Tuesday 01-02-2022 - 11:15

Our Progress Pride flag from our Pride Week display in the Hub has once again been removed.

 

This morning (Tuesday 1 February) at around 09:50, an individual approached our display, cut the Progress Pride flag down, folded it up and left with the flag still in hand. We were unable to recover the flag from the individual.

 

We have multiple eyewitnesses of the incident and we have captured video and images of the individual responsible on CCTV. The person responsible will be disciplined appropriately for vandalism of Students' Union property.

 

This behaviour is unacceptable. We do not tolerate hate speech or discrimination of any kind, and these bigoted views towards the LGBTQ+ community are not welcome on campus. Incidents like this highlight the significance of Pride and its necessity more than 60 years on from its inception.

 

Rhiannon Muise, FAS Student Engagement Officer, said: "Disgraced, disgusted, and genuinely ill to my stomach to the point I cried.

 

"I find it beyond disgusting that someone took down the Pride flag, especially during Pride Week here at EHSU.

 

"The Pride flag represents the diversity of LGBTQ+ community. This week is their week. Straight and cisgender people have never had to fight for their right to love or to get married. The LGBTQ+ community have had to fight just to be who they are, to love, to openly express themselves.

 

"Unfortunately, we live in a society where they are still individuals who are homophobic.

 

"So, to all Edge Hill students, wave your Pride flags bigger and prouder - not only in Pride week, but everyday of your life. It is so important that we continue the fight for equality."

 

Tearing down our flag will not stop Pride. The LGBTQ+ community will not be silenced.

 

If you have been affected by this incident, or wish to report a hate crime, contact the Advice Centre via email: suadvice@edgehill.ac.uk.