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The Fountain Inn pub, also known as “Aunty’s bar”, was a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ people in Walsall, and those travelling in from the wider West Midlands region, during a time when homosexuality was still illegal. It closed its doors following Alice Cronin’s (the much-loved Aunty that gave the venue its name) retirement. Now almost sixty years later, the bar has inspired Birmingham Opera’s upcoming mini opera.

Following the great success of its first series, Celebrity Traitors is returning for a second series with a star-studded line-up. The line-up includes Brummie comedian, artist, and activist, Joe Lycett, and Nottingham-born non-binary actor Bella Rasmey best known for their roles in Game of Thrones as Lyanna Mormont, and The Last of Us as Ellie.

Birmingham Rep’s new production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream breathes contemporary Brummie life into the mystical play of trickster fairies and humorous misdirection.

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.

The Castle of Stories makes for a great queer summer read. Sunsets and olive groves underpin a sweet tale of queer love, pride, healing and connection.

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.

Brummie comedian and TV host, Joe Lycett, has also, more recently, become known for his artworks. Pieces created by Lycett are set to go on display this summer at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in his first major solo exhibition.

Based on Patricia Highsmith's iconic psychological thriller novel, which also inspired the acclaimed film and Netflix series of the same name, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a new stage adaptation that draws audiences into a world of deadly deceptions and desires.

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.

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.”

“Real love is nothing like the movies’ in PJ Ellis’ split-timeline romantic comedy, We Could Be Heroes.

Staffordshire Police have become the 22nd police force in the UK to apologise for their history of persecuting LGBTQ+ people.

A new exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry depicts youth culture, capturing the “collapse of gender binaries" says photographer, Casey Orr

Content Warning: This article contains sensitive topics related to the impact of Section 28. The Section 28 Justice Coalition launched this month as a campaign group calling for a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 on LGBTQ+ people. As part of their campaign, they have launched a petition calling for the public inquiry, as well as opening a letter writing campaign

A drag race UK tour, starring the cast of series seven is set to play in venues across the country, beginning April, with series one star, Divina De Campo as host.

A renewed appeal has been launched in the search for Montgomery (Monty) Lewis from Shropshire.

Based on Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, this Hercule Poirot tale is adapted for stage by writer Ken Ludwig, and directed by Lucy Bailey. When a couple's idyllic honeymoon onboard a luxurious cruise is cut short following a murder, it is up to world-famous dectect Hercule Poirot to uncover secrets buried in the Egyptian sands, untangle the complicated web of lies and solve another crime.

Redditch Pride, a free event which takes place in the town centre, is returning in 2026 on Saturday 6th June.

Actor Adam Carver (AKA cabaret artist Fatt Butcher) joins Birmingham Rep in their upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Adam took some time, between rehearsals for their role as Puck, to chat to Midlands Rainbow about the show…

Based on Andrea Levy’s award-winning novel, Small Island is a play adapted for stage by Helen Edmundson, and directed by Matthew Xia. Taking audiences on a journey from Jamaica to 1940s London, the production is an exploration of empire and the Windrush generation, belonging and identity, and hope