National Student Pride (NSP) celebrated its 21st anniversary at the University of Westminster, marking the last iteration of the UK’s longest-running LGBTQ+ student event. This event, made for students by students, has been committed to enhancing the LGBTQ+ student experience across the UK.
The festivities commenced on 13 February at the London School of Economics (LSE) with the UpSkill Careers Afternoon, designed to empower attendees with valuable knowledge and professional development opportunities with specialist workshops, panels, professional headshots, networking and skills sessions. The evening transitioned into a celebration of queer identities and communities with the Opening Party and the NSP Awards, which was hosted at Westminster by artist and TikTok creator Mason Blake, singer and songwriter Benji James, and actor and writer Bradley Riches, who has featured in Emmerdale, Heartstopper and Big Brother UK. The event featured performances by Benji James, Rory Roar, University of Leeds’ Drag Society, University College London’s Drag Society and Imperial College London’s Musical Theatre Society, and it concluded with several DJ sets. The festivities then continued into the night at the G-A-Y Heaven nightclub, offering free entry, queue jump and exclusive deals.
The Daytime Festival on 14 February transformed the Marylebone Campus into a hub of activity. The main stage and bar, chaired by British actress and activist Charlie Craggs and Big Brother’s Zelah Glasson, featured engaging panel discussions, celebrity interviews and performances. One panel, Trans 2030: Beyond the Culture War, was chaired by Sunday Times best-selling author Juno Dawson and discussed the future of trans rights, visibility and policy. Another panel, Queer Dating: Love, Lust and Labels, which was chaired by LBC’s Natasha Devon, explored dating apps, intimacy, queer joy, heartbreak, emotional well-being, identity and the new ways young LGBTQ+ people are forming relationships today.
The music stage and quiet zone provided spaces for relaxation and entertainment, catering to diverse attendee preferences. The Therapy Puppy Hub offered attendees the chance to interact with therapy puppies, promoting wellbeing and stress relief.
There was also a Careers Fair, which is recognised as the UK's largest LGBTQ+ inclusive student recruitment fair and connected students with a wide range of employers committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The community marketplace, featuring over 40 creators and charities, showcased the talents and initiatives within the LGBTQ+ community.
The festival included exclusive pink carpet interviews with personalities like Drag Queen Tiara Sky, adding a touch of glamour to the proceedings. The evening culminated with various LGBTQ+ club nights across Soho, allowing attendees to continue the celebrations in some of London's most iconic venues.
Artemis Giourou, a student in attendance, said: “With the current hardship of the job market for graduates and the increasing discrimination of LQBTQ+ voices in professional spaces, NSP is needed more than ever. With its free access to the largest collection of inclusive career stalls, NSP has helped me and other students learn more about their future prospects!”
Another student, Emma Marshall, added: “As someone who was involved in the Career Fair in 2025 while doing my internship at L’Oréal Groupe, I have seen in action how students can easily make connections with Talent Acquisition teams firsthand. You can tell everyone at the fair truly wants the best for these students and it's not something we always see for young queer individuals.”
Tom Guy, founder and Trustee of NSP and Westminster alumnus, said: “When companies step back from EDI, it's community spaces like National Student Pride and the young people who rely on them that pay the price. We encourage companies to keep investing in EDI spaces; it makes companies better and makes the world more inclusive for us all to thrive together.”
This event directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about support for LGBTQ+ students at Westminster.
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