OXFORD PRIDE

About Us

about oxford pride

Who we are

Oxford Pride is a registered charity run by a dedicated team of volunteers. Membership in Oxford Pride is open to all.

We hold events and collaborate with other organisations throughout the year to create safe, diverse and inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community where everyone feels respected and welcome.

The highlight of the year is the Pride Festival and Pride Day with the Parade making its way through the streets of Oxford.

The events supported or arranged by Oxford Pride promote awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues and lifestyles by providing information, education, and entertainment in a safe and encouraging environment.

Oxford Pride logo with text
Transgender Oxford Pride logo
Pansexual Oxford Pride logo
Oxford Pride logo for Bi-visibility
Live your true colours banner at Oxford Pride Day 2019

oxford pride history

how it all started

In keeping with Oxford’s queer history Oxford Pride celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual people and persons of other sexual orientations, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics in Oxfordshire.

From its first Pride Day on 3 May 2003, it has continued to evolve adding a Parade and Festival throughout the years.

meet our fabulous team

Directors and Trustees

Rob Jordan headshot

Rob Jordan
Chair
he/him

Rowena Holland-Berry
Secretary
she/her

Stephen Chadd
Treasurer
he/him

Matthew Standage
Non-Executive Director
he/him

Nick Blandford headshot

Nick Blandford
Non-executive Director
he/him

Patrons

Sir Ian McKellan headshot

Sir Ian Mckellan CH CBE
Patron
he/him

Angela Eagle headshot

Angela Eagle DBE MP
Patron
she/her

Lord Michael Cashman headshot

Lord Michael Cashman CBE
Patron
he/him

Lord Waheed Ali headshot

Lord Waheed Ali
Patron
he/him

Clare Summerskill headshot

Clare Summerskill
Patron
she/her

Peter Tatchell headshot

Peter Tatchell
Patron
he/him

In memoriam

Paul O’Grady

A long-time patron of this charity. Paul was a familiar face on the drag scene in London during the 80s and a vocal campaigner for LGBTQIA+ and animal rights until his death.

founding members

We are honoured to acknowledge the founding Members of Oxford Pride:

Rob Jordan headshot

Rob Jordan

Chair

he/him

Rob first became involved with Oxford Pride fundraising for the inaugural event, and in the fifth year celebrations served in his first term as Chair.

He rejoined the committee in 2014 as Director and Chair, during this time the event was moved to the Oxford Castle Quarter, bringing the event into the heart of the city.

After a three-year stint Rob, stepped down to pursue other projects. Now one of the owners of the Jolly Farmers, Rob returned to the Committee as Fundraising and Sponsorship Officer in 2022, and in 2024/2025 takes the reigns once again in his third term as Chair.

Rowena Holland-Berr

Secretary

she/her

Hi, I’m Rowena and I’m 36 years old and live in Bicester with my better half (my wife Fiona) and my cheeky (but adorable!) dog called LiL.

I work in Oxford and love this beautiful city because of its diversity and people, its traditions and history, and its progressiveness.

I’m very excited to have the honour of being the Oxford Pride Secretary for the next 2 years and can’t wait to be a part of supporting amazing Pride-led events for the future.

Stephen Chadd

Treasurer

he/him

I’ve lived in Oxfordshire for nearly 25 years. I am studying Primary Education at Oxford Brookes University. I am looking forward to helping shape Oxford Pride for the future.

Matthew Standage

Non-executive Director

he/him

Matthew joined Oxford Pride as a Non-Exec Director in November 2023, having previously served on the committee in 2017-18. He lives in Oxford and has participated in Oxford Pride, as well as others around the country for several years.

Matthew brings over a decade of experience in information technology and user-centred design to the role, as well as experience in teaching and course development.

He is a qualified Scuba Diving instructor and has overseen the instruction of students and diving expeditions both in the UK and Internationally. He also held leadership roles in organisations that support local charities and non-profits.

Matthew hopes to support the committee to ensure the present and future success of Oxford Pride and its charitable objectives.

Nick Blandford headshot

Nick Blandford

Non-executive Director

he/him

Nick joined Oxford Pride as a Non-Exec Director in November 2022. He has worked for the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School since the summer of 2017 where he is part of the University’s LGBTQIA+ group. Nick brings over 30 years of business experience to the role, as well as being a qualified coach and mentor, to provide oversight, governance and support for Oxford Pride’s activities. He strongly believes in people being able to be their authentic selves and to have the right to live in freedom and safety. Nick is a keen gardener, baker, gym goer and cat dad to Tilikum and Eartha Mae.

Sir Ian McKellan headshot

Sir Ian Mckellan CH CBE

Patron

he/him

Sir Ian McKellen CH CBE is an English actor. His career spans six decades, having performed in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Ian has been open about his sexuality since 1988, and continues to champion LGBTQIA+ social movements worldwide.

Angela Eagle headshot

Angela Eagle DBE MP

Patron

she/her

Dame Angela Eagle DBE is a British Labour Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Wallasey since 1992. Eagle was born in Yorkshire and studied PPE at the University of Oxford, before working for the CBI and then a trade union.
Lord Michael Cashman headshot

Lord Michael Cashman CBE

Patron

he/him

Lord Michael Cashman CBE is a British politician, LGBT rights activist and actor. He was a Labour Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands constituency from 1999 until he stood down in 2014. He has since been appointed to the House of Lords. In September 2014, Cashman was appointed Labour’s special envoy on LGBTQIA+ issues worldwide. He resigned from the Labour Party in May 2019 in opposition to Brexit, and offered his support to the Liberal Democrats.

Lord Waheed Ali headshot

Lord Waheed Ali

Patron

he/him

Lord Waheed Alli is a media entrepreneur and politician. He is the co-creator of the television series Survivor and has held executive positions at several television production companies including the Endemol Shine Group, Carlton Television Productions, Planet 24, and Chorion.
Clare Summerskill headshot

Clare Summerskill

Patron

she/her

Clare Summerskill is an independent academic researcher who has recently completed her PhD at Royal Holloway University of London in the Drama department. She is chair and co-founder of the UK’s Oral History Society LGBTQIA+ Special Interest Group. She is also a playwright, stand-up and singer-songwriter.

Peter Tatchell headshot

Peter Tatchell

Patron

he/him

Peter Tatchell is a British human rights campaigner, originally from Australia, best known for his work with LGBTQIA+ social movements. Tatchell was selected as the Labour Party’s parliamentary candidate for Bermondsey in 1981.

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