Latest news with #BirminghamPride
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Peter Tatchell 'laughed at by police before being removed' from Birmingham Pride
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A veteran LGBTQ+ rights campaigner has claimed he was 'forcibly removed' from Birmingham Pride after police 'laughed' at him. Peter Tatchell, 73, said an officer ordered him to leave the Pride parade, claiming event organisers had requested his removal. Pride organisers have denied this, stressing to Metro that they permitted Tatchell to march. Tatchell gave a speech at the start of the parade in the West Midlands city on Saturday morning where he spoke about the arrests of gay and bisexual men before homosexuality was decriminalised in 2004. He was using a loudhailer and holding a sign reading: 'West Midlands police refuse to apologise for anti-LGBT+ witch-hunts. SHAME! #ApologiseNow' during the march. About an hour later, he set off on the march. The campaigner said he and five others from the Peter Tatchell Foundation were walking down New Street when they saw several police officers approach them. The activist said a senior officer told him to leave, saying he did not have a permit. He added he was then 'frog marched' out of the parade. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! Speaking to Metro, Tatchell said: 'The police response was to crowd around me, blowing whistles, so my message could not be heard. 'What was particularly upsetting was when I told the story of how two men attempted suicide because of police prosecution. The officers laughed in my face.' Tatchell said: 'I showed him my wristband and said, 'Here's proof I have permission, plus, I am a guest, so they would never instruct me to leave'. 'I asked the officer what the name of the Pride organiser who instructed you to remove me was. No answer.' Photographs and video taken at the parade show officers leading Tatchell out of the parade, holding him by the arms and forcing him forward. He was not arrested. Tatchell said: 'The officers dumped me on the pavement. I got the very strong impression that, if I had further resisted, I would have been arrested. 'It's sadly typical of the way in which the police across Britain are increasingly clamping down on freedom of expression and the right to protest. 'I'm just astonished that the police would dare abuse their power to fabricate allegations and to stop me making a lawful criticism.' Birmingham Pride CEO Lawrence Barton said 'categorically' that organisers allowed Tatchell to march. Barton told Metro: 'Peter was an invited guest speaker to Pride, he was asked by me to speak at the Big Free Community event and at Centenary Square to officially launch Pride. 'His foundation was officially booked through our official process. Peter's call for an apology from [West Midlands Police] is a position I support.' Before being gay was fully decriminalised, UK police forces routinely raided nightclubs, bars and saunas, particularly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Officers held stakeouts in parks and public toilets to arrest queer people for 'gross indecency', while some were convicted for public displays of affection under public order and breach of the peace laws. West Midlands Police has not formally apologised for the decades-old arrests, unlike other forces such as the Met Police. Chief Constable Craig Guildford declined to do so in 2023 when asked by Tatchell, saying the police were responsible for enforcing laws which would be viewed 'very differently today'. Tatchell said: 'There were probably 50 officers marching in the parade. Not a single one at any point expressed sorrow or regret about the way in which the LGBTQ+ community had been ill-treated in the past.' Marching alongside Tatchell was Matthew Lloyd, a member of the inclusive faith group Queer Church Birmingham. The former national co-chair of LGBT+ Labour told Metro that calling on the West Midlands Police to apologise is a 'long-standing demand in our community'. He said: 'It's disgraceful that officers forcibly removed Peter from the parade – especially under the false claim that Pride organisers had asked for it. 'This heavy-handed policing reflects a deeper problem: a lack of understanding of Pride as a protest and a deafness to the police's own history when dealing with the queer community, our venues and our safe spaces.' More Trending The force told Metro: 'We assisted security staff at the event with the removal of a man who made his way amongst people who were taking part in the parade. He was not arrested.' Asked about allegations that officers 'laughed' at Tatchell, the police said: 'West Midlands Police have not received a complaint about this but we are open to listen to any which are formally made to us.' Ahead of the parade, the police said that officers will be 'out and about keeping you safe at Birmingham Pride'. Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby said: 'Our officers are there to support you, so please do speak to them if you have any concerns about safety – or feel free to just say hello.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Pillion review – I experienced one of the filthiest films I've ever seen at Cannes MORE: Plans to ban Pride events in Hungary criticised by 17 other countries MORE: 'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that'
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Absolutely breathtaking' gush fans as Una Healy busts a move on stage in ‘amazing' outfit with plunging neckline
UNA Healy busted a move on stage wearing an "amazing" outfit with a plunging neckline. The former Saturdays star performed at Birmingham Pride's 2025 parade last weekend. 3 Una Healy performed at Birmingham Pride Festival last week Credit: Instagram / @unahealy 3 Una shared a video of herself getting ready for her performance on Instagram Credit: Instagram / @unahealy 3 Una's fans were all left gushing over her Credit: Instagram / @unahealy The popular gig is a huge event in the city calendar with 75,000 flocking to the streets of Centenary Square to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The Tipperary beauty strutted her stuff on the main stage on Saturday, May 24. The 43-year-old popped on a pair of black mini shorts with tassels attached. read more on una healy The mum-of-two had a very glam makeup look on and wore her hair down curly. She finished off her stage look wearing a long colourful matching cloak. Una shared a video of herself getting ready backstage and performing with her backing dancers in front of the excited crowd over on Instagram. She captioned her post: "Thank you @birminghampridefestivalfor having me! So much fun on stage with @aaronrenfree @jacobmann14 @dannycoburnn @_lewisharrison._ and the audience was amazing!! read more on the irish sun "Thank you @aaronrenfree for doing such an incredible job of putting the show together and @glambysuziefor my make-up and capturing all the content. "So excited we get to do it all again next week at @mightyhoopla." Una Healy shows off hair transformation Una's friends and fans were blown away by her post and flooded her with compliments. Cliona commented: "Go girl." One follower said: "You look absolutely breathtaking!" Chantelle wrote: "Hotttieeee." Heather remarked: "Obsessed with this look!" HEALY HOT Una revealed her " The Saturdays star only recently got new mid-length However, the Tipperary beauty has completely switched up her look - and this time she did it herself. Una decided to dye her hair red using Garnier's Olia Red Lacquers glossy finish hair dye in shade 7.25. The mum-of-two recorded herself doing her hair and shared it on Instagram. She started off the video saying: "Ready for a red-hot transformation?"
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Worcester LGBT group celebrate at huge pride parade
A WORCESTER LGBT group marched alongside thousands in a huge pride parade in Birmingham. Members of Worcester LGBT, which focuses on supporting people who are seeking asylum, marched as part of the Birmingham Pride parade through the streets of the major city, from the city centre to the LGBTQ+ village. Led by members adorned in vibrant attire and pride flags, the group carried a banner, which said: "We stand together. Fight for gay rights." READ MORE: 'I fear I might be killed if I am forced to return home because I'm gay' READ MORE: Worcester LGBTQ+ community hit out at legal definition of woman ruling READ MORE: 'It's incredibly sad and scary' - Worcester protests definition of woman ruling Mazedul Hasan Shakil, founder and chairman of the group, said photographs snapped at the event showcase Worcester LGBT's mission to support and celebrate the community. "The photographs capture Worcester LGBT's participation in the parade, highlighting our mission to empower and support the LGBTQ+ community, including asylum seekers, through advocacy, community engagement, and safe spaces," he said. "These images were taken during our official involvement in the event, showcasing our members' celebration and sense of belonging." Birmingham Pride 2025 took place on Saturday and Sunday (May 24 and 25) with performances by Clean Bandit, Cascada and Bananarama. The parade took place on Saturday and is described as "one of the most important aspects of the entire festival weekend".
