LTE Group celebrates Pride 2020
Despite the Manchester Pride Festival 2020 being postponed until next year, LTE Group 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 Group would be preparing to take part in the Manchester Pride Parade alongside colleagues from The Manchester College, UCEN Manchester, Novus, MOL and Total People.
In previous years, colleagues and students have helped plan, organise and decorate the parade. Though that’s not possible this year, the Group will be reflecting on why Pride is so important and looking back at previous years’ celebrations.
The Group will be embracing this year’s would-be theme, March of Peace, by linking arms with colleagues and promoting the iconic rainbow as a sign of our commitment to equality and diversity, particularly in education.
Amanda Sillett, Head of Student Support, Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity at The Manchester College and UCEN Manchester said: “In 2019, over 14,000 people took part in the parade including and over 25,000 spectators filled the streets with rainbow colours and glitter. It really is an incredible event to be part of.
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.”
Sarah Hartley, Operational Lead for Creative Arts, Enrichment and Families for Novus said: “Working in partnership with Pride in Prison and Probation on the Pride events over the last few years has been great in enabling new opportunities for learners to participate in. Outcomes have been fantastic, imaginative and of a high standard!
“Over the years, working in this way and contributing to Pride has enabled conversations within the prison setting, which has helped to dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups, and has supported greater understanding around cultural diversity and respect.”
Joanna Moonan, Operations Director at MOL and Total People, said: “Pride for me represents how far we have come and how long the journey still is. I celebrate Pride because as a mother of two LGBT+ adults, I want the world they live in to be safe, open and free from discrimination. These are better times than what has gone before but there is still so much more left to do. For me, Pride is about recognising that Love is Love.
“This year, I’ll be reflecting on the challenge presented by intersectionality, especially in the light of the Black Lives Matter movement, and how important it is that we listen and are prepared to learn, change and bring about equality.”
In light of the postponement of this year’s festival, you can still support the Manchester Pride charity here.