Birmingham Pride returns this weekend to celebrate the city's LGBTQ+ community, featuring a parade with over 7,000 participants.
Artists including Bananarama, Alexandra Burke, Vengaboys and The Wanted will take to the stage across the event.
We spoke to the director of Birmingham Pride, Lawrence Barton, who said it was still important to have a space for the LGBTQ+ community.
“To have a space that is for our community is still very important. For some it holds a strong social and political relevance, and for others it is a party,” he said.
The parade makes it way from Centenary Square to the city’s gay village at 11am. The festival’s other events are taking place around Hurst Street, Bromsgrove Street, Kent Street and Lower Essex Street.
Lawrence Barton said: “Pride is a reflection of our city. We do see people from all different backgrounds and from different parts of different communities, and it certainly isn’t all about LGBTQI umbrella. It travels beyond that.”
“It’s quite indescribable the atmosphere that Pride creates. It is a wonderful space where people can have fun and have just the most amazing time,” he said.
Meanwhile the Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has said he will double down on tackling hate crime before the event.
“I am committed to ensuring we prevent and tackle hate crime. Hate crime is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated in the West Midlands,” he said.
Being a victim of hate crime is deeply distressing and it is a matter of serious concern to me.”
