The Open University at 50: standing with Pride

In its fiftieth year, The Open University’s support of Pride events taking place across the UK and Ireland has even more resonance.

June also marks fifty years since the Stonewall riots in 1969, one of the most important historic events leading to the gay liberation movement and to the first Pride marches a year later.

The OU is fiercely proud of its social mission in opening education for all and the role in promoting and driving inclusivity and diversity. For the month of June, to celebrate our birthday and to mark and commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, the OU 50 logo will incorporate the Pride rainbow colours. 

Susan Stewart, Director of the OU in Scotland, said:

“I’m delighted that The Open University’s shield is turning rainbow-coloured to show our solidarity with LGBTQ+ people during Pride month in June. I hope that all of us are proud that our University remains true to the vision of its founders and their principles of equality, diversity, inclusion and tolerance.

"As a lesbian who was just coming out when Clause 28 became law in the 1980s, I could never have dreamed that, 30 years later, Pride would be something which many major institutions and employers would support.” 

OU staff and students will be taking part in the Edinburgh Pride March on Saturday 22 June, as well as other Pride events across the UK and Ireland.