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Author: Catherine Muxworthy

Birmingham Pride 2024 line-up to include Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tia Kofi, Louis III and Heather Small

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

Birmingham Pride has announced the first handful of names in their 2024 festival line-up, which includes Heather Small, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tia Kofi, and Louis III, all of whom will be performing over the Pride weekend held on the May bank holiday.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who recently shot back up the charts into the top 10 with Murder on the Dancefloor thanks to the hit film Saltburn, will appear on the mainstage on Sunday, May 26.

On Saturday May 25, the mainstage will host drag performer Tia Kofi, who first appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 2 and is, this year, returning to our screens in Drag Race UK vs the World season 2, airing February 9. Also gracing the stage that day will be Heather Small, whose career began as the lead singer of M People with hits including Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero, which sold millions of records in the 1990s, and earnt numerous awards.

Heather Small’s solo career also boasts the iconic track Proud which, explains Birmingham Pride: “became an anthem played during significant moments like London winning the Olympics bid, featured in a series of Oprah, and was performed by Heather at the opening ceremony of the Gay Games in Chicago.”

Joining Heather Small and Tia Kofi on Saturday’s main stage is Louis III, a dance pop artist and social media star who has surpassed over 160 million streams and amassed 660,000 TikTok followers and 107,000 Instagram followers.

Further performers for the mainstage as well as the Dance Arena, Conrad Guest Cabaret Stage, and Future Stage are still to be announced, and tickets for Birmingham Pride 2024 are on sale now.

MOBILISE to celebrate final Queer Power Party in Birmingham

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

Fatt Projects‘ MOBILISE will celebrate their final Queer Power Party (for a while) in Birmingham on Saturday, March 2. This is the last MOBILISE that Fatt Projects currently have funding to host so they are inviting local LGBTQ+ people to join them for one final dance before they take a break to figure out MOBILISE’s future.

The MOBILISE Queer Power Party is a free, joyful and accessible sober dance party and silent disco held at The Exchange, Centenary Square, Birmingham. An inclusive event, MOBILISE was created specifically to empower people to dance, take up space, feel confident and celebrate themselves. MOBILISE is a party for anyone who has felt like they don’t belong in existing LGBTQ+ nightlife spaces; they are a pro-fat, pro-trans, pro-disabled, pro-women, anti-racist, alcohol free, pro-fabulous clubbing environment.

So, MOBILISE encourages you to “Get your headphones on and get ready to get your bodies moving, lower your inhibitions, and let loose through the power of queer joy.”

As always, this space provides step-free access, a dedicated quiet space, an alcohol-free cash bar service, plenty of comfortable seating, accessible gender inclusive bathrooms, private dressing spaces, and BSL interpretation. From 8-9pm, they also offer an optional social dance session lead by some of the MOBILISE artists to help partygoers get comfortable with some simple moves. A full access statement and venue information can be found on Fatt Projects’ website.

This final event will be hosted by creative producer and drag performer Fatt Butcher, and it will feature performances throughout the night from Drag Race UK’s Ginny Lemon, cabaret performer Cocoa Kink, and waaking and vogue dancer Eric Scutaro.

Free tickets can be reserved online now.

New exhibition at Birmingham’s Back to Backs to honour drag performer, Twiggy

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

Twiggy – The Drag Market, a new exhibition at Birmingham’s National Trust Back to Backs, will explore the career and creative process behind one of the best-known personas of Birmingham’s queer scene. The new exhibition, opening January 26, will feature costumes and photography from the past 40 years, showcasing Birmingham LGBTQ+ icon, Twiggy.

This free exhibition will be located in the Back to Backs’ exhibition space above the second-hand bookshop on Hurst Street, in the heart of the city’s queer village. Previously, photos of Twiggy had already graced this space as part of the Gary Lindsay-Moore: It’s Not Unusual exhibition which featured a series of photographs by local artist Gary Lindsay-Moore, inspired by the Kahn & Bell shop.

In Twiggy – The Drag Market, visitors will follow Twiggy’s journey from inspired shop assistant in the early 1980s at the well-loved Birmingham punk shop Kahn and Bell, to the powerhouse of flamboyance they are today, defying boundaries of gender and stereotype.

