Pride Beats Prejudice is a student-led volunteer project founded in 2023 and now in its third successful year. The project was set up to respond to a clear and urgent gap in accessible, LGBTQ+ focused legal advice in London focusing on employment discrimination, housing issues and immigration concerns. By offering free legal advice in a supportive and inclusive setting, Pride Beats Prejudice helps individuals better understand their rights and feel more confident navigating the legal system. The clinic works closely with Tower Hamlets Law Centre, Baker McKenzie and Clyde & Co, whose professional support is central to the project. Together, the aim is to break down legal barriers and support members of the LGBTQ+ community in advocating for themselves when it matters most.
Behind the scenes, the project is run by a committed team of student volunteers who support its planning and delivery throughout the year. This includes lead volunteers such as Victor (Volunteer Coordinator), Vamika (Project Lead), Zara (Volunteer Coordinator) and Tom (Communications Lead), alongside a wider group of volunteers who help deliver the clinic’s work. This is Victor’s second year volunteering with Pride Beats Prejudice – he first joined as a Triaging Volunteer, speaking directly with clients to understand the issues they were facing and helping to guide them towards appropriate legal support. This role gave him valuable insight into the real challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals seeking legal advice and the importance of creating a space where people feel listened to from the very first interaction. After such a positive experience, stepping into the role of Volunteer Coordinator felt like a natural progression. In this role, Victor supports the recruitment, training and wellbeing of volunteers, while helping to keep the project running smoothly, allowing him to shape how the project develops.
Victor was drawn to Pride Beats Prejudice because it offered a way to support the LGBTQ+ community that felt meaningful and real and he notes that as time passed, the project has become one of the most rewarding parts of his university experience. A big part of Victor’s role has been encouraging other students to get involved. He has found that what resonates most is showing the real impact of the clinic – the evidence speaks for itself!
Through his involvement with Pride Beats Prejudice, Victor has developed strong communication skills, particularly the ability to adapt his approach depending on who he is working with. Whether supporting clients, coordinating volunteers or liaising with partner organisations, he has learned how important it is to balance empathy with clarity to make sure communication is effective and supportive.
Becoming a Volunteer Coordinator also gave Victor a wider view of just how collaborative the project is. It highlighted how much the project relies on shared commitment – everyone involved genuinely cares, and that collective effort is what keeps Pride Beats Prejudice going! Pride Beats Prejudice is an ambitious project, grounded in practical action while still aiming high. It is through the dedication of its volunteers, like Victor, that the project continues to grow and make a real difference for London’s LGBTQ+ community.
