Birmingham Birmingham Pride bus returns after “a threat to staff” A rainbow-coloured Pride bus is running on all of its routes again after being removed from one route in Birmingham following a threat to staff. A spokesperson for operator National Express West Midlands said on Tuesday, July 2 that it was “running on all routes” again after a risk assessment. They By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Coventry and West Midlands Gay West Midlands Councillor Bill Gavan awarded MBE in New Year’s Honours List Councillor Bill Gavan, current Mayor of Sandwell, has been awarded an MBE for Political and Public Service, and for service to the LGBTQ+ community, in the New Year’s Honours List. Councillor Gavan was a founder chairman of Birmingham Pride, forming part of a small committee in 1996 which fundraised By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
Coventry and West Midlands Introducing Proud Baggies FC: a new LGBTQ+ football team in the West Midlands A new competitive LGBTQ+ football team, Proud Baggies FC – “dedicated to promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport” – has been announced in collaboration with West Bromwich Albion, Sandwell Council, and the Albion Foundation. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in fostering a By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
Pride IN PICTURES: Walsall Pride 2023 Walsall Pride 2023 returned for its second year in the Arboretum Extension over the bank holiday weekend, on Saturday, August 26. By Catherine Muxworthy • 3 min read
Birmingham Birmingham Pride and West Midlands Police announce new hate crime reporting partnership The Loft bar will become a hub where those who have experienced or witnesses a hate crime can report the incident. By Catherine Muxworthy • 3 min read
Birmingham Fierce Festival appoints new artistic director Clayton Lee will be joining Fierce Festival’s team as the new artistic director after Aaron Wright left in the spring to become Head of Performance and Dance at the Southbank Centre, London. By Catherine Muxworthy • 2 min read
Baga Chipz Coventry and West Midlands Baga Chipz to headline Cabaret Stage at this year’s Walsall Pride Walsall Pride, which will be held on August Bank Holiday Saturday, have released their full line-up, which this year includes a star from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
Coventry and West Midlands Walsall Pride to host Pride Picnic in the Park on Sunday, July 30 The picnic is completely free to attend, and guests are encouraged to bring their own food and drink, as well as blankets and chairs to sit on. Some chairs will also be provided by Walsall Pride for those who don’t have their own, and guests are also welcome to make use of the steps in the area too. By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
Coventry and West Midlands Football fan banned from matches for three years after homophobic abuse Liam Duce appeared at Dudley Magistrate Court on June 15 where he pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words and behaviour after he was arrested for homophobic abused at a Wolves vs Chelsea match back on April 8. The 24-year-old, of High Park Crescent, Sedgley, was given a three-year footb By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
Birmingham West Midlands Chief Constable confronted at Birmingham Pride over historic “LGBTQ+ witch-hunts” West Midlands’ Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, was challenged at Birmingham Pride on Saturday, May 27 over his force’s refusal to apologise for its past “witch-hunting of the LGBTQ+ community”. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Coventry and West Midlands West Midlands Police silent on apology for LGBTQ+ “witch-hunts” West Midlands Police have declined to say whether they will apologise for what human rights organisation the Peter Tatchell Foundation calls their “past witch-hunting of the LGBTQ+ community”. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Politics Sandwell in West Midlands to appoint second gay mayor in successive years The outgoing mayor, Richard Jones – who used his term to raise awareness and money for LGBTQ+ issues – was deselected by Labour before the election, and stood unsuccessfully for the Liberal Democrats in Old Warley. The controlling Labour group has now chosen Councillor Gavan to be the borough’s mayo By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
