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, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community.

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

Paul McGinn headshot

Paul McGinn
Treasurer
he/him

Mazz Image headshot

Mazz Image
Secretary
she/her

Nick Blandford headshot

Nick Blandford
Non-executive Director
he/him

Officers

Salvatore Iozzia

Salvatore Iozzia
Volunteer Officer
he/him

Dean Rose

Dean Rose
Entertainment Officer
he/him

Michelle Codrington-Rogers headshot

Michelle Codrington-Rogers
Festival Officer
she/her

Neil Prestidge
Parade Officer
he/him

Angie Vinko headshot

Angie Vinko
Creative Officer
she/they

Nico Zonias

Nico Zonias
Website Officer
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.

Paul McGinn headshot

Paul McGinn

Treasurer

he/him

Paul joined Oxford Pride as a Non-Executive Director in 2016. He was later Chair in 2018. Whilst he was Chair the Oxford Bus Company Pride bus hit our city’s streets helping to increase our visibility throughout Oxford and the county.

Paul has worked in the hospitality and aviation industries and specifically within the Finance, Treasury, Procurement and Legal functions.

Its Paul’s role to manage our money. In consultation with the team Paul makes sure realistic budgets are set and that we understand how our money is earnt and spent.

Mazz Image headshot

Mazz Image

Secretary

she/her

Mazz was elected as Oxford Pride’s first female Chair in 2007. She founded the Oxford Pride Parade in 2008.

Mazz collaborated with local groups and organisations to expand Pride Day into an annual Arts & Culture Festival to better reflect the diversity and unique qualities of Oxford.

She helped Oxford Pride become a registered charity in 2013, with the relocation of the event to Paradise Street in 2015 and the expansion of Pride Day into Leiden Square in 2019.

Mazz is a portrait and event photographer, graphic designer and human rights advocate.

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 Kumquat, Tilikum and Eartha Mae.

Salvatore Iozzia

Salvatore Iozzia

Volunteer Officer

he/him

My name is Salvatore (Salva). Volunteering for me has always been one of the best things I could do, and back in my country (Italy), I was involved in a lot of activities with nonprofit organisations, like FoodBank and Community Accommodation Group for people with disabilities.

I volunteered in Oxford Pride 2023 and as it was an amazing experience, I decided to get more involved and help the community.

What you get back from volunteering is priceless: all the smiles, the love, and the feeling of doing good for the community, meeting new people, sharing experiences, and making new friendships. WOW.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the Oxford Pride 2024. Join the team, it will be amazing!

Dean Rose

Dean Rose

Entertainment Officer

he/him

I’m Dean, 50 years old from Bicester. Dad of 2 teens. Yes Kevin and Perry are real. I have been coming to Oxford Pride for the past 7 years and I’m looking forward to joining the team for Pride 2024.
Michelle Codrington-Rogers headshot

Michelle Codrington-Rogers

Festival Officer

she/her

Michelle is a proud Oxford townie. After studying in Winchester, the US and Leicester, she returned to teach at The Cherwell School.

Michelle believes strongly in intersectional social justice and equality; which has led to her being an active trade unionist as part of Oxfordshire NASUWT – the teachers union.

After her 4 years as the first Black, queer woman NASUWT President she is now in post as the 2022/23 Honorary Treasurer. Michelle also sits on the TUC General Council, LGBTQIA+ Committee, Black Workers Committee and Women’s Committee.

Neil Prestidge

Parade Officer

he/him

My name is Neil, my role on the Oxford Pride committee is the Parade Officer, my main role is to make sure the Parade is organised and everyone gets from the start to the end safely. I have served on the Oxford Pride Committee in the past as the Operations Officer, I have also spent a lot of my time volunteering at other pride events. I enjoy working with Oxford Pride and can’t wait to work on and deliver the parade for 2023
Nico Zonias

Nico Zonias

Website Officer

he/him

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.

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.

Skip to content