Birmingham Pride held its first event in the heart of the gay village back in May, 1997. Thirty years later, in 2027, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary – three decades of Pride, progress, community and the continuing fight for equality.

From those early beginnings, Birmingham Pride has grown to become one of the UK’s most important LGBTQ+ events. Today, more than 20,000 people attend the festival across the weekend, while more than 75,000 witness the high profile  Birmingham Pride Parade as it makes its way through the streets of the city with over 7000 people participating in some way. 

Our 30th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate how far our community has come, while recognising that there is still much more to achieve.

Over the 30 years of Birmingham Pride’s history, the LGBTQ+ community has witnessed and helped drive some of the most significant changes in equality and legislation in modern British history. These include the repeal of Section 28, the decriminalisation of sexual activity between men, the introduction of civil partnerships, the Equality Act 2010, the legalisation of same-sex marriage and the introduction of greater legal protections against discrimination.

These achievements represent generations of campaigning, activism, courage and determination from LGBTQ+ people and our allies. Pride has provided an important platform for that activism – bringing communities together, challenging discrimination and ensuring that LGBTQ+ voices are heard.

But progress cannot be taken for granted. LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination, prejudice, hate and inequality, and many within our communities still face barriers to living freely and safely as themselves.

Our aim is to play a leading role in building a community where everyone is free to live without fear, prejudice or discrimination. We strive for equality for all as part of an evolving global Pride movement, while recognising and celebrating the diversity that exists within our own communities.

Birmingham Pride’s work extends beyond the annual festival. Through our year-round projects, partnerships and community engagement, we are committed to improving lives, empowering LGBTQ+ people across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, and challenging injustice, inequality and discrimination wherever it exists.

As we celebrate 30 years of Birmingham Pride, we look not only at how far we have come, but at how far we still have to go.

30 years of Pride. 30 years of progress. Still fighting for equality.