News

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.

Drag Race UK winner and Celebrity Big Brother star, Danny Beard, has been announced as part of a sparkling cast for this year’s pantomime at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Danny will star as the most glamourous villain of Sleeping Beauty, Carabosse.

Ahead of its move to its new centre home in September, Birmingham LGBT have received a donation of £9,609 from the Morrisons Foundation. The cash boost from the supermarket’s charity foundation has covered the costs of creating and furnishing a training room at Birmingham LGBT’s new facility.

For the third year in a row, Warwickshire Pride festival was the target of hate-fuelled vandalism in 2025. Luckily, the community came together quickly to help rectify the damage before the festival commenced. Now though, organisers are calling for a focus on tackling the hate at its roots to create real change.

The cast for series 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has been announced and among them is Coventry’s own Viola.

The Fostering Network, a charity in the West Midlands, is encouraging more people, including those in the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering.

For the third year in a row, Warwickshire Pride has been the target of vandalism but the community turned “the negativity and the hate into something positive - pure community power,” explained Dan Browne, one of the festival’s organisers.

Nottinghamshire Police have launched an appeal to identify two individuals that they would like to speak to in connection with an incident of homophobic harassment.

This Saturday (16th August), Nottingham Against Transphobia with Notts Pastel Project and Trans Pride Notts are holding a die-in to protest the leaked EHRC policy which will impact trans lives.

Dudley Pride will return to the town centre this September for a free event with a full line-up of performances plus a market of street stalls.

The Greatest Gathering festival in Derby hosted the world's first train-bourne Pride parade in an event co-ordinated by Journey; a not-for-profit organisation for LGBTQ+ professionals working in the transport sector.

Several Labour MPs, including representatives from the Midlands, have supported trans rights in letters responding to concerns from their constituents.

Drag Race UK star, vocal sensation and all-round powerhouse drag performer, Divina De Campo has joined Lincoln Pride’s 2025 line-up. Bringing her theatrical talents and fabulous vocals to the main stage, Divina De Campo will perform at Lincoln Pride on Saturday 16th August.