College of Science Pride Celebration Event 2023
Posted 15 June 2023
UCD College of Science got Pride month off to an incredible start with a well-attended Pride Celebration event on Thursday 1 June. Filling the ground floor of Science East in the UCD O’Brien Centre for Science with rainbow bunting and balloons, the event celebrated the inclusion and achievements of LGBTQIA+ students and staff in the College. The event also served as a reminder of the work still to be done with calls for increased solidarity amongst the UCD community.
College Principal, Professor Jeremy Simpson spoke at the event to acknowledge the key role played by LGBTQIA+ staff and students in creating the welcoming culture of the College, and the supports available to them on campus.
Professor Jeremy Simpson photographed at the UCD College of Science Pride event
Dr Niamh Nestor, co-Chair of UCD’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network and EDI LGBTQIA+ Subgroup, followed Prof. Simpson with a rousing speech highlighting her own sense of Pride at seeing those in the College come together to create LGBTQIA+ inclusive spaces on campus. Dr Nestor used her speech to remind us of the origins of Pride events worldwide and in Ireland as a protest that must continue to push for full equality for all LGBTQIA+ people. In particular, Dr Nestor highlighted the urgent need to show solidarity with trans individuals and other marginalized LGBTQIA+ people in the face of current resistances to recent advances in LGBTQIA+ equalities.
Dr Niamh Nestor speaking at the UCD College of Science Pride event
Dr Nestor’s speech ended with a recognition of the love that could be felt in the room. Those in attendance enjoyed teas, coffees, cupcakes, and a massive Pride cake specially designed for the College of Science. Rainbow flags, wristbands, and stickers were quickly snapped up, with other attendees creating their own Pride gear at a craft table kindly ran by UCD Purl Jam. Feedback from attendees has been highly positive. The success of the event builds on the success of a similar event for Pride month 2022, and UCD College of Science is committed to building on this further with more LGBTQIA+ initiatives in the upcoming academic year. LGBTQIA+ students, staff members, and allies are also invited to march alongside the UCD staff and student LGBTQIA+ societies in the Dublin Pride parade on 24 June.
From left to right: Dr Gary Brennan, Dr Niamh Nestor, Dr Andrew McCartan, Bairbre Fox
Article by Andrew McCartan, UCD College of Science EDI Committee
Event Acknowledgements: Bairbre Fox (UCD School of Physics), Dr Andrew McCartan (UCD College of Science), Dr Gary Brennan (UCD School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science), Associate Professor Catherine Mooney (Vice Principal for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, UCD College of Science), Dr Niamh Nestor, (co-Chair of UCD’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network and EDI LGBTQIA+ Subgroup), Professor Jeremy Simpson (College Principal & Dean, UCD College of Science)