Sparsholt College has proudly celebrated lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary and queer (LGBTQ+) culture and experiences through a vibrant series of activities, including our annual Pride Parade. Unity was felt campus-wide as students and staff came together to enjoy another successful celebration of Pride Month.
Pride Month offers an opportunity for the community to reflect on all the ways they can contribute to fostering a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for all LGBTQ+ students and staff.
Each year this event continues to grow continues to grow, as subject areas across Sparsholt College design their own floats for the parade. Huge amounts of creativity and effort go into bringing these floats to life, each one sharing a unique theme and heartfelt message celebrating love in all its forms. Following deliberation and judging by a staff panel, the Animal Management team were crowned winners. Their float showcased the animal kingdom, highlighting that non-heteronormative behaviour has been reported in more than 1,500 animal species. With a strong commitment to sustainability, much of their float was made from recycled materials – from their Giant Pacific ‘Tablecloth’ Octopus to their ‘Umbrella’ jellyfish. Second place was awarded to the Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering departments, who crafted a wonderful float including tractors adorned with colourful inclusion flags, rainbows and lights. A cheerful cardboard cow added charm to the display. Their message highlighted the challenges which LGBTQ+ farmers face, including social pressures and discrimination that other farmers may not face. Young farmers are changing history by being inclusive allies and championing individuality within the industry. The Foundation department secured third place with their innovative PRIDE Train float. Each carriage reflected the individuality of our learners’ range of diverse paths – all coming together to form one unified train. A powerful reminder that despite our differences, we are all part of one supportive and inclusive family.
The Sustainability Award was presented to the Arboriculture, Forestry and Horticulture departments, who represented the LGBTQ+ community through their focus on individuality and the importance of celebrating everyone’s differences across all their industries. Their float showcased their Valtra tractor and loader trailer with a selection of sustainably sourced timber, decorated with environmentally friendly marker paints.
Students also explored several stalls where they could get their face painted by the Andover and Sparsholt Wellbeing Teams and explore engaging reading materials at the library stall. Throughout the event, students benefited from insightful talks from organisations such as Trans Pride Winchester, Breakout Youth, and Hampshire Police on behalf of LAGLO (Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers), who all shared useful resources and tips on how to be a supportive ally. Attendees also enjoyed a wonderful performance from Andover College’s (part of Sparsholt College Group) dance students.
Liz Wilson, Assistant Principal – Student Experience, said: “It has been amazing to see how Pride at Sparsholt has grown over the past five years. One of our external stallholders perfectly captured what makes the event so special: It is not just LGBTQ+ students celebrating Pride, but the whole college community coming together and recognising the importance of allyship.”
If you’re excited to see what your time at Sparsholt College could be like – Book your place at our next Open Event.