News

Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre has named its first-ever patron, Katie Neeves, as they secure National Lottery funding ahead of their 50th Anniversary.

Project 93, a charity supporting people living with HIV in the Staffordshire region, have announced the details for this year’s World AIDS Day Vigil in North Staffordshire. Due to be held in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Monday 1st December, the event will commemorate World AIDS Day

Grace Richardson (20), from Leicester was crowned the winner of Miss England 2025, making her the first openly gay winner of the beauty contest.

Trans Day of Remembrance is held annually in November at the end of Trans Awareness Week, and across the Midlands community groups are uniting and events are being held to commemorate trans lives.

Warwickshire Pride have received a £12,500 donation from CharityJob to support their work with LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum in the area.

Birmingham creatives are joining forces to give voice to people living with HIV, centring stories of hope for the future as they mark this year’s World AIDS Day held on 1st December.

A new LGBTQ+ arts and heritage trail has been launched on the Staffordshire Moorlands, celebrating stories, creativity, history and connection from the community

Leicestershire will commemorate Trans Day of Remembrance in 2025 with a memorial walk, honouring trans lives.

Birmingham-based queer non-profit, Fatt Projects, is hosting ‘The Big Bastard Bonanza’ fundraiser to recoup money in the wake Manchester Pride’s insolvency.

Wolverhampton-born singer, songwriter and performer, Beverley Knight MBE will reprise her Olivier Award-winning role as Emmeline Pankhurst, alongside alongside Sharon Rose as the title character, Sylvia Pankhurst in the touring production of the Olivier-nominated musical, Sylvia.

Out-Out Group, an LGBTQ+ organisation based in Rugby, Warwickshire, has spoken up after a legal challenge was raised accusing the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) of bias for participating in Pride events

The New Art Gallery Walsall has announced that Coventry-based, trans artist, ANDI has been selected as the recipient of the Clive Beardsmore Artist Award, and will be joining the gallery in residence next year.

Oscar-qualifying short film, The Second Time Around, directed by Nottingham-born Jack Howard is one of fifteen productions shortlisted for this year's Iris Prize Awards in the 'Best British Short' category.

The Yard, a much-loved LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub in Coventry, has been named among the top 10% of businesses internationally in TripAdvisor's 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards.

Art Thou Ok Bab's Project +1 Positively Me in partnership with Saving Lives Charity are presenting a World AIDS Day Flash Mob in 2025, as part of activities marking the designated day that aims to raise awareness of the stigma still connected to HIV and to remember those lost during the AIDS pandemic.

‘Autumn is Queer’ in Coventry is a campaign of joyful programmed events and activities celebrating the resilience and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community. Taking part in Coventry and across the wider West Midlands region, the events range from performances, music and stand-up comedy to walks, workshops, and craft fairs.

LGBT Sparkle – a Wolverhampton-based social group that supports LGBTQ+ individuals and allies locally – won a National Diversity Award for ‘Community Organisation’ in the LGBTQ+ sub-category. While Katie Neeves, a trans ambassador who works as a presenter and event host, and now resides in the East Midlands also received an award for 'Positive Role Model' in the LGBT sub-category.

George Waterfield and Darren Cunningham, co-owners of a Leicester salon – The Secret Garden – have said they refuse to be intimidated after their business was targeted twice in suspected hate crime incidents that saw damage of, and tearing down of pride flags flying outside.

Matthew Jonathan (39), who pleaded guilty to the murder of Jamie Gowler (54), was sentence to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 5th September, the Crown Prosecution said.

A new exhibition, ‘Queer Without Fear: Pride in Who We Are’, which has opened at The Yard, Coventry, celebrates the city’s LGBTQ+ community and history.