Sussex Downs College Supports Eastbourne Mardi Gras

Sussex Downs College is proud to sponsor this weekend’s Eastbourne Mardi Gras (22^nd July), celebrating the LGBTQ community.

This weekend sees Eastbourne host its very own Pride event: Eastbourne Mardi Gras. It will be an exciting event, celebrating diversity and inclusion here on the Sunshine Coast. Sussex Downs College is proud to sponsor this inaugural event in the town, which recognises and celebrates the LGBTQ community.

Eastbourne Mardi Gras takes place on Saturday 22^nd August, with a parade departing from Langley Point at 12.30pm. Peter Tatchell, Human Rights campaigner and Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, opens the party in Prince’s Park at 2pm. An after party takes place at Atlantis Nightclub on Eastbourne Pier.

Main stage entertainment in Prince’s Park features Adele and Abba tribute acts, plus performances from X Factor finalists. The Dance Tent in Prince’s Park also opens from 2pm, with live DJs.

The daytime event is free to attend but please donate when you see a collection bucket! Money raised will go to Raystede Animal Sanctuary and Sussex Search & Rescue. There is also a £2 entry charge for the after party at Atlantis.

Around 2,000 guests are expected to enjoy the event.

Caroline Croft, Equality and Diversity Officer at Sussex Downs College, says, “We are delighted to support Eastbourne Mardi Gras in 2017, which is going to be a fantastically enjoyable day. Celebrating diversity and inclusion are so important, not just for students and staff at the College, but for the whole community. Eastbourne Mardi Gras will be a great celebration and we are proud and excited to put our name to it. We are hoping this is the first of many and that Mardi Gras will become part of Eastbourne’s cultural calendar.”

Sussex Downs College’s involvement with Eastbourne Mardi Gras reflects the college’s firm commitment to inclusion and is part of a new campaign to ensure equality and diversity is at the heart of everything the college does. SDC worked with organisers Bourne Out on the LGBT Remembrance event 2016, a vigil held following the tragic shooting in Orlando nightclub, Pulse.