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Image shows Tom Aspaul, he is in camel-coloured trousers, is shirtless and one arm rests on his chest. His posture is leaning back, He has dark hair and a moustache and wears a crown of flowers on his head.

Interview: Tom Aspaul on upcoming album, Cabin Fever

Singer and songwriter from Wolverhampton, Tom Aspaul, talks to Midlands Rainbow about his upcoming album, Cabin Fever.

Apr 83 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 71 min read

Promotional image for the musical, there is a silhouette of someone playing a fiddle, and beneath them it reads: Fiddler on the Roof

Olivier Award-winning Fiddler on the Roof coming to Birmingham

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Fiddler on the Roof, which comes to Birmingham later this year, has picked up several Olivier Awards

Apr 61 min read

Image shows a colourful children's classroom with desks and plastic blue chairs, in the background, trays with stationary folders etc. can be seen

Data highlights Birmingham primary schools in suspensions and exclusions for homophobia and transphobia

Department of Education data reveals homophobic & transphobic abuse resulting in suspensions in Birmingham primary schools has increased

Apr 53 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 42 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 42 min read

Image shows a promotional picture for the show. The image reads: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice 1936 directed by Brigid Larmour starring Tracy-Ann Oberman as the first female Shylock

Review: Merchant of Venice 1936 at Birmingham Rep

Merchant of Venice 1936 transports Shakespeare's original text to the 1930s, starring Tracy-Ann Oberman as the first female Shylock

Apr 32 min read

Image shows the poster promo for Ghost. There is an image of two people embracing, which is surrounded by a glowing effect. The poster reads: Believe. Bill Kenwright presents Ghost the Musical. It also lists books and lyrics etc. which can be found online

Review: Ghost The Musical at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Based on the hit Paramount Pictures film, written by Bruce Joel Rubin, Ghost: The Musical is an adaption of the screenplay for stage.

Apr 22 min read

Kate Butch in a red and brunette wig and red dress, she is coming through a window, holding the cartains apart

Review: Kate Butch Wuthering Shites at The Old Joint Stock

Drag Race UK star, Kate Butch is on tour across the UK with Wuthering Shites, visiting Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock

Mar 292 min read

Baga Chipz is a drag queen wearing exaggerated make up, a blonde bob wig, and a pink dress with feathers framing the top. She has visible tattoos on her arms and holds a chip in one hand like a cigarette, between her fingers. The background of the image is a light blue.

Baga Chipz to headline Stafford Pride

Stafford Pride is returning for its second year in 2025, with Drag Race star Baga Chipz to headline

Mar 261 min read

A medical professional in blue gloves can be seen testing a blood sample under a microscope

HIV & Hepatitis Opt-out Testing Expands to all Birmingham Emergency Departments

Following the success of opt-out testing at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the scheme has been expanded to all A&E departments in Birmingham

Mar 252 min read

Photo of Vicki Vivacious. Behind Vicki is a disco ball, glittery background. She wears a black wig with wig feathers in the front, drag make-up, and a long-sleeved black and white dress with mixed patterns including zebra print, and white feathers across the front. Vicki is also wearing dangly earrings in black and white stones hanging in a diamond shape.

Drag Race Star to headline Leicestershire town's first Pride celebration

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, Vicki Vivacious, will be headlining Coalville’s first pride event.

Mar 241 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 222 min read

Peter Tatchell at Birmingham Pride talking to the Police Chief. Peter wears a blue shirt and a rainbow tie. The Police Chief wears a uniform and a rainbow flower garland around his neck.

Peter Tatchell Foundation increases pressure on West Midlands Police to apologise for historic homophobia

Peter Tatchell Foundation write to West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster demanding an apology for historic homophobia

Mar 202 min read

Image is a promotional photo for The Great Pottery Thrown Down. It shows Stephen behind a pottery wheel. He wears a checked red and black shirt, open to show a yellow t-shirt under, jeans and a beige apron for working with the clay. He is smiling, has grey hair and a beard and wears glasses.

Interview: Stephen Parkes, The Great Pottery Throw Down

Stephen Parkes, a Birmingham-based contestant on The Great Pottery Throw Down, speaks all things clay with Midlands Rainbow.

Mar 193 min read

Review: Rocky Horror Show at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Richard O'Brien's camp and wild rock 'n' roll musical, Rocky Horror Show, brings sequins, feathers and the Time Warp to Birmingham

Mar 182 min read

Image shows La Voix a drag queen and her dad also in drag as Voix La, both wear red wigs, make-up and red dress with gold tassels that replicate stage curtains

Eden Bar announces La Voix and Voix La for Pride

Eden Bar has announced that Drag Race UK season 6 star, La Voix, will be performing at the venue during Birmingham Pride weekend

Mar 151 min read

Kimberly Wyatt joins Wolverhampton Pride line-up

Kimberly Wyatt has been announced as the next name in the line-up for Wolverhampton Pride’s 2025 event.

Mar 141 min read

Marisha Wallace, Jason Manford, Michael Ball stand on stage, their arms outstretched in welcoming joy. Marisha wears a black dress, and the two men wear black suits.

Big Night of Musicals returns

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals returns in 2025, with numbers from some of the UK’s best West End and touring productions

Mar 132 min read

Image is the poster for the show. In Green text on a darker green background it reads: RSC. Edward II by Christopher Marlowe. There is a photo of two men, both are bald and wearing uniform suits. They are pressed close together, hands around each others backs and heads, and they are kissing

Review: Edward II at the RSC

Christopher Marlowe's Edward II is re-staged at the RSC's Swan Theatre in Daniel Raggett's darkly modern interpretation

Mar 122 min read

Queer-led ceilidh band for weddings, parties and more! The Rainbow Folk. Friendly, inclusive, accessible. Spreading queer joy, one ceilidh at a time!