Pride Month
Be You
At NEXT, we know how important it is for people to not only be themselves at work, but to feel comfortable to do so. We create a positive working and learning environment, where all employees are valued for their contribution and individuality.
Be You and take it on.
If you would like to find out more about Pride at NEXT and our Terrence Higgins Trust partnership click here
Pride at NEXT Day 2024
What did we get up to?
We want to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic celebrations, events, and community spirit that shone brightly across our business during Pride Month 2024. It’s been wonderful to see everyone come together in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
We celebrated in style with Amanda Hardon and Hamish at our Enderby Campus and it was wonderful to see so many of you attend! From retail to distribution, you all got into the spirit of Pride and celebrated being you, with rainbow outfits, temporary tattoos and much more.
Check out our photos from across the company!
We had a fantastic turn out for Manchester Pride 2024 and all celebrated in style. With our matching t shirts, rainbow flags, fans and sparkle, we took to the streets and showed everyone what it means to be part of Pride, here at NEXT.
We want to thank all of you who joined us and made the day a memorable one!
Check out our photos from the day and make sure to read our interview with Darren, linked below, to find out how the day went!
About Pride Month
What is Pride?
Pride as we know it today, started as a protest.
In the early hours of June 28th 1969, the Stonewall Inn in New York City was raided by police. Frustrated with police brutality, discrimination and not wanting to lose another LGBTQ+ safe space in the city, the community fought back.
Pride month is celebrated in June, as the anniversary of the Stonewall riots and as a reminder of the power of standing together in defiance of those who seek to divide us.
Pride is known as a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, to show how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and highlighting the work that is still to be done, both at home and across the world.
Pride month is about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTQ+ history and raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. It also calls for people to remember how damaging discrimination was and still can be.
Pride is all about being proud of who you are no matter who you love.
Why do we need Pride?
Just eight years ago, the UK's legal framework for LGBTQ+ rights was the pride of Europe. But no longer. As anti-LGBTQ+ narratives have taken hold in our press and politics, the progress we have made has stalled.
Over 1.5 million LGBTQ+ people live in the UK, and the impact on us has been all too real. Hate crimes against our communities have risen drastically in the past few years. With every day that passes, we feel a little less safe going about our lives.
As across the world the rights LGBTQ+ people fought so hard for are slowly being stripped away, Pride is a chance for the community and allies to stand together to show that we’re not going anywhere.
Fifty years after the Stonewall uprising, there's lots for us to celebrate – but there’s also a lot more work that needs to be done. We won’t stop, until everyone, everywhere, can be accepted for who they are - without exception.
Pride Month at NEXT
What did we get up to on Pride at Next DAY 2024?
Get involved this month using our Pride themed Activity Pack.
Celebrate Pride Month 2024 with our playlist full of party anthems.
Join us on Sat 24th August as we walk the Manchester Pride Parade.
Take our Pride themed quiz and you could win a prize!
Click here for our Pride at NEXT podcast episode.
Don't miss our physical Newsletter, celebrating 5 years of Pride@NEXT.
Tune in to our Pride at NEXT
Radio station.
Fundraising
Terrence Higgins Trust
We're partnered with the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. They support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, and help the people using their services to achieve good sexual health.
We support THT with donations and profits from our Pride collections, to help them on their mission to end all new cases of HIV in the UK by 2030.
We would like to ask you to support this worthy cause with either a regular or one off donation.