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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.
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.
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.
We are honoured to acknowledge the founding Members of Oxford Pride:
OXFORD PRIDE @ 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Registered in England & Wales limited by guarantee with no share capital 04662488 and a registered charity 1151400
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mary Helen moved to Oxford in 2019 and after emerging from their flat after lockdowns began to start living there fully. Having been born and raised in Oregon and gone to University in California, she originally came to England for a study abroad in Brighton and then an MA from Central Saint Martins, they have now invaded Oxford to set up permanent roots. She is currently at the beginning of her studies for a Ph.D. in Information Science, and in her spare time enjoys many forms of art, including life drawing, and painting, and is also an extremely voracious reader who enjoys boxing and weightlifting.
She lives with her partner Alex and cat Poppet.
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Becca has lived in Oxford all her life and has been involved with Oxford Pride off and on for the last six years.
She works for the University of Oxford and is involved with several Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion working groups, within her department and in the Medical Sciences Division.
She is very happy to be the Fundraising and Events Officer for Pride 2024 and looks forward to building on the successes of our previous events and helping Oxford Pride grow and foster long-term relationships with local and national businesses.
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Hello – I’m James!
I’m an experienced photographer and videographer with several years of experience in television working across the UK and Europe. Originally from in Oxfordshire, I moved to the Northwest in 2011 to pursue a career in TV but moved back to the south in 2022.
I was fortunate to work on shows such as Ru Paul’s Drag Race vs The World and The Great British Bake Off, but I mostly spent my time working with the BBC on The One Show and Rip Off Britain.
I joined Oxford Pride in 2024 as a content creator. To date I’ve produced event highlights videos and year-round photography for Pride events.
Through 2024 and into 2025 I’ll be working with the creative team to output engaging, informative and entertaining content via our social media channels.
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Tom has been a proud member of Oxford’s LGBTQ+ community for over two decades, during which time he has been involved in Pride previously and actively involved in running Northgate Hall for many years.
Tom has worked extensively in the Retail Healthcare sector, alongside being an experienced Retail Manager, he is a qualified Healthcare Professional providing a broad range of services and support to Oxfordshire’s residents.
He believes that Oxford Pride is about providing a space and opportunity for every individual within our diverse community to be (and celebrate) who they are.
By bringing skills and experience from the business sector to a more community-focused context, he believes this will enable Oxford Pride to continue to grow and extend its reach, enabling every member of our community to participate, enjoy, and shape Pride into what they need it to be.
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Nico is a web developer with 5+ years of experience in the tech industry. In his spare time, Nico dedicates himself to supporting charities, non-profit organisations, community groups, and freelancers in establishing their online presence.
He actively advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, as part of the Oxford Pride committee, and promotes the representation of BME individuals as the lead developer for Black Artforms and Black Leaders in Healthcare.
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Hi I’m Kev, I am 49 and currently living in Bicester where I have been for the last 3 years to be with my partner Dean, I am also soon to be step dad to 2 teenagers. I have been going to Oxford pride for the last 2 years and I am looking forward to joining the team for 2024.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Paul O’Grady MBE was a beloved British comedian, television presenter, actor, writer, radio host, producer, and former drag queen. He achieved notability in the London gay scene during the 1980s with his drag queen persona Lily Savage, with which he went mainstream in the 1990s.
