A new dawn for Birmingham Pride

With 2025 marking the final year for Birmingham Pride’s use of the Smithfield site before development begins, it was clear that Birmingham Pride’s future would look different. Looking ahead to 2026, Birmingham Pride has announced a new chapter which will see a return to the Gay Village with a more community-focussed model.

A social media explains: “Our departure from the Smithfield site provides the ideal opportunity to reshape Birmingham Pride and consider wider community feedback.  This change reflects a wider commitment to realign Pride with its founding values of protest, inclusion, and grassroots celebration.”

In recent year’s groups including Birmingham Queers for Palestine and The Trans Tearoom have called out Birmingham Pride for its sponsorship; calling for a boycott of the event. A change, however, appears to be coming on that front too.

The statement continued: “we have taken the decision to evolve our approach to sponsorship. With HSBC UK’s title sponsorship concluding this year, we thank them for their support over the past decade. The partnership benefited local LGBTQ+ charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations across our region, enabling them to secure funding to deliver services and undertake important work in the community.

“We warmly welcome interest from other organisations that share our values and wish to play a meaningful role in the next chapter of Birmingham Pride and the Pride movement.

“Pride as a movement has always evolved, and the timing is right for further change.”

What’s more, those don’t seem to be the only changes in the works for Birmingham Pride. After the banning of political parties, who don’t align with Birmingham Pride’s stance on protecting trans rights and lives, West Midlands Police’s involvement in Pride has also been reviewed, and as a public institution, they will be banned from next year’s proceedings.

Lawrence Barton, Festival Director for Birmingham Pride stated: “I have always believed that people should be able to march and be included, regardless of where they work. This is especially true for LGBT+ officers who serve in our police forces. I recognise how upsetting and disheartening this moment is for many of them. Their identity and service deserve to be acknowledged and respected.

“But the issue is much wider than any individual officer. Pride is not just a celebration. It is a movement rooted in protest, in lived experience, and in truth. The relationship between the police and the LGBTQ+ community has been marked by trauma, mistrust, and in too many cases, abuse. This is not simply about the law as it once stood. It is about how that law was used, through acts of entrapment, harassment, and systemic discrimination that caused real harm. I have heard these stories first-hand, from people I know and from within our wider community. They stay with me."

Barton, as well as The Peter Tatchell Foundation have called on West Midlands Police to apologise for historic injustices. The Chief Constable has declined to do so.

Lawrence explains: "Without acknowledgement, there can be no meaningful reconciliation. We can and should create space for change, and we are willing to work with institutions that show genuine commitment. However, if those efforts are not forthcoming, there is only so much we can do.

“This is not about exclusion. It is about accountability, consistency, and staying true to the purpose of Pride (therefore, people from political parties and the police are welcome to attend pride as citizens) As we move into the next chapter of Birmingham Pride, our focus will remain on creating a space that is community-led, inclusive, and unafraid to challenge systems that still fall short. This is a chance for us to unite around shared values and to build something stronger, together and on our terms.”