The United Colleges Group has celebrated the start of Pride month 2021 by painting the staircases at both its colleges with the rainbow flag colours.

The flag, a prominent symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community’s pride and accomplishments, has been chosen to reflect the commitment to equality and the stance against bigotry embraced by both colleges.

Both College of North West London and City of Westminster College are proud of their diverse student communities and are proud to stand alongside their LGBTQIA+ communities during pride month.

Pride month is celebrated in June each year and offers the chance for members of sexual and gender minorities to come together and celebrate their achievements in liberation, community, and civil rights.

The celebration can be traced back as far as the Stonewall Riots, after which the first pride march was established, and has since grown to become a worldwide celebration of freedom, diversity, and inclusion.

The attractive new staircase decorations form part of the college group’s acknowledgement and support of pride month, with other events planned for later in June.

The United College Group wishes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, both on its campuses and further afield, a happy, rewarding, and nourishing pride month and looks forward to continuing to celebrate with them throughout June.

Stephen Davis, Group Principal of the United Colleges Group, said:

“Our LGBTQIA+ staff and students are a vital part of our community and we are proud to stand with them throughout pride month.

“Pride is not simply a celebration but an opportunity to pause, reflect, and assess how we can better support and stand alongside those who continue to face discrimination based on who they are.

“On behalf of both City of Westminster College and the College of North West London, I would like to send a message to our LGBTQIA+ community; you are valued, important, and accepted here and please enjoy Pride 2021, however you are celebrating it.”