Birmingham Pride ban political parties from the parade

Birmingham Pride has made the decision to ban some political parties from participating in this year’s parade, citing a lack of support for the trans community. Following the recent Supreme Court ruling which defined a woman by biological sex, many in the LGBTQ+ community have called for political parties, including Labour who are currently in government, to be banned from marching in Pride parades across the UK.

Birmingham Pride Parade 2024

Birmingham Pride organisers explained that the decision was a result of “growing concerns about the role political parties have played in fuelling a climate of hostility toward trans+ individuals".

Organisers added that Labour were the only political party signed up to march in the parade on Saturday 24th May, and that they were being informed that they will no longer be able to do so.

Birmingham Pride said the list of those taking part in the parade was full for 2025, and they would not be taking further applications, but added: "The position is clear, any political parties supportive of trans rights would be welcomed and those that don't are not."

A Labour spokesperson said: "The laws to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment will remain in place, and trans people will still be protected on the basis of gender reassignment—a protected characteristic written into Labour's Equality Act."

However, amid increasing hostility against the trans community, many have called out political parties for ignoring trans voices and not doing enough to protect their rights.

The Green Party have been the only political party so far to support the trans community; calling for the guidance, issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission swiftly after the Supreme Court ruling, to be withdrawn, describing it as "ill-considered and impractical".

Eva Echo, Birmingham Pride's director of innovation, said: "The trans+ community is still ignored by politicians at local and national level. For too long we've been talked over, used for political gain and forced to watch as our rights are stripped away, and our existence twisted beyond recognition.

"Those who do not fully commit themselves to supporting and protecting us throughout the year, do not have a place with us during Pride, just because it suits them."