Great Western Railway joins Bristol Pride to celebrate 15 years of Pride in the city
For the second year in a row Great Western Railway (GWR) has joined forces with Bristol Pride, and this year will celebrate 15 years of Pride in Bristol.
As part of GWR’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the train operator is committed to supporting Pride events across the network, and this year continues to support the event.
GWR colleagues from across the network are excited to be gearing up for the Pride celebrations on Saturday 13 July.
GWR Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Engagement Coordinator Jay Jones said:
“Attending Pride events shows the LGBT+ community we serve that we are a safe space for all, where our customers and colleagues can rest assured that they can be their authentic selves when on our trains and at our stations.
“It sends a powerful message that hate of any kind has no place on our network and in wider society.”
The Bristol area is a hub for Great Western Railway; and a city bursting with culture is the perfect place to celebrate the communities served by the operator. Attending pride events also shares a powerful message that the rail industry is committed to promoting a safe space for everyone.
GWR’s internal volunteer LGBT+ inclusion network, called Aspect, has also organised attendance at pride events across the GWR network, by bringing together volunteers from the LGBT+ community and allies, showcasing GWR as an inclusive organisation.
GWR Conductor and volunteer Pride Events Lead Mike Nutman said:
“Aspect is GWR’s internal staff inclusion network. We organise the bringing together of colleagues from all areas of the business to support Pride events across the network. It is my role to collaborate with Pride organisers and the GWR team.
“I am delighted to be back at Bristol Pride for the second year with the largest pride attendance we at GWR have ever organised.”
GWR has attended Pride events in Exeter, Swansea and Oxford and are wrapping up the 2024 Pride season by bringing 75 people to march together through the streets of Bristol, showing the LGBT+ community that GWR is committed to inclusion and diversity.
Pride should be fun, and this year it was decided that GWR would provide rainbow bucket hats to pride attendees.
Contact Information
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us