National Student Pride, now in its 11th year, is back in London! *Fires Glitter Cannon* *Reloads*. And QX Magazine are proud media partners for this inimitable bonanza of queerdom. *Fires Glitter Cannon*.
This weekend sees the return of National Student Pride to London for its 11th year. Hosted at the University of Westminster’s Marylebone campus and the infamous G-A-Y night clubs, this year the event’s main focus is tackling the vital but difficult conversation of mental health stigma.
The free daytime festival that takes place on the Saturday will also have panels with celebrities, activists and politicians with RUComingOut.com, looking at angles of coming out you might not have thought of. There’s also a team of LGBT YouTubers lining up to discuss the impact of the platform on changing perceptions and giving hope to young people.
Then of course there’s StudentPride does Lip Sync. Plus cabaret, live music and you can even bag yourself a job at the biggest LGBT careers fair in the UK.
“National Student Pride is always an amazing experience,” says Hatti Smart, National Student Pride co-chair. “We have over 1500 LGBT students come together for a weekend of events, including the largest LGBT careers fair in the UK, exclusive film screenings, and panels that discuss topics important to LGBT youth.
“This year, National Student Pride will be placing a real emphasis on mental health, with mental health issues still affecting LGBT youth disproportionately to their peers.
This is something am I really excited about, as mental health is a topic very close to my heart. We will be holding a mental health discussion, chaired by editor of Attitude magazine Matthew Todd, which will provide real-life experiences and expertise to all those on the LGBT spectrum.”
The daytime festival on Saturday 6th February will be held at the University of Westminster’s Marylebone campus, where over 1500 LGBT students from across the UK will be taking part in a weekend of festivities.
The focus of this year’s event is on the difficult, but vital discussion of mental health, which disproportionately affects LGBT people. The mental health debate will be hosted by Matthew Todd, editor of Attitude Magazine, who will provide real-life experiences and expertise.
Joining him on the panel will be: Johnny Benjamin, known for the #FindMike campaign and for his brave documentaries and accounts about his schizophrenia; Taz Edwards-White (LBQ), mental health coordinator for LGBT people for Metro; Bisi Alimi, World renowned Nigerian LGBT activist who has written and spoke openly about his time with HIV and Mental Health issues; and Munroe Bergdorf, Trans advocate and DJ.
The Coming Out discussion, in conjunction with the Rainbow List high flyer Wayne Dhesi’s R U Coming Out website, will be a panel focused on challenging the idea that coming out is only synonymous with being gay. It’s so much more now, whether it’s about gender identity of being a secret luster for Justin Bieber. We know you looked at those pics. *clears internet history*
“We have over 1500 LGBT students come together for a weekend of events.”
Celebrating Coming Out even further, Tom Dingley’s widely celebrated Coming Out photography series will be on display at the event too. He’ll even be offering the opportunity for you to take part too.
In a new addition to National Student Pride, a fringe event will take place alongside the main stage and LGBT YouTubers have been lining up to come and share what they think their impact has been on shaping our community as our daily online time grows and grows. Chaired by, Calum McSwiggan, on the panel includes Meredith and Shoshana, Mawaan Rizman (How Gay Is Pakistan BBC3 Documentary), Jamie Raines (Selfie A Day Transition), and Riyad K (known for reading out Grindr messages with his Mum).
To provide a ‘Mental Health Trigger free zone’ at all times at the event, a Safe Space room will be provided all day and whenever a mental health topic is discussed the other stage will avoid discussion of mental health.
Finally, the daytime event will end on a huge high as the Warwick Rowers return to talk about the charity they launched at our event in 2014; Sports Allies. Followed by what will be the most tasteful and least camp part of the whole weekend: a #StudentPride lip sync battle.
Because if Channing Tatum and Anne Hathaway can do it – they definitely can. Oh and on Saturday night there will be a G-A-Y Scream Queens Party at Heaven, where there’s £2.50 drinks deals to all those wearing a wristband (you can also get two nights out at heaven and G-A-Y late for just £5).
• 5th-7th February. The event is open to all – Not just students . Club Night tickets £5 www.studentpride.co.uk/tickets
Weekend Planner
Friday
7-11pm: G-A-Y Late Registration welcome drinks. Free entry with NSP Wristband + Drinks deals) 1st opportunity to pick up wristbands.
11-Late: G-A-Y Heaven welcome party (Free entry with NSP Wristband + Drinks deals).
Saturday
12:30: Event at University of Westminster, opposite Baker Street, opens. Careers fair and performance stage kicks off straight away. 2nd opportunity to pick up wristbands, registration desk open until 4pm.
1:30pm: Main Stage Opens.
2pm: R U Coming Out Panel with Adele Roberts and Jaymi from Union J.
3pm: Mental Health Debate with Jonny Benjamin, Bisi Alimi and Munroe Bergdorf.
3pm: LGBT YouTubers room opens.
4pm: Polarised LGBT Mental Health Documentary plays in YouTube room
4pm: Warwick rowers on main stage.
4:15: Lip Sync For Your Life, with Alaska Thunderfuck and James Barr.
5pm: Daytime festival winds down.
6pm-12pm: SHE Soho and Planet London host Womens/LBQ safe space pre-drinks for weekend.
10pm-Late: G-A-Y vs NSP Scream Queens party at Heaven: Make sure you have your wristband by this point, you cannot pick them up at heaven.
Sunday
11:30pm: Baggage Drop.
12:30pm: Screening of Milk £3.50.
2:30pm: Q&A with Stuart Milk, included in price of ticket.
Careers Fair
Another aspect of National Student Pride is the careers fair, now the largest LGBT student Careers Fair in the UK. Fujitsu, the Royal Navy, the RAF, Ditch The Label, PwC and Teach First are just some of the 30+ organisations already signed up, and it’s expected to exceed last year’s roster of 50.
Follow @StudentPride on Twitter for more big announcements.
ALASKA 5000 To Host and Judge Lip Sync
Hugely successful RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Alaska 5000 is set to don the judge’s cap, as she oversees an epic Lip Sync Battle at National Student Pride on Saturday 6th February at the University of Westminster, Marylebone. The battle will follow on from the earlier panel discussions on Coming Out, YouTube and Mental Health to provide a light-hearted way to close the daytime activities.
Those wanting to apply to take part in the Lip Sync Battle should e-mail [email protected] for further details. The most creative and exciting lip syncs pitched to the organisers will be chosen to perform for Alaska on the day.
