Birmingham Pride is committed to help improve the lives and experiences of the LGBTQ+
community in Birmingham and wider West Midlands.
Since the first paid for Birmingham Pride event back in 2015, the festival is proud to have
awarded in excess of £500,000 to deserving, local community and support groups, providing
much needed funds for essential services within our community.
Your contribution to Birmingham Pride has helped to raise over £275k for LGBTQ+ projects,
plus in excess of £105k in additional subsidies for LGBTQ+ organisations.
UP TO £1000
A+A SERVICES WEST MIDLANDS
‘BEAUTIFUL BOY’ play. Dan Hagley. Educational Theatre project.
BIRMINGHAM LGBT (2020-21)
BIRMINGHAM LGBT VOLUNTEERTING GROUP
BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (2nd Award)
BRUM BI GROUP
BL GBT VOLUTARY
CITY YOGA PROJECT
ENPOWER LGBT FAMILIES
GENERATION Q
LGBT YOUTH GROUP
PINK SOU’WESTERS. (2nd Award)
POSITIVE PEERS, BIRMINGHAM
RAINBOW BRIDGE
RAINBOW POOCH PRIDE
RAINBOW VOICES. (2nd Award)
SHOUT FESTIVAL. (1st Award)
SHOUT FESTIVAL. (2nd Award)
St.BASILS.
TRANS MASCULINE BIRMINGHAM
UP TO £5000
BEAVER VOICES
BOOT WOMEN
BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. (1st Award)
BIRMINGHAM LGBT TRANS INCLUSION PROJECT
BIRMINGHAM SWIFTS
BIRMINGHAM BLAZE FC
BRUM LGBTQ WRITERS
GLBT ALCOHOL SUPPORT
LGBT NETWORK, Wolverhampton. Mental health work.
PARKLANDS HOMELESSNESS PROJECT
INTEGREAT THEATRE
VILLA & PROUD
SIFA FIRESIDE
SHROPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL
ST JOHN AMBULANCE SERVICE
X2Y LGBT YOUTH GROUP
MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE
WOLVERHAMPTON LGBT
£5000 – £10,000
BIRMINGHAM OPEN MEDIA
BIRMINGHAM 2GBT COUNSELLING
BIRMINGHAM HIV AIDS MEMORIAl
BIRMINGHAM BALLS
EDUCATE & CELEBRATE, School projects
OUTSPOKEN, B’ham School of Acting
PARKFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL
PINK SOU’WESTERS. (1st Award)
PETER TATCHELL FOUNDATION
JOURNEY LGBT ASYLUM SEEKERS. (2nd Award)
£10,000 plus
JOURNEY MCC, Asylum group. (1st Award)
ST BASILS
RAINBOW VOICES. (1st Award)
SOBER PRIDE
£20,000 plus
SIFA FIRESIDE
BIRMINGHAM LGBT CENTRE
BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra is a community music making open organisation welcoming all levels of ability for those who identify as Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Straight or other. As a result, they have become a well-rounded group of musicians from a range of backgrounds and life experiences coming together to make music and celebrate diversity. The BGSO puts on three varied concerts a year which demonstrates their love of a wide range of music. The grant was to assist with the staging of a kickstarter musicians community event.
BIRMINGHAM LGBT VOLUNTEERING GROUP
Volunteers form an essential part of the team providing the range of services supporting the operation of the LGBT Centre. Located on Holloway Circus, in Birmingham city centre, the Centre offers a range of sexual health and other wellbeing services for the LGBT community, its holistic services range from regular support groups, peer mentoring, counselling sessions and sexual health testing and clinics. Volunteers can also support the work of the Birmingham LGBT as and when required carrying out a meet and greet role at events such as the Shout Festival, Pink Picnic and Pride events.
BIRMINGHAM LGBT CENTRE
The city’s leading charity advocating for and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in Birmingham and beyond, offering a range of services & activities for the LGBT community – including sexual health, events, domestic violence, counselling, support, fitness, arts & more…
BOOTWOMEN
Walking group for women, primarily lesbians, based in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
BRUM BI GROUP
A safe and friendly social and peer support group for bisexual people aged 18+
INTEGREAT THEATRE
A community theatre company for Deaf & hearing adults based in Birmingham that run workshops & produces theatre shows & performances.
