Written by Erin Molloy-Brookes
Birmingham Pride returns this weekend, with events spanning Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
More than 75,000 people are expected to participate in and watch the parade this year.
The 28th anniversary of Birmingham Pride
The first Birmingham Gay Pride Weekend took place in 1977, across two days featuring dances and a march through Birmingham city centre. By the 1980s, gay festivals were being held in the city annually, taking place in the Gay Village across various gay bars and clubs.
Birmingham Pride held its first official event in 1997, marking this year as the 28th anniversary of the celebration.
Over the decades, Birmingham Pride has transformed from a small march into one of the UK’s most significant LGBTQ+ events.
Birmingham Pride continues to be a safe space for celebrating and creating a sense of connection for the LGBTQ+ community.
What to expect this weekend
This year’s theme is ‘Love Has No Limits’, which Birmingham Pride says celebrates the “vibrant tapestry of our diverse community.” The festival will feature headline performances from Clean Bandit, The Wanted and Cascada on Saturday, with Vengaboys and Bananarama closing the weekend on Sunday.
The parade will gather at 11:00am BST at Centenary Square, setting off at 12:00pm and moving through Birmingham city centre before ending in the Gay Village, which will host the main street festival.
Pride with purpose
Birmingham Pride became a paid event in 2015, and since then has been a key fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ community, having awarded over £335,000 to LGBTQ+ community groups, support organisations, arts and culture, sporting groups, charities and more.
Organisers have also worked to ensure the festival is accessible and inclusive for all, featuring BSL interpreters, quiet zones and accessible viewing platforms.
As Birmingham Pride celebrates both its history and future, with thousands gathering over the weekend, the event stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and solidarity in the city.
