Students at NewVIc, Newham’s Sixth Form College, have just finished a month of Pride celebrations.

Newham Recorder: Activities involved 'rainbow laces' sports games, a 'gender unicorn' and talks from staff lecturers. Picture: NewVIcActivities involved 'rainbow laces' sports games, a 'gender unicorn' and talks from staff lecturers. Picture: NewVIc (Image: Archant)

As part of LGBTQ+ 2018 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transex, queer/questioning and others), February saw the college decorated with LGBT flags and posters, with an equality pledge placed at the entrance for students and teachers to sign.

A giant LGBT timeline was set up to guess when laws were passed, and students placed stickers on a map to guess where gay marriage is legal.

There were also games of ‘rainbow laces’, a ‘gender unicorn’ for people to chart how they interacted with sexuality, and a coming out talk by staff lecturer Rob Behan.

Juan Poggioli, who’s studying A-level drama & theatre studies, film and a subsidiary diploma in photography said: “A lack of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender visibility in the college as well as curriculum can be a huge factor in decision making for young people when they choose a college, which is why I chose to come to NewVIc. There is LGBT support and acceptance here and I am proud to be in this college”.