JOURNEY LGBT ASYLUM SEEKERS
Journey MCC set up this support group due to a lack of general provision for LGBTQ asylum seekers in Birmingham, many of whom were afraid or unable to identify as LGBTQ through fear of persecution in their home country and were seeking asylum in the UK. Participants have been
deeply traumatised by either fleeing their own country in fear of their life (for example
asylum seekers from Africa in particular) or by the treatment they have received in
processing their application in the UK. The group offers funding for travel, meals, emergency funds for toiletries etc, room rentals for meetings, office & admin costs, and providing support through dedicated support workers for advice on issues regarding benefits, housing, documentation, application and appeals process, housing issues etc.
LGBT YOUTH GROUP
PINK SOU’WESTERS
Pink Sou’westers offer a range of accessible, affordable, inclusive, non-scene events and activities open to all lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people and their guests, regardless of age or area of residence attracting participants from all over Birmingham and beyond. The group caters for a broad range of participants with a diverse range of interests, rather than a specific gender, age range, or sports, arts or other focus. Pink Sou’westers aim is to provide access for LGBT people to engage in a range of stimulating, creative, social, leisure, support and educational activities which will promote physical, mental and emotional health and well-being while also countering the potential isolation and loneliness which LGBTs may experience. The grant was to assist with the research, planning and hosting of a wide range of events.
POSITIVE PEERS
Positive Peers are people living with HIV that receivecare and treatment as outpatients at UHB in Birmingham. They are trained Peer Mentors who can understand the concerns and fears from their own personal diagnoses and experiences. Whilst not medically trained, they have complete empathy and offer advice and support. Positive Peers have mentors of different age, gender and background.
RAINBOW BRIDGE
Rainbow bridge is an LGBTQ networking group to support and enable people, describing itself as ‘a bridge across the rainbow, bringing groups services and events together for anything from an art class, coffee mornings, history talks or a visits. The group goes out into the community to reach the vulnerable, isolated and lonely to show them the friendly face of the LGBTQ community. They have visited hospices, care homes, law institutions, museums, art galleries, hospitals to name but a few.
RAINBOW POOCH PRIDE
Rainbow Pooch Pride is a network, membership-driven, hub that brings the LGBTQIA+ community together through their shared love of dogs. Communicating globally and facilitating local group activity, the organisation champions dogs as emotional support animals and acknowledge them in positive service to LGBTQIA+ lives. RPP coordinate and provide dog-friendly social events, educate LGBTQIA+ individuals in dog welfare and responsible dog ownership, and coordinate a thriving network of volunteers.
RAINBOW VOICES
Rainbow Voices is the only West Midlands choir for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people and their friends. They are an inclusive singing group with members across all ages, who come together to celebrate diversity in song, with public performances and weekly rehearsal meetings.
SHOUT FESTIVAL
SHOUT is Birmingham’s Annual Festival of Queer Art & Culture Taking place at venues across the city, SHOUT celebrates and platforms the work of LGBTQ+ artists and communities. SHOUT ignites debate, inspires discussion, increases representation and showcases the work of queer artists across the city.
St. BASILS
St Basils is the largest charity preventing youth homelessness across the West Midlands and campaigning nationally to give young people a voice. St Basils has a full range of prevention, accommodation, support and engagement services as well as services which aim to ensure young people develop the skills and have the support needed to move on successfully.
BEAUTIFUL BOY – STAGING THE PLAY Educational Theatre project.
This application supported the research and development phase of Beautiful Boy, a new educational theatre project exploring LGBT issues with lower secondary pupils and their families. The hard hitting sixty minute play, which examines the impact of homophobic bullying, was written by Birmingham based writer/performer Dan Hagley. The piece has been informed by both a large amount of research and the writers own experiences of homophobia. Each performance was to be followed by a thirty minute facilitated discussion.
BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra is a community music making open organisation welcoming all levels of ability for those who identify as Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Straight or other. As a result, they have become a well-rounded group of musicians from a range of backgrounds and life experiences coming together to make music and celebrate diversity. The BGSO puts on three varied concerts a year which demonstrates their love of a wide range of music. The grant was to assist with the staging of a kickstarter musicians community event.
BIRMINGHAM OPEN MEDIA
BOM is a centre for art, technology and science dedicated to creative innovation with purpose located in central Birmingham. Its gallery is free to enter and presents cutting edge digital artworks and exhibitions that spark debate about technology and scientific progress. BOM is dedicated to positive social impact, its exhibitions & events explore topical issues in digital culture and science which impact on human lives. BOM’s education work engages excluded children, young people and adults in creative technology programmes, with a particular interest in neurodiversity & technology.
BIRMINGHAM SWIFTS.
Birmingham Swifts is a running club for the LGBT community in Birmingham created in 2014. It aims to enable people with a wide range of abilities to participate in running, increase exercise and sporting opportunities for the LGBT community, combat homophobia and all other forms of discrimination, and to improve individuals’ running ability in a safe and friendly environment through training, competitions and socials. The grant was to fund courses toward qualifications in leadership & coaching in running, and also for running clothing gear and printing costs.
BLGBT CENTRE, Trans Support work
The grant was for numerous Trans support groups and initiatives at the Birmingham LGBT Centre, including monthly support groups, youth group meetings, confidence workshops, coaching and the co-ordination and facilitation of various events and activities, including Trans Fest.
CITY YOGA PROJECT
City Yoga has been successfully delivering Yoga classes in Birmingham since 2010, including at the LGBT Centre in the city, and the City Yoga Project was established to build on the success and impact of this strand of work. The City Yoga Project is a not-for-profit organisation consisting of a small group of individuals who are committed to the provision of yoga and well-being services with an emphasis on targeting LGBT communities and promoting the accessibility of those services to all.
EDUCATE & CELEBRATE, School projects.
An organisation with the mission to equip individuals & communities with the knowledge, skills and confidence to embed gender, gender identity and sexual orientation into the fabric of organisations. Educate & Celebrate focuses on the experiences, representation and inclusion of LGBT+ people. Its experienced team of teachers and youth workers have all made their own schools LGBT+ Friendly, giving them the knowledge to deliver the programme across the UK, Channel Islands, Europe and globally. The team continue to develop resources and programmes responding to the needs of young people, teachers and families.
GLBT ALCOHOL SUPPORT
Support group for the those in the Midlands LGBT community with issues relating to alcohol.
JOURNEY MCC, Asylum group
Journey MCC set up this support group due to a lack of general provision for LGBTQ asylum seekers in Birmingham, many of whom were afraid or unable to identify as LGBTQ through fear of persecution in their home country and were seeking asylum in the UK. Participants have been
deeply traumatised by either fleeing their own country in fear of their life (for example
asylum seekers from Africa in particular) or by the treatment they have received in
processing their application in the UK. The group offers funding for travel, meals, emergency funds for toiletries etc, room rentals for meetings, office & admin costs, and providing support through dedicated support workers for advice on issues regarding benefits, housing, documentation, application and appeals process, housing issues etc.
LGBT NETWORK / EMPOWER LGBT FAMILIES, Wolverhampton
Project offering Health Support & Mental Health Empowerment in Wolverhampton. Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Communities, offering support & advice for LGBT parents, those starting a family and for young people with LGBT parents.
LGBT NETWORK, Mental health work
LGBT Network Wolverhampton offers a host of support services developed in response to local need including services for older LGBT people and a mental health support group for which the funding was awarded.
