VU students, staff, friends and family gathered with thousands of other marchers to participate in the Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda, marking the sixth consecutive year VU has marched.
Melbourne turned on perfect weather for the day, with some relief from the heat of past marches. VU marchers made new connections, practised their dance moves, played games and got their faces painted ahead of the march. Lin - head of the VU student club Dance District - choreographed moves for everyone to try, with an enthusiastic dance crew leading the VU marchers.
VU is committed to not just continuing, but increasing support for LGBTQ+ inclusion, celebrating queer joy and uplifting LGBTQ+ students and staff in VU's community, especially in the wake of global backlash to LGBTQ+ inclusion and DEI more broadly.
Marching past thousands of cheering onlookers on the streets and balconies of St Kilda, the VU group walked, danced, waved and cheered, decked out in a rainbow of Pride t-shirts, hats, fans and umbrellas.
Professor Alex Parker (she/her) Executive Director Institute for Health and Sport and Executive Sponsor for LGBTQ+ Inclusion said:
It's a time to celebrate the diversity of our staff and students, and also for people to learn a bit more ... about the queer community.
VU was recognised as a Gold Employer with the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) in 2025 for a second-year running. The university continues to strive to strengthen inclusion for all people at VU.
There are many ways students and staff can get involved in inclusion work at VU.
