top of page
Search
News
LGBTQ+ community news across Birmingham, the West Midlands and the East Midlands.


West Midlands Police apologise to LGBTQ+ communities for historic mistreatment
After lengthy campaigning from the Peter Tatchell Foundation, West Midlands Police’s acting Chief Constable has finally issued an apology to the LGBTQ+ community for historic mistreatment. WMP Acting Chief Constable Scott Green said Pride Month was the “timely and appropriate” moment to apologise on behalf of the force,
7 hours ago3 min read


Reform UK councillor for Warwickshire reported to police over transphobia
A Reform UK councillor has been reported to the police over comments made in an email that Warwickshire Pride have described as “transphobic”. The complaint over Warwickshire county councillor, Wayne Briggs, follows a leaked email containing his objections to flying the Pride Flag outside the council's Shire Hall headquarters. A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police has confirmed record of the complaint and plans to gather further details.
5 days ago3 min read


One charged and another arrested following hate crime attack in Smethwick
Content Warning: This article includes details of a suspected homophobic hate crime
West Midlands Police have a charged a teenager (17) with attempted murder, and arrested a second teenage boy (also 17), following an attack on a man in Smethwick. The victim, in his 50s, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition after being attacked at around 8.30pm on 14th June on St Paul’s Road, Smethwick.
6 days ago2 min read


Pride Month celebrations removed from Staffordshire libraries under Reform leadership
Reform UK-led Staffordshire County Council say libraries under its jurisdiction will no longer feature Pride displays or host any pride-related activities reflecting a new 2026-2028 Libraries Strategy.
Jun 163 min read


Protest photography exhibition to open in Coventry
An exhibition of protest photography by I Am Royal Art is set to open in Coventry during Pride month. The exhibition, Human Focus, will run from 20th June until 29th July at LTB showrooms, Priory Visitor Centre (PVC); a community arts hub.
Jun 122 min read


Warwickshire Pride respond to Reform UK councillor’s statement on ‘safeguarding’ and ‘gender ideology’
Organisers of Warwickshire Pride have released their own statement in response to another from the Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Reform UK councillor George Finch. His latest statement relates to libraries, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and ‘safeguarding’ against what he describes as "contested gender ideology."
Jun 94 min read


Coventry Pride increases security in response to online hate
The organisers of Coventry Pride say they’ve received a slew of online hate, including one person who threatened to drive a car into the festival crowd. In response, the organisers have had to allocate a large percentage of the budget for this year’s event on security, to ensure the safety of those attending and their team of volunteers.
Jun 93 min read


Motion tabled to reject the EHRC Code
Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, has tabled a motion to reject the EHRC code of practice. The code has been redrafted in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, which stated that the legal definition of a woman, in relation to the Equality Act, is based on biological sex. The guidance, if approved, would have far-reaching implications for trans people.
Jun 33 min read


Notts Pride call for sponsors as 2026 set to be ‘bolder’ than ever
Notts Pride, one of the East Midlands' leading LGBTQ+ charities and hosts of the region's largest free Pride event, have called for further sponsors for this year’s Pride which is set to take place on Saturday 25th July. The event’s organisers promise that this year's celebration will be “the biggest, boldest and brightest” Pride in the city yet.
May 272 min read


Equalities funding cut moves forward despite protest in Warwickshire
The Reform UK-led Warwickshire County Council will move ahead with plans to cut its funding to the Equality & Inclusion Partnership (EQUIP) after a public meeting on Friday 22nd May.
May 262 min read


Warwickshire Pride calls emergency protest
Warwickshire Pride have called for an emergency protest in response to the Reform-led council’s consultation on potentially cutting Equality & Inclusion Partnership (EQUIP) funding.
May 192 min read


Wolverhampton Pride free of charge in 2026
Wolverhampton Council has announced that the city’s Pride will be free of charge in 2026, thanks to “strong levels” of sponsorship ahead of the event.
May 172 min read


Perpetrator sentenced following online hate crime targeted at Chesterfield Pride
Last year, the organisers of Chesterfield Pride were targeted with homophobic abuse on social media. A year later, they reveal in a statement that the person involved has now plead guilty to the offence and has subsequently been sentenced.
May 142 min read


Birmingham Museums acquires Joe Lycett costumes for city’s permanent collection
Birmingham Museums has acquired several pieces of costuming from Brummie comedian Joe Lycett for the city’s permanent collection. The donations include costumes worn by Lycett for award show red carpets, and in conjunction with his Late Night Lycett which was filmed in his home city and showed on Channel 4.
May 71 min read


Trans activist and speaker to stand for Green Party in local elections
Eva Echo, a trans activist and changemaker known for her work with Birmingham Pride, Trans in the City and the Crown Prosecution service among many others, has announced that she will be standing in the upcoming local elections. Eva has joined the Green Party, led by Zack Polanksi and will standing in the local elections as one of the Green Party candidates for the Rowley ward, in Sandwell.
May 43 min read
![[Left: Lesley received her WRAC Association presentation in 2024 in Guildford.] [Right: Lesley and wife Jackie after the Great Bristol Run 2024]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/720f71_3ecda823a6f948e58cc32867e6ead7db~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/720f71_3ecda823a6f948e58cc32867e6ead7db~mv2.webp)
![[Left: Lesley received her WRAC Association presentation in 2024 in Guildford.] [Right: Lesley and wife Jackie after the Great Bristol Run 2024]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/720f71_3ecda823a6f948e58cc32867e6ead7db~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_434,h_326,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/720f71_3ecda823a6f948e58cc32867e6ead7db~mv2.webp)
LGBTQ+ former service personnel join WRAC in Great Brum Run fundraising
Members of the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Association will be joining the Great Birmingham Run this weekend, and among them will be several LGBTQ+ ex-personnel.
Apr 294 min read


Date revealed for Nottingham’s Rainbow Quarter official launch
Last year, plans were announced to transform the streets surrounding Hockley – an area already tied to the local LGBTQ+ community and its history – into an official LGBTQ+ district. Following in the footsteps of other cities including Manchester and Birmingham, which have officially recognised Gay Villages, Hockley is set to become Nottingham’s Rainbow Quarter. The charity behind the project have now revealed details and dates for the unveiling.
Apr 232 min read


Calls for trans clinic in Birmingham to improve access to healthcare
Labour councillor, David Barker, has called for a transgender clinic in Birmingham to improve access to healthcare and support, and to bring down waiting lists.
Apr 192 min read


LGBTQ+ refugee non-profit responds to claims of migrants ‘posing as gay’ to seek asylum
An undercover BBC investigation claims that legal advisors have been helping migrants ‘pose as gay’ to gain asylum in the UK. Micro Rainbow, the leading UK non-profit providing safe housing, integration and social inclusion support for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers, with housing in London, the North West and the West Midlands, has issued a statement responding to the BBC article which they say is “deeply misleading and risks harming those genuinely fleeing persecution.”
Apr 163 min read


Staffordshire Police apologise for past homophobic persecution
Staffordshire Police have become the 22nd police force in the UK to apologise for their history of persecuting LGBTQ+ people.
Apr 143 min read
bottom of page