OUTSPOKEN, B’ham School of Acting
Grant to fund the staging of a musical theatre production entitled ‘Heterophobia’ at the Midland Arts Centre. Devised and performed by Outspoken, a company of graduates and students from BSA’s Applied Performance course, ‘Heterophobia’ tells the story of Ryan, a 15 year-old heterosexual male who is trying to ‘come out’
PARKFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL
The grant was to develop Parkfield Community School as a lead practitioner and training hub for diversity education in Primary Schools, with the aim to role this out across the city to give children a real understanding of the diverse communities that exist in Birmingham including the LGBT community. The initiative was to give schools across Birmingham strategies to promote the ethos behind the Equality Act, including strands based on sexual orientation and gender identity and for Parkfield Community School to become recognised as a centre of excellence in diversity education and challenging homophobia. This would then be made available to schools across the city as a hub for training and reference, a resource available across the city for schools to use to promote the Equality Act in their settings.
PINK SOU’WESTERS
Pink Sou’westers offer a range of accessible, affordable, inclusive, non-scene events and activities open to all lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people and their guests, regardless of age or area of residence attracting participants from all over Birmingham and beyond. The group caters for a broad range of participants with a diverse range of interests, rather than a specific gender, age range, or sports, arts or other focus. Pink Sou’westers aim is to provide access for LGBT people to engage in a range of stimulating, creative, social, leisure, support and educational activities which will promote physical, mental and emotional health and well-being while also countering the potential isolation and loneliness which LGBTs may experience. The grant was to assist with the research, planning and hosting of a wide range of events.
RAINBOW VOICES
Rainbow Voices is the only West Midlands choir for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people and their friends. They are an inclusive singing group with members across all ages, who come together to celebrate diversity in song, with public performances and weekly rehearsal meetings.
SHOUT FESTIVAL
SHOUT is Birmingham’s Annual Festival of Queer Art & Culture Taking place at venues across the city, SHOUT celebrates and platforms the work of LGBTQ+ artists and communities. SHOUT ignites debate, inspires discussion, increases representation and showcases the work of queer artists across the city.
SHROPSHIRE RAINBOW FILM FESTIVAL
Organisation that puts together an annual LGBTQ+ film festival, researching and sourcing films (both features and shorts) that fit in with their aims to entertain, educate, challenge and change. The small team liaises with venues to organise a programme of movie screenings, whilst obtaining film licenses, fundraising, promoting the events and monitoring the latest audience trends & movie news. The organisation crafts a programme that includes stand alone film events as well as screenings that are hosted in conjunction with other events or organisations, eg: LGBT History Month. The team works closely with local venues ensuring screening films to the highest standards.
SIFA FIRESIDE
Digbeth based SIFA Fireside is an organisation working with homeless people and those in alcohol recovery. Other services include emergency accommodation and resettlement, employment support, educational activities, practical help, beverages and food, health support, including mental health and well-being and counselling. The grant enabled a counselling service to be targeted towards people in the LGBT community, not only from SIFA Fireside’s homeless clients, but others who felt isolated or vulnerable.
X2Y LGBT YOUTH GROUP, Wolverhampton
Supports young people in Wolverhampton and surrounding areas who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or questioning their sexuality or gender identity (LGBTQ+). The group provides counselling, empowering individuals, focusing on preservation and protection of physical and mental health, providing training and promoting social inclusion.
BEAVER VOICES
ST JOHN AMBULANCE SERVICE
Volunteer-led health and first aid charity – responding to emergencies, supporting communities and saving lives.
Community Access (2013 – 2019)
AB+: Birmingham based HIV & AIDS support charity
ACTION FOR CHILDREN: Action for Children is a children’s charity created to help vulnerable children and young people, and their families, in the UK.
ACTING OUT: An open and diverse theatre and social group, based in Birmingham to provide the LGBT community and friends with a fun, relevant and interactive theatre experience
ALCOHOLICSS ANONYMOUS LGBT: Self-described as a mutual aid fellowship, providing support, advice, and companionship for people struggling with alcoholism and alcohol abuse, providing meetings and other forms of support.
ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY: The UK’s care, support and research charity for people with dementia and their carers, improving the lives Of people with dementia, helping families cope. Funding research.
AMNESTY BIRMINGHAM: Leading human rights organisation, campaigning against injustice and inequality across the globe.
