Birmingham Pride: Midlands' biggest LGBTQ+ event returns for 2021
Organisers are promising to make this year's event the 'biggest Pride ever'
Last updated 24th Sep 2021
The Midlands' biggest LGBTQ+ event is back with the return of Birmingham Pride this weekend.
Last year's event was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but organisers have pledged to make this year's Pride bigger and better than ever.
Birmingham Pride held its first event in 1997 and has since become one of the largest of its kind in the UK.
It attracts around 100,000 people from across the West Midlands and the UK every year.
The theme of this year's event is 'Stronger Together', representing the need for LGBTQ+ communities to pull together to face down hate and discrimination.
Organiser Dan Brown told us:
"It feels absolutely insane to be back after what feels like forever... what's more is its a weekend a lot of people look forward to to be themselves and express themselves and feel free"
"They haven't had that for two years."
"Within lockdown people realised how important Pride is... because Pride is a protest at the end of the day"
"Just being yourself on the streets holding your partner's hand.... I think people have missed having that freedom.
Pride kicks off tonight (Friday 24 September) from 7pm with a Free Community Pride event at the heart of the Pride Village.
It includes live entertainment, community focussed stalls and LGBTQ+ performers.
A candlelit vigil will also be held.
The cornerstone of Birmingham Pride is the parade, which takes on special resonance this year as it will be one of the only Pride parades held in the UK in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions.
The parade is free for all to attend, gathering in Victoria Square at around 11am. The march to the LGBTQ+ village starts at 12pm.
Where is Pride happening this year?
Birmingham Pride 2021 will take place in Birmingham's Gay Village, with the main stage in an all-new area called 'Smithfield Live'.
Smithfield Live was previously the location of Birmingham Wholesale Markets and now will play host to Birmingham Pride's biggest-ever main stage, the cabaret stage, the dance arena and the fun fair, street food stalls, seating areas, VIP zones and much more:
The Main Stage, Cabaret Stage and Dance Arena are all located at the new Smithfield Live venue. See a map below:
The area around Hurst Street, close to the Hippodrome, is being transformed into a 'Street Party' zone.
It features easy access to some of the biggest LGBTQ+ venues including Equator, The Fox, The Loft, Missing Bar, Nightingale Club and Sidewalk Bar.
The Community Village Green will provide a quieter, family friendly space in the heart of the Pride Village.
Who's performing at Pride - and when?
Birmingham Pride 2021 features a packed lineup, including Clean Bandit, Jax Jones, Raye, Cheryl, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Baga Chipz and legends such as Sister Sledge, Boney M, and Black Box.
There'll also be appearances from many more international and local LGBTQ artists and key speakers.
See the official Birmingham Pride stage times below:
Police pledge solidarity with Pride attendees
Yesterday, The Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands pledged to show 'zero tolerance' to anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime.
Stats show that last year there were reports of 1,188 hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in the West Midlands.
The PCC and West Midlands Police officers will be part of the Pride parade tomorrow, while the force will have a high profile presence at the event.
“Abuse, hate and violence against LGBTQ+ people is unacceptable and I am committed to the prevention and elimination of hate crime including homophobia, biphobia and transphobia", said PCC Simon Foster.
“We must encourage and facilitate the reporting of hate crime, ensure the perpetrators are held to account via the criminal justice system and provide the right support at the right time to victims of hate related crime."
How can I get tickets?
Tickets are available at the gate throughout the weekend. You can also get them on the Birmingham Pride website.