Attitude to host body image panel discussion at Student Pride 2022
Student Pride is going ahead as an in-person event for the first time since 2020.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Dean Ryan McDaid and Instagram/@charlie_craggs and @benwardle_
On Saturday (9 April) around 2,000 students and recent graduates will descend on the University of Westminster for Student Pride 2022.
It’s the first time the event will be held in-person since 2020.
Recently out Emeli Sandé will be this year’s headline interview discussing her life, career, and her journey with her sexuality with Attitude’s Editor-in-Chief, Cliff Joannou.
“There is no such thing as the ideal body”
Attitude will also be hosting a panel discussion focusing on body image in the LGBTQ community.
“There is no such thing as the ideal body. However, almost every one of us is aware of how external pressure accentuated by marketing and advertising campaigns, the fashion industry, social media apps, and broader media have for decades fed us images of what the ‘body ideal’ is,” Cliff says.
“As the idea of a ‘perfect body’ is gradually being deconstructed and old stereotypes are broken down, at Student Pride we will be looking at what it means to be happy in your body, and the journey our panellists have taken to embracing themselves,” he continues.
Cliff will be joined by TikTok-er, Ben Wardle and celebrity chef, Bake Off winner, Strictly Come Dancing finalist, John Whaite, author Charlie Craggs, comedian Sophie Duker, and model Aliss Bonython.
“We will be discussing difficult topics such as eating disorders and the link between good mental health and physical wellbeing. From hook-up apps to the fetishised images in porn and asking, how do we separate fantasy from reality to find happiness away from social expectations?” Cliff adds.
The discussion is due to take place at 15:30 on Saturday 9 April.
When & where are your favourite Panels & Events happening this weekend? 📌
Read our Festival Timetable 🗓️ to plan out your highlights & MUST-SEES at #StudentPride 2022 today https://t.co/EvFe8xKESM pic.twitter.com/2KtNMEM1fa
— National Student Pride (@studentpride) April 7, 2022
Other events taking place at National Student Pride include:
– Panel discussion on The Media War on Trans People (Natasha Devon (LBC); Ben Hunte (VICE News) and Abigail Thorn (Philosophy Tube)
– Panel discussions Improving LGBT+ Nightlife and EUROUT: Coming Out at Work will also take place.
– A UK debut performance from The Future X, the new band introduced by Simon Fuller
– The largest LGBTQ+ careers fair in the UK, headlined by Clifford Chance and EY
Free tickets are available here. You can upgrade to a £5-weekend wristband to include the event’s Friday and Saturday night parties at G-A-Y Late (with £2.50 drinks) and G-A-Y Heaven (with queue jump and £3 drinks all night).
Attitude’s new-look March/April issue is out now.
