Published: Friday, 4 June 2021

The City Council is flying the rainbow flag for LGBTQIA+ Pride on Saturday 5 June, as Oxford’s Pride celebrations go online for a second year.

LGBTQIA+ people have been particularly affected by the pandemic. Many young people have been locked down with family who do not accept their identity, and have suffered additional mental health pressures as a result. Whether their family is aware of their identity or not, conforming to family prejudices has been a huge burden for these young people.

Oxford City Council’s #WeAreOxford grants have given funding to two LGBTQIA+ programmes: Restore, a local mental health charity to promote LGBTQIA+ inclusion and connections in mental health; and Pink Times / LGBTIQ+ Oxfordshire to provide listings of support and services for the community.

This year’s theme of #InclusionMatters highlights that many in the LGBTQIA+ community have other identities that also matter, and often means they face additional discrimination. Whether that’s racial discrimination, exclusion due to disability, gender or other issues, it’s important that all are recognised and welcomed under the Pride banner.

“It’s great to be celebrating Pride in Oxford. A lot of progress has been made in securing rights for the LGBTQIA+ communities but in day to day life members of this community are still facing a lot of prejudice and bigotry, especially trans people. This is why our #WeAreOxford funding is supporting mental health and information services to help our communities to feel connected and supported, in any challenges they face over their identity.

“This year’s theme of #InclusionMatters calls on us all to check our biases, prejudices and assumptions. Yes you can be black and gay, disabled and trans, or from a faith based community. The Pride banner is for everyone who identifies under it, and everyone who stands in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people and communities."

Councillor Shaista Aziz, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities

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