BEEHIVE: HIV support services in Dudley
BIRMINGHAM BLAZE: Birmingham Blaze FC is Birmingham’s LGBTQ+-friendly community football team taking part in regular matches and training sessions.
BIRMINGHAM CHILDRENS TRUST: Birmingham Children’s Trust Fostering and Adoption Agencies work to find safe, loving and stable homes for the almost 2000 children that are in our care at any one time.
BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS: Birmingham Museums Trust is the largest independent charitable trust of museums in the United Kingdom. It runs nine museum sites across the city.
BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra is a community music making open organisation welcoming all levels of ability for those who identify as Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Straight or other.
BIRMINGHAM LGBT CENTRE: The city’s leading charity advocating for and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in Birmingham and beyond, offering a range of services & activities for the LGBT community – including sexual health, events, domestic violence, counselling, support, fitness, arts & more…
BIRMINGHAM MIND: The largest independent mental health charity providing services in and beyond Birmingham.
BIRMINGHAM OPEN MEDIA: BOM is a centre for art, technology and science dedicated to creative innovation with purpose located in central Birmingham. Its gallery is free to enter and presents cutting edge digital artworks and exhibitions that spark debate about technology and scientific progress. BOM is dedicated to positive social impact, its exhibitions & events explore topical issues in digital culture and science which impact on human lives. BOM’s education work engages excluded children, young people and adults in creative technology programmes, with a particular interest in neurodiversity & technology.
BIRMINGHAM ST MARY’S HOSPICE: The Hospice looks after people with life-limiting illnesses. The people in their care come from many different backgrounds, careers, families, faiths, ethnicities and ages. Its dedicated expert team reflects that diversity, offering tailored and personalised support across Birmingham and Sandwell, whether in-home, in the community, or at the Hospice.
BOOTWOMEN: Walking group for women, primarily lesbians, based in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
BUILDING BIRMINGHAM SCHOLARSHIP: The Scholarship provides access to a wide range of education, employment and training opportunities for talented young people aged 16 to 24, who wish to pursue a career in the construction and built environment industries.
CAPSTONE FOSTER CARE: Company offering LGBT family & foster care, with full support and comprehensive training for those looking at fostering children in Birmingham.
CHANGE GROW LIVE: Change, Grow, Live is a national health and social care charity specialising in substance misuse and criminal justice intervention projects The organisation helps with challenges relating to drugs and alcohol, housing, justice, health and wellbeing.
CHILDRENS FAMILY TRUST: A children’s charity and Independent fostering agency with regional offices across the UK, working with more than 100 Local Authorities supporting foster carers and children.
CLASSIC CARS: Owners & enthusiasts group for classic cars
CRIMESTOPPERS / FEARLESS: Fearless is Crimestopper’s youth service aimed at 11-16 year olds. It is tasked with increasing awareness of the dangers surrounding street crime, drugs and violence. Armed with a belief in the power of prevention and intervention, Fearless aims to help our future generations navigate a safe path to adulthood.
DIVERSITY ROLE MODELS: Diversity Role Models seeks to prevent homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullying in UK schools. They aim to stop bullying before it happens by educating all young people about differences in sexuality & gender identity.
EDUCATE & CELEBRATE: An organisation with the mission to equip individuals & communities with the knowledge, skills and confidence to embed gender, gender identity and sexual orientation into the fabric of organisations. Educate & Celebrate focuses on the experiences, representation and inclusion of LGBT+ people. Its experienced team of teachers and youth workers have all made their own schools LGBT+ Friendly, giving them the knowledge to deliver the programme across the UK.
FINDING A VOICE/ BHAM SOUTH ASIANS LGBT: Support group for South Asian LGBT+ communities in Birmingham and the surrounding areas, the first social support group for those aged 18+ regardless of faith or culture.
FREEDOM FROM TORTURE: A British registered charity which provides therapeutic care for survivors of torture who seek protection in the UK. Since it was established in 1985, over 57,000 survivors of torture have been referred to the organisation for help
INTEGREAT THEATRE: A community theatre company for Deaf & hearing adults based in Birmingham that run workshops & produce theatre shows & performances.
GENDER MATTERS: Gender Matters is an international provider of gender and human rights consultancy services.
MANOR VETS: Local veterinary company
MERMAIDS UK: Mermaids has been supporting transgender, nonbinary & gender diverse children, young people & their families since 1995. Mermaids has evolved into one of the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ charities, empowering thousands of people with its secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events & residential weekends..
NATIONAL EXPRESS: Company that runs buses across the West Midlands network & national coach network across the UK.
NEXUS FOSTERING: A well-established fostering agency that was set up and is run by social workers who are deeply committed to exceptionally high quality placements leading to the best possible outcomes for children and young people. Recognised by Ofsted with an Outstanding rating.
NIGHTLIFE OUTREACH: Organisation with the mission to prevent harm from substance misuse and support our community’s mental wellbeing after addiction through education and training.
NSPCC / CHILDLINE: NSPCC’s Childline service is there to give young people a voice when no one else is listening. Whatever problems or dangers they are facing, Childline offers a place for them to turn for support, any time of the day or night.
OUTDOOR LADS: A friendly group of gay, bisexual & trans men who get together to enjoy adventures and activities. The events are run by volunteers all over the UK and also organise expeditions worldwide.
PAPYRUS: Prevention of Young Suicide is there to support any young person who might be experiencing thoughts of suicide, regardless of sexual orientation and/ or gender identity. As a charity, they stand with the LGBTQIA+ community, with a suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINEUK.
RAINBOW FILM FESTIVAL: Organisation that puts together an annual LGBTQ+ film festival, researching and sourcing films (both features and shorts) that fit in with their aims to entertain, educate, challenge and change. The small team liaises with venues to organise a programme of movie screenings, whilst obtaining film licenses, fundraising, promoting the events and monitoring the latest audience trends & movie news.
RAINBOW ROUTES: Midlands based LGBT group
ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING: The Royal College of Nursing is a registered trade union for those in the profession of nursing.
SANDWELL FOSTERING: Sandwell’s Fostering Service is part of Sandwell Children’s Trust and are dedicated to supporting foster carers and finding new people who want to step forward and foster with them.
SAVING LIVES: Saving Lives has teamed up with Brook, Terrence Higgins Trust, and the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in a bid to provide sexual health services across Birmingham.
SIFA FIRESIDE: An organisation working with homeless people and those in alcohol recovery. Other services include emergency accommodation and resettlement, employment support, educational activities, practical help, beverages and food, health support, including mental health and well-being and counselling.
SOLDIERS OFF THE STREET: Registered charity with a dedicated group of people determined to help the ex service personnel whose lives have been affected by homelessness. The charity helps all ex-service personnel, be it Army, RAF and RN – both past and present conflicts, who have been affected by the traumatic experience of war. The charity works with homeless ex service personnel with provision of clothing, food and rehabilitation, including advice on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, alcoholism, drug abuse, housing and employment.
ST CHRISTOPHERS FELLOWSHIP FOSTER WITH US: Independent fostering agency & charity. St Christopher’s have foster carers living across the West Midlands and provide different types of foster placements, including solo placements, therapeutic placements and sibling placements.
SUMMIT HOUSE SUPPORT: Supports and empowers people affected by & living with HIV/AIDS & those in recovery from drug & alcohol issues in the LGBT community. The services are available to anyone living in Dudley, Sandwell, Birmingham and the greater West midlands area.
UNITARIAN NEW MEETING CHURCH: A liberal religious congregation worshipping in the heart of the city of Birmingham, affiliated with the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.
USDAW: The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers is a trade union in the United Kingdom, consisting of around 450,000 members.
WOW NETWORK: The WOW Network was created to represent LGBT Women in the workplace. Our aim is to support, guide and connect with LGBT women who are either out or who would like to be out at work.
* YELP: The company develops, hosts, and markets the Yelp.com website and the Yelp mobile app, which publish crowd-sourced reviews about businesses. It also operates an online reservation service called Yelp Reservations.
