FUN, COLOURFUL, LOUD, BRAVE, ZESTY, INCLUSIVE, POLITICAL? What do you associate with a Pride celebration? Come and join Mpride at Metro Bank as we explore the pride movement and evolution across time!

June 2019 marks 50 years since the Stonewall Riots were observed in New York in 1969, an event which is widely believed to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and paving the way for a fight to LGBT rights globally. Did you know the first Pride in London celebration in 1972 was held on July 1st as it was the nearest Saturday to the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots? The first Pride in London had 2000 participants. In 2018, the parade had 30,000 participants and over 1 million attendees! As Metro Bank and many other groups prepare for their involvement in not just London, but numerous pride celebrations globally, join us as we take a moment to step back and look back over the reasons we do so and also what we have achieved!

With an Mpride event comes AMAZEING speakers!

Our first speaker will be Garry Ormes:

Garry Ormes, has been involved in Essex Pride since it began in 2003, it has grown from a small pub based event, to the festival we have today. Garry has been a volunteer for the past 16 years, to oversee the development.

He studied leisure and tourism at college, and went on to drama school in London, to then have a career in theatre for 10 years. He then went on to manage the LGBT+ venue in Chelmsford where Essex Pride began.

He currently presents the breakfast show 3 days a week on Chelmsford's radio station. He says "I feel very privileged to be the organiser of such a big pride festival, and having seen how many people enjoy and benefit from coming to the event, makes it a very rewarding and heart-warming experience every year."

Our second guest speaker who we are excited to host is Pips Bunce:

Pips is a Director and Head of Global Markets Technology Strategic Programs and co-chair of the LGBT & Ally Program at Credit Suisse, a proud champion of Women in IT as part of the IT Women’s Council and part of the EMEA Women’s Network STC and a member of the CS BAME network.

Pips identifies as gender fluid and non-binary hence both identities within the Trans umbrella.

Pips was awarded a prestigious position in the 2018 OUTstanding and Financial Times Executive Leader list, featured at number 32 in the 2018 Financial Times and HERoes Female Executives list and won the Inspirational LGBTQI Leader category as part of the British LGBT Awards.

She is an active proponent for many of the firms holistic Diversity and Inclusion activities and also works with many mainstream firms including the BBC, Financial News and Parliament to highlight the importance of Ally programs, the importance of LGBTQI inclusion and Trans* and non-binary identities.

Drinks and refreshments will be provided. We can’t wait to see you all on the evening!

As with all things Metro Bank, expect some Surprise and Delight during the evening!

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