Reading Pride 2023 needs you

The University of Reading and Reading Students’ Union will be returning to Reading Pride this year, and volunteers are needed to help make the day a success. 

Reading Pride’s Love Unites Parade and Festival 2023 will be held on Saturday 2 September 2023 at King’s Meadow, Reading.

Volunteers are wanted to represent the University’s LGBTQIA+ communities in several important roles on the day:

• Support for the UoR stall
• Photography and videography for our UoR LGBTQIA+ archives (experience required)
• Face painting and glitter support at the UoR stall (experience required)
• Representing UoR in the Reading Pride Parade (bring your best signs and chants)

The parade leaves Reading Station at 10:45 and arrives at Kings Meadow at around 12:00. The festival hosts a range of activities and entertainment with something for everybody, including live entertainment from cabaret and drag, music, comedians, games and karaoke, as well as a range of food and drink options.

Over 13,000 people took part last year, making it the biggest Pride event ever hosted in the town.

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill in the online form by Friday 25 August 2023.

If you have any questions, please email the Diversity and Inclusion Team at diversity@reading.ac.uk.

A new name for your Staff Network

The LGBT+ Staff Network will be changing its name to reflect the diversity of its membership and our university community.

From September 2023, the Network will be called the University of Reading LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, with a new logo and new merchandise, but the same friendly, supportive and connected feel. The rebranding of the network was inspired by discussions within the LGBTQIA+ Action Group and Community.

The new name includes the following gender and sexual identities: Lesbian; Gay; Bisexual; Transgender; Queer or Questioning; Asexual, Agender or Ally; with the + symbol representing further queer identities. The new logo will also feature the updated Pride flag which is inclusive of the Intersex symbol.

The Network co-chairs are Dr Ruvi Ziegler and Ms Tahlia-Rose Virdee. Ruvi has been a co-chair for the LGBTQIA+ Staff Network since 2019 and has supported it in all endeavours during this time, including the coordination of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphopia and Transphobia and LGBT+ History Month Initiatives across campus.

Tahlia (Taz) has been a co-chair for the network since March 2023, joining to ensure that LGBTQIA+ postgraduate and research students are represented and advocated for by the network.

The work of the network is also supported by Lead Ally Michael Kilmister, who has been leading the allyship initiatives of the network since 2021, including providing allyship training and advice.

As the Network expands and membership grows, the co-chairs want to ensure that LGBTQIA+ colleagues and friends find community, advocacy and a celebration of sexual orientation and gender identity in all its forms.

Alongside the rebrand of the LGBTQIA+ Network, Ruvi, Tahlia and Michael invite questions, comments and support to assist us in improving the experience of LGBTQIA+ persons and allies across campus.

To join the LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, become involved in the LGBTQIA+ Action Group, or provide feedback, please email lgbtplus@reading.ac.uk.