June is Pride Month, and Cambridge in America celebrates our diverse LGBTQ+ community, including those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or gender non-conforming.
We celebrate Pat Arrowsmith (Newnham College 1948), an English author who campaigned for nuclear disarmament, an end to the Vietnam War, the removal of British troops from Northern Ireland, an end to the Gulf War, and feminist and lesbian issues. She was one of the organizers of the first Aldermaston march and one of the original signatories of the Committee of 100. From 1958 onward, she served eleven prison sentences for her political activities.
We celebrate Stephen Fry (Queens' College 1978), an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator, and writer. He first came to prominence as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie, alongside Hugh Laurie (Selwyn College 1978), with the two starring in “A Bit of Fry & Laurie” (1989–1995) and “Jeeves and Wooster" (1990–1993). He also starred in the sketch series “Alfresco” (1983–1984) alongside Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson (Newnham College 1977), and Robbie Coltrane and in “Blackadder” (1986–1989) alongside Rowan Atkinson. Since 2011 he has served as president of the mental health charity Mind.
We celebrate Sir Ian McKellen (St Catharine's College 1958), an English actor, with a career spanning more than sixty years. He is noted for his roles on the screen and stage in genres ranging from Shakespearean dramas and modern theater to popular fantasy and science fiction. He is regarded as a British cultural icon and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. He received many accolades, including a Tony Award, six Olivier Awards, and a Golden Globe Award and nominations for two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards and five Emmy Awards.
We celebrate Sue Perkins (Murray Edwards College 1988), an English actress, broadcaster, comedian, presenter and writer. Originally coming to prominence through her comedy partnership with Mel Giedroyc in Mel and Sue, she has since become known as a radio broadcaster and television presenter, notably of The Great British Bake Off (2010–2016), Insert Name Here (2016–2019) and Just a Minute (since 2021) on BBC Radio 4.
To learn more about Pride Month in Cambridge, visit https://www.cam.ac.uk/topics/LGBT