NEWS Last year, Umeå University participated for the first time as an official part of the Pride parade in Umeå. This year, the commitment has developed into an entire Pride week in rainbow colours, with everything from lunch lectures to craft workshops and Pride coffee.
Umeå University works for equal rights and opportunities for all, and against all forms of discrimination. The Student Health Service at Umeå University is also an LGBTQI-certified organisation according to RFSL guidelines. These values are of great importance all year round, but in connection with the Umepride event, the university takes the opportunity to show it a little extra.
In autumn 2024, Umeå University participated for the first time as an official part of the Pride parade in Umeå, where both students and staff marched in the large parade. We are doing the same this year, and our commitment is expanding into a whole week of events: Pride on campus, 22–26 September.
Jenny Saba Persson, coordinator of working environment and equal conditions for students, at the Student Services Office.
ImageHans Karlsson“Standing up for equal rights for all is particularly important in times when these rights are increasingly being called into question. It is so wonderful to see the great commitment and willingness to come together around Pride on campus. Working together on important issues gives us strength and energy in our continued work for equal conditions at Umeå University,” says Jenny Saba Persson, who works with working environment and equal conditions for students, and is involved in coordinating Pride on campus at the Student Services Office.
The programme includes lectures, a craft workshop and general Pride hangouts, all in rainbow colours, of course. There will be opportunities to learn more about minority stress, heteronormativity and tools for creating a good working environment for LGBTQI people, as well as just meeting up and socialising. In addition, rainbow flags will be hoisted at the Umeå University campuses.
In addition to Umeå University's organizers, led by the Student Services Office and the Human Resources Office, the University Chaplaincy, student unions and trade unions are also involved in various ways. All events are free and open to everyone, but some require pre-registration.