In aid of LGBTQAI+ History Month, Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union has joined efforts with Cornwall Pride to celebrate 51 years since the Stonewall riots.
A 40-metre flag was erected in the university cafeteria and will stay there throughout February.
Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, leader of Cornwall Pride, said: “To see our Cornwall Pride flag put up on Penryn Campus is an incredible sign of solidarity and true relationships."
The two organisations are launching their collaborative relationship with the Student Union’s SEXhibition; an event dedicated to educating students about healthy sex and relationships, as well as a club night event hosted by the Stannary Bar, aptly named ‘Love is Love’.
Allie Guy, SU Welfare & Inclusivity President, said: ‘We hope that this is just the beginning of a great relationship between The SU and Cornwall Pride. There are plans to involve Cornwall Pride in our Freshers’ events in the coming years too. We are confident that this collaboration will help to strengthen our student community and spread the message that everyone is welcome here.”
Matthew added: “We are excited and honoured to be partnered with the Students’ Union in support of their SEXhibiton event.
“It is important to recognise what has happened in our LGBTQ+ history, how far we have come, and how much there is still left to do. To celebrate and support this on Valentine's Day is a true and beautiful representation of Love is Love.”
Cornwall Pride will also be hosting their own events; Pride fundraising Gala May 16th, Pride Bus tour of Cornwall June 12th & 13th, Cornwall Pride celebrating Pride over three-days on August bank holiday 28th 29th 30th.
As part of their LGBTQAI+ History Month programme, the Students’ Union will also be hosting Jamie Windust, the Editor-in-Chief of award-winning LGBTQAI+ magazine Fruitcake, who will be talking about responsible representation of diversity in Higher Education.
The Voices project, an initiative started by the Students’ Union, will also be publishing their 13th magazine edition, all about gender and sexual orientation, at the end of the month. You can read last year’s Pride edition at www.thesu.org.uk/voices