Jönköping University marched in the Jönköping Pride Parade

The Jönköping Pride Festival, Qom Ut, took place 17-23 August, and the Pride flag was hoisted at Jönköping University (JU) throughout the week. The festival concluded with the Pride Parade and a celebration in Rådhusparken on Saturday 22 August where the sun shone over Jönköping, adding to the festive atmosphere during the parade.

JU has a tradition of participating in the parade, and this year there was a wonderful turnout of staff and some students (even though the students hadn’t started the semester yet). The initiative to march in the parade came from the staff, and this time it was the School of Education and Communication at JU that organized the event.

Amanda Windolf, Contract Education Coordinator, and Sandra Persson, project manager, both from the School of Education and Communication, were two of the people who helped organize the event, and they believe that Pride is of great importance.

"It’s important that JU is involved, that we show the world that we stand up for everyone’s equal rights and the right to love – both students and staff. That is fundamental! I feel like things have been heading in the wrong direction in the world and in Sweden – for example, with the events in Berlin – and that’s why it’s even more important that we show what we stand for,” says Amanda.

Sandra agreed and emphasized that:

"JU should be an employer that stands up for people’s rights—that’s truly People First!"

Sara Krohn is Executive Assistant at Jönköping International Business School, and she also participated in the event and the parade.

"I’m very happy to work at a place where people stand up for everyone and show that you don’t always have to be part of a specific group to show solidarity," she says.

The parade ended in Rådhusparken with music and celebrations. Afterward, some jubilant revelers headed over to Sofiehof for an after-party.

See the slideshow from the parade below: