ulster University Provost Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan shared her enthusiasm for the Pride events planned said:
“We are delighted to be teaming up with Belfast, Causeway and Foyle Pride festivals this year to show our support and solidarity to the LGBT+ community. We are looking forward to hosting Pride-themed events across the summer.
“Through our LGBTQ+ Network, we are inviting our colleagues, current students, alumni, and family and friends to campus so they can get involved in the activities and share in the joy that is celebrating LGBT+ Pride. At Ulster University, we embrace diversity and celebrate unity and we hope everyone has an enjoyable time at Belfast and Foyle Pride this summer.”
Professor Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said:
"As we celebrate Pride, let us remember that inclusion and acceptance are not just values, but actions. Each of us has the power to make our community a place where everyone can thrive and be themselves. “This Pride month, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with the LGBT+ community, and I would like to invite everyone to take part in the celebrations to make this Pride month a memorable and impactful one. Together, we can show our commitment to ensuring equality for all.”
Ngozi Anyadike-Danes, Chair of the LGBT+ Network, said:
“At Ulster University, we celebrate equality, diversity and inclusivity, and the LGBT+ Staff Network is one avenue through which we can promote and enhance equality and inclusion across all genders and sexualities at the University.
“Pride is focused on promoting the equality, self-affirmation, and visibility of LGBT+ people and I hope people will come along to Pride 2024 and show their support in helping us to create a community and safe space for people to be who they are.”
Find out more
For further details and to register for any of the events, visit Ulster University Pride.