The United Colleges Group stands with its LGBTQIA community in celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

The group, which brings together College of North West London and City of Westminster College, is proud to mark the 17 May event which was created in 2004 to celebrate sexual and gender diversity.

IDAHOTB is a decentralised celebration which takes place in 130 different countries, of which 37 still criminalise same-sex acts.

Across the world, millions of people and thousands of organisations are to celebrate IDAHOTB and the United Colleges Group is proud to join them.

Located in one of the world’s most important cultural, political, and economic centres, the London-based college group is proud to celebrate the contribution that its LGBTQIA students and staff make to life on its campuses and elsewhere.

Both colleges are also determined to work with its gender and sexual minorities to help them overcome the struggles and discrimination they continue to face.

The United Colleges Group, and its senior leadership team, sends its best wishes to everyone celebrating IDAHOTB and hopes they have a rewarding, nourishing, and enjoyable experience.

We also spoke to some of our students, who said:

“I’m glad to see that the College is committing to becoming more accepting and inclusive. I know that I am accepted here but there is always room for improvement and I’m excited to see the College continue to grow.”  (Calum O’Raw)

“Coming from a school where there was a lot of attention on the fact that I was the only openly bisexual person, I appreciate that the College environment is more inclusive and my sexuality isn't an issue.” (Benedict Bruce)

Stephen Davis, Group Principal of the United Colleges Group, said:

“International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is an opportunity for all of us to recognise the immense contribution that our LGBTQIA students and staff make to our colleges and to stand with them against the discrimination they continue to face.

“The United Colleges Group’s position is clear; homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia are entirely unacceptable and are not, and will never be, tolerated anywhere on our campuses.

“My colleagues and I send our best wishes to everyone marking IDAHOTB and assure them that they have our admiration, solidarity, and support both now and in the future.”