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The Manchester College Manchester Pride 2019

The Manchester College celebrates Pride 2020

Despite the Manchester Pride Festival 2020 being postponed until next year, The Manchester College is proud to celebrate equality and inclusivity for all.

Festival organisers postponed this year’s celebrations due to Covid-19 but have made a commitment to deliver on their exciting plans for 2021, which they say will be a celebration to remember of LGBT+ life in Manchester.

Usually, the College would be preparing to take part in the Manchester Pride Parade alongside our LTE Group colleagues from UCEN Manchester, Novus, MOL Learn and Total People. 

Principal Lisa O’Loughlin said: “On behalf of The Manchester College and UCEN Manchester, I’d like to wish everybody a very Happy Pride. 

"We’re always proud to support the LGBT community and while our staff and students are disappointed that we can’t take part in a parade this year, we will be joining the rest of Manchester by celebrating in our own way, while keeping our communities safe. 

We are committed to building a future where the LGBT community can live, love and learn without prejudice and we can’t wait to be back on our float in the parade for next year’s celebrations.

In previous years, colleagues and students have helped plan, organise and decorate the parade. Though that’s not possible this year, we will be reflecting on why Pride is so important and looking back at previous years’ celebrations. 

Amanda Sillett, Head of Student Support, Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity at The Manchester College and UCEN Manchester said: “For a number of years, staff and students have taken part in Manchester Pride, showcasing our amazing outfits, #exclusivelyinclusive logo t-shirts and our magnificent sparkly decorated float. In 2019, over 14,000 people took part in the parade and over 25,000 spectators filled the streets with rainbow colours and glitter. It really is an incredible event to be part of. 

This year due to the pandemic, Manchester Pride is postponed until 2021, as the most important thing is the safety and wellbeing of staff, students and our communities.

“Manchester Pride is our opportunity to promote LGBT+ rights and challenge all forms of prejudice and discrimination. We will continue to promote all aspects of equality and inclusion and promises to educate against all forms of hate and discrimination. 

“Please look out for our logos turning rainbow during the weekend of what would have been Pride 2020.  We look forward to being part of Manchester Pride 2021. It will doubtless be bigger and better than ever.”

In light of the postponement of this year’s festival, you can still support the Manchester Pride charity here