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Birmingham Pride to go 'back to roots' after new home search
Birmingham Pride said it is "working with the community" to secure the future of the LGBT+ festival after efforts to find a permanent home failed. Director Lawrence Barton said the festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year to the city, would be "returning to its roots" as a smaller, more community-focused event in 2026. This year is the last that Pride can use the Smithfield regeneration site for its ticketed music festival, which attracts up to 20,000 people per day and begins on Saturday. From next year, the site won't be available as it gears up for redevelopment. Birmingham City Council said it had been in regular contact with organisers and would continue to work with them to help secure its future. Earlier this month, King Charles' property company, the Crown Estate, struck a deal with Australian firm Lendlease to back the £1.8bn Smithfield redevelopment. Mr Barton said efforts to find a replacement site had proved difficult."We explored a number of potential locations for a permanent home for Birmingham Pride's arena, including extensive talks with Birmingham City Council," he said."They were unable to suggest a viable alternative that met the festival's requirements for scale, accessibility and long-term sustainability."The entrepreneur, who runs LGBT+ venues The Village Inn and The Nightingale Club in the city, added: "We will be working closely with the community on a number of transformational initiatives that will shape the next chapter of Birmingham Pride. "It's not about scaling back, it's about returning to our roots and putting community impact at the heart of everything we do." The authority said Smithfield had been a great site for Pride and recognised the important role it had played in the festival's said this year's event was meaningful, as it was the final event at the site before the next phase of transformation every stage, the development is being shaped to be welcoming and inclusive, reflecting the energy, creativity and diversity of Birmingham's communities—including the spirit of Pride itself."We're proud to have played a small part in hosting Birmingham Pride over the years, and we'll continue to work closely with the organisers and the wider community as Smithfield evolves." 'Trans community is still ignored' Birmingham Pride began in 1997 as a free community event but in recent years has grown into one of the city's largest festivals, with a ticketed music programme and a free parade. This year, some political parties were banned from marching over what organisers said were "growing concerns about the role political parties have played in fuelling a climate of hostility towards trans individuals".Organisers of the annual LGBT+ festival added Labour, the only party booked to march at the parade on Saturday, were told they cannot do said it would "continue to protect the trans community", adding laws to protect trans people in the UK's top court concluded in April a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities 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."
ITV News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Birmingham Pride 2025: Who is performing and where is it taking place in the city?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Birmingham for the city's 2025 Pride, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities. The two-day festival takes place on Saturday 24th May and Sunday 25th May. Organisers say the event, which is in its 28th year, could attract around 40,000 people over the weekend. In previous years, more than 25,000 people have attended across both days, with 8000 participants in the parade and an estimated 75,000 people watching throughout the city. This year, political parties are banned from participating, due to controversy over the Supreme Court's ruling that excludes trans women from the legal definition of a 'woman'. When and where is the parade? The whole event begins with the parade, which kicks off at noon on Saturday, 24 May, from Centenary Square. Participants are encouraged to arrive at the starting point at 11am. The parade will make its way through the city centre and end in Birmingham's Gay Village, where the main festival activities will be held. The theme this year is 'Love has no limits', and anyone can watch the parade for free. Applications to enter the parade have now closed. What happens after the parade? A street party will take place over Saturday and Sunday in the Gay Village: Hurst Street, Bromsgrove Street, Kent Street and Lower Essex Street. There will be community market stalls and food vendors around the city's LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. At the Smithfield festival site in Digbeth there will be performances on the main stage, dance arena, cabaret stage and community stage. Is it free? The parade is free but the street party in the Gay Village and performances at Smithfield will be ticketed. Children who are 11 and under go free, but will still need to book a ticket for these areas. There is a free community event at Smithfield on Friday (23 May), which will involve speakers, live music and food stalls. Although the event is free, tickets still need to be booked online. Since the first charged-for event in 2015, the Birmingham festival has been awarding grants to LGBTQ+ communities and support organisations, as well as other culture groups and charities. Who is in the line-up for the main stage? Those confirmed to perform on the main stage this year include: Clean Bandit Cascada Bananarama Vengaboys Alexandra Burke Claire Richards The Wanted Una Healy Clementine Douglas Moonchild Sanelly Kitty Scott-Claus Catty Tom Rasmussen Tribute acts will be performing on other stages. Why are political parties banned this year? Organisers have banned political parties from participating in Birmingham Pride in 2025, due to controversy over the Supreme Court's ruling that the legal definition of a 'woman' is based on biological sex, excluding trans women. It joined hands with Brighton, London and Manchester Pride organisers in calling for all political parties to protect trans people. In a statement, Birmingham Pride said: "What is happening here in the UK is not isolated. It is part of a disturbing global trend - from banning of Pride events in Hungary to anti-trans legislation in the United States - where LGBTQ+ rights are being systematically rolled back." It added: "Know that this is not a symbolic gesture. It is a direct call for accountability and a refusal to platform those who have not protected our rights. We demand real commitments and measurable progress." The Prime Minister has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, saying it brings "clarity" but said his government will "ensure trans people are treated with respect".
