Students invited to celebrate Pride at DMU in 2023

December 22, 2022 by Leave a Comment

By Catarina Quintas

University is the perfect place for students to try to find out who they are and where they belong. To help them, De Montfort University is celebrating pride history month again in 2023.

In February, DMU will be organising a range of events to celebrate Pride History Month.

“I’m happy to see more and more people are starting to accept the fact that you can love whoever you want, regardless of their gender,” said a student who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community who did not want to be named.  

The month of February will have a ‘behind the lens’ theme with the goal to bring acknowledgement to the hard work and contribution that the LGBTQ+ community has put into film and tv programmes.

“I have an interest in seeing films directed by members of the LGBTQ+ community and am glad they are starting to get more recognition for their work,” the student added.

“I am actually looking forward to an entire month dedicated to celebrating this community, I know we have June, but being in a university that makes you feel ok with who you are is a great feeling.”

June is dedicated to celebrating everyone, because love is love and everyone should be proud to love who they love. June is also dedicated to show that being part of the LGBTQ+ community does not define you as good or bad, it defines you as real.

De Montfort University is now looking for alumni who are willing to take part in the organisation of this month and to provide support and or contributions. Whether they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or not, everyone is welcome.

Filed Under: Latest, DMU Pride, Second Year

Transgender day of visibility held at DMU

November 18, 2022 by Leave a Comment

By Em Brooks

De Montfort University and the University of Leicester have combined to offer a Transgender day of remembrance.

The De Montfort students’ union hosted the hour-long vigil today(FRI,Nov18) outside the campus centre in honour of transgender day of remembrance. 

The event aims to remember transgender people who have been lost due to transphobic actions.

It is a day of grief and solemn fortitude for those who have lost loved ones and as a reminder to continue striving for equality and rights for those who relate to the cause. 

The event comes two days earlier than the nationally recognized day of remembrance on the 20th of November and instead takes place within the transgender week of awareness which takes place between the 16th and the 19th of November and aims to spread knowledge and visibility of the various issues of which transgender people are victim to.

Filed Under: DMU Pride, First Year, Latest

Separate but together. De Montfort University keeps the spirit of Pride alive online honouring the idea of connectivity

March 16, 2021 by 1 Comment

By Molly Talbot

De Montfort University celebrated Pride month with a twist last month, after being forced to move online due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Despite being online, organisers tried to stay true to the theme of ‘connectivity’.

This year it was DMU’s seventh Pride celebration and although the start of 2021 was different to what may have been anticipated, the university made a tremendous effort to still make the event inclusive and enjoyable for those getting involved.

About 450 people attended the virtual Pride experience. There were opportunities to attend around 14 different events including, talks, mindfulness sessions and an online quiz.

There was also the addition of virtual Pride backgrounds and the use of filters to create more of a presence since the traditional handing out of T-Shirts and lanyards on campus had to be forfeited.

The chair of the LGBTQ+ network for De Montfort University, Dr Bethan Rogoyski, said: “I think celebrating Pride is of huge importance to the students and staff of DMU.

“The LGBTQ+ community is a huge part of that at DMU, and the Pride celebrations enhance visibility to make sure it’s clear that the LGBTQ+ populations are not only welcomed but valued and celebrated.”

The idea to put Pride online was partly due to the awareness that the lockdowns and following restrictions have had a major impact on the LGBTQ+ community particularly, and hosting the event online created a space for celebration, communication and conversations that are really important factors  of the community.

Dr Rogoyski added: “Whilst we are remote, we are using online spaces to communicate and meet, which has been great for keeping in touch and sharing mutual interests.”

There are several spaces also available at the university campus for members of the LGBTQ+ ( in addition to  any other networks) community to retreat to, such as the “Breathing space” in the Portland building. It is the university’s hope that the communities will feel comfortable using the spaces available – they are always open.

If you missed any of this year’s Pride events they are available for catch-up via the DMU-events YouTube page.

Filed Under: DMU News, DMU Pride, First Year, Latest

DMU Valentine’s Day drag evening a success despite fire alarm scare

February 18, 2020 by 1 Comment

By Adam Rear

The De Montfort Students’ Union hosted a spectacular drag event on Friday (FEB14) which starred celebrity guests, such as Ru Paul’s very own Vinegar Strokes.

The event began shortly after 7pm with the first performer and host of the evening, Reign, warming the crowd.

Reign briefly wore a business suit and black angel wings before wowing the audience with her fishnet bodywear.

Drag artist Reign on stage performing her second lip-sync act

After her singing and lip-syncing, Reign welcomed to the stage the next act, however shortly after making it to the stage, the fire alarm went off.

Those attending the show were ushered urgently out of the building.

When outside, Reign, who stood around 7-feet tall in her large heeled boots, told everyone not to worry as it was the smoke machines that set off the alarm.

Within 10 minutes guests were back inside the building for the entertainment to continue.

Several drag acts followed before the intermission, such as Poppydom, Miceria McCollins and Minnie Milk. After they performed their dance routines, song and lip-syncing performances, the headline act Vinegar Strokes took to the stage.

Vinegar Strokes engaging with audience members in some back-and-forth banter

Vinegar Strokes incorporated elements from Ru Paul’s Drag Show into her routine, such as a lip-sync battle between members of the audience.

First year DMU student, Carmen, said: “I’ve been to drag nights before but this has been the best one yet.

“Ever since the UK Ru Paul Drag Race series came out, I loved how out-there Vinegar Strokes was so I was thrilled to see that she would be performing right on campus.

“Watching drunk audience members lip-sync against each other was one of the best moments of the night as they were so loose on stage.”

Filed Under: Arts & Culture, DMU Pride, Entertainment, Latest, Music, Second Year

De Montfort Students’ Union hosts a ‘Voguing’ workshop for students and staff

February 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment

By Adam Rear

As part of De Montfort University Pride Month, students and staff are being invited to have a go at Voguing.

The DSU Voguing Society welcomes students and staff to join in with their dancing and to spread positivity during Pride Month.

Voguing is a form of dance that pays homage to the Black and Brown queer community, which evolved out of the Harlem ballroom scene of the 1960s.

It gained mainstream media exposure when it was featured in Madonna’s song and video ‘Vogue’.

The event will take place on Friday(FEB21) in the Campus Centre from 12pm till 1pm, with no booking required.

Filed Under: Arts & Culture, DMU Pride, Latest, Local, Second Year, societies
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