Features

Features and articles from the Midlands LGBTQ+ community.

Joe Lycett has blonde short hair, is smiling and holding a folder, and he wears a ruffled outfit in the colours of the Pansexual flag yellow, pink and blue.

Joe Lycett creates ‘United States of Birmingham’

As part of an upcoming new series for Sky Max, comedian, presenter and Brummy bab, Joe Lycett, has bought together the ‘United States of Birmingham’

Apr 12, 20251 min read

A garland of pride progress intersex inclusion flags hung up outside somewhere, trees can be seen in the background

Group set up for LBGTQ+ community in rural East Midlands

Megan Atkinson from Leicestershire, set up the group ‘Queer Adventure Collective’ as a safe space for LGBTQ+ people from smaller communities

Apr 7, 20251 min read

Opening night at the new Village Inn, a collage of two photos. In the first, you can see the outside of the new venue, a sign hangs above reading 'The Village Inn' there is a red 'VIP' style rope, balloon towers in gold and black and a large red high heel, from the old Village Inn. In the second photo, three drag queens (Dahliah Rivers, Blanche & Yshee Black) are celebrating outside. Blanche opens a bottle of champagne which sprays everywhere, Dahliah and Yshee laugh.

Twiggy: On the ever-changing Gay Village

Drag performer, Twiggy, reflects on Birmingham's changing Gay Village and the positive future of the venues

Apr 4, 20252 min read

Promotional image of Billy and Bev for the Olivier Awards. Both Black people, and are made-up and glamorous. Billy wears a gold shirt and white coat over his shoulders, he has large rings on most of his fingers. He has short black hair and a stubbly beard. Beverley wears a cream dress, earrings and has big, black curly hair that frames her face.

Wolverhampton's Beverley Knight collabs with Billy Porter in new song

Singer-songwriter & actress, Beverley Knight has collaborated with American actor &singer, Billy Porter on new single, Never Say Never.

Apr 4, 20252 min read

Image shows the gay couple crochet down with the dog in front of them. Justin wears a yellow and black shirt and an orange hat, and blue jeans and Richard wears a black and white shirt and sunglasses and black jeans. The dog is small, terrier like scruffy with grey-ish fur. Bear also wears a green harness and lead.

Birmingham Couple find 'love at first bark' at The Dog House

Birmingham couple, Richard & Justin, appeared on the latest episode of The Dog House, in search of a four-legged friend

Mar 22, 20252 min read

Photo of the three women who make up Remember Monday, each wears a dress in creams and pinks

Cannock voice coach on UK’s Eurovision entry

Jenii Luperi, a voice coach from Cannock who works in Walsall, has spoken to the BBC about the 2025 UK entry to Eurovision, Remember Monday

Mar 11, 20252 min read

Charity Spotlight: Project 93

Project 93 is a Staffordshire-based charity supporting LGBTQ+ people of all ages in Staffordshire and the surrounding areas

Mar 5, 20251 min read

European premiere of Pulitzer prize-winning Fat Ham for RSC

James Ijames’ Pulitzer prize-winning play, Fat Ham, will make its European premiere at the RSC’s Swan Theatre

Feb 4, 20252 min read

Lunar New Year: Chinatown & the Gay Village, a shared history

In celebration of Lunar New Year, Midlands Rainbow exploring the connection shared between Chinatown and the Gay Village in Birmingham.

Jan 29, 20254 min read

Remembering Matt Hawkins, The Divine Miss M

Remembering Matthew Hawkins also known to many as the drag performer, The Divine Miss M; an icon in Birmingham's LGBTQ+ community.

Jan 28, 20255 min read

Midlands Rainbow recommends: 2025 Shows

2025 is fast approaching & with it comes a new year of great shows in Birmingham & across the Midlands. We've picked just a few of our faves

Dec 14, 20244 min read

Black and white photo of Geoff lounging by a canal

In Memoriam: Geoff Hardy, LGBTQ+ rights advocate

Geoff Hardy was an educator and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights much of whom's life was spent living in Shropshire.

Nov 26, 20243 min read

Jack and George on their wedding day. They wear white shirts and trousers with blue button hole flowers. They hold their two chihuahuas between them. The dogs also wear tiny suits.

Petition challenging Home Office Decision on gay spouse visa launched

Jack and George Scott-Lee are a married gay couple living in the West Midlands, whose marriage Visa has been rejected by the Home Office

Oct 19, 20242 min read

Fague designer in a rainbow dress stood in front of a sign with the labels name on

New fashion brand, FAGUE, embraces queerness & neurodiversity

Nick Hurley is the neurodivergent, non-binary visionary behind the newly-launched ‘FAGUE; Queer Unfashion’

Sep 1, 20242 min read

Fatt Butcher is a church type setting, they wear a robe of purple yellow white and black, the colours of the Non-binary flag

Fatt Projects Announces Dancefloor ‘hymns’ Development

an exciting new project with Fatt Projects which will see the creation of dancefloor ‘hymns’. ‘Congregational’

Aug 28, 20242 min read

Birmingham Pride sign at the festival, lit up at night

How will the Smithfield Development impact Birmingham Pride?

The Smithfield site has been used for many years by Birmingham Pride but how will development impact it?

Jun 20, 20242 min read

World Premiere of Here & Now in Birmingham adds additional week

The world premiere of a new musical, ‘Here & Now’ – which uses the music of Steps – at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham has added dates

May 9, 20242 min read