Twiggy’s fearless fashion grew from a love of sewing and performance. Many outfits were inspired by 1940s Hollywood, with a particular fondness for stars such as Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Visitors can view a selection of these costumes, worn at various Pride events across the country, on show at the exhibition.

 

A highly skilled costume maker, Twiggy has been creating original and dramatic outfits themselves for over 35 years. These outfits are then brought to life through their love of theatrics and performance, piecing together music tracks, along with witty and acerbic commentary.

Ashton Cartmell, Operations Manager at the National Trust Birmingham Back to Backs, said of the exhibition: “Over the past 200 years there has been a diverse mix of communities in Birmingham’s Southside, with tailoring and fashion being a common theme and a big influence for many, including the Back to Backs last business owner, George Saunders, who ran a very successful tailors’ shop in the area. In the 1980s, the punk shop, Kahn & Bell, just a few doors away from the Back to Backs, sat at the centre of Birmingham’s alternative and punk scene. Kahn & Bell was an inspiration to countless people and the start of Twiggy’s fabulous story.

“We couldn’t be happier to play a part in sharing Twiggy’s story, as well as celebrating their technical skills and creative vision. As an instantly recognisable figure of Birmingham’s nightlife and Pride celebrations, Twiggy is a legend of Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ community. The exhibition will no doubt be nostalgic for many people who have followed Twiggy’s work, and for others, it will provide a wonderful insight into a vibrant chapter in Birmingham’s history. We can’t wait to share Twiggy’s story and eye-catching costumes with everyone.”

The exhibition opens Friday, January 26 and runs until Birmingham Pride weekend at the end of May. It is free to enter and visitors do not need to book or have been on a tour of the Back to Backs. Viewing times are Tuesday & Wednesday 1pm – 5pm, Thursday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sundays 10.30am – 5pm.

Midlands-based gay couple fighting for their relationship following Home Office rejection

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

A married gay couple – Jack and George Scott-Lee who are both professional dancers, running a dance academy in Tipton – have been left ‘heartbroken’ after the Home Office rejected George’s partner visa, giving him just 14 days to leave the country. George, who is originally from Venezuela, arrived in the UK in 2020, as a tourist.

He met his now-husband, Jack, whilst the pair were both competing as professional dancers. George applied for his partner visa when he married Jack Scott-Lee from Dudley two years ago. Despite meeting all the Home Office requirements and spending thousands of pounds on visa fees, however, his application was rejected, leaving the couple fighting to stay in the UK.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “All spousal visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Immigration Rules and evidence provided.”

“We’ve both been under major stress – we’re heartbroken,” Jack told BirminghamLive about the Home Office decision.

“I’ve lived in Birmingham all my life; my business is here and my family is here and the Home Office is telling us to go to Venezuela and hope for the best.

“We’re being told to either separate or move to a country where we’ll be unsafe. We want to live our lives together and do all the things married couples do, and now we might have those dreams taken away from us.

Salman Mirza with Jack and George

“All my life I have campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights, our rights to exist, to marry and to live our lives – I volunteer at Birmingham Pride every year. Now to be told we might have to move to a country where homophobia is rife and those rights will be taken away from us. We don’t know what we’re going to do – it’s so stressful.”

According to the Home Office’s own GOV.UK information, while same-sex relationships are not illegal, Venezuelan law does not recognise same-sex partnerships, “so same-sex partners have no rights as next of kin”. Additionally, “showing affection in public will most likely be frowned on by locals and may draw negative attention from the police and other security forces.” In fact, the Venezuelan government was recently accused of ‘state-sponsored homophobia’ after police arrested 33 men in an LGBTQ+ nightclub.

The pair have urged the Home Office to show some compassion regarding the 14-day window given to George to leave the UK while they prepare their appeal against the decision. Their plan to appeal has been given the backing of Sandwell Mayor Bill Gavan – a prominent member of West Midland’s LGBTQ+ community, who said he was “appalled” at the decision and would “willingly lead on any shouting required”.

Salman Mirza, of Brushstrokes Community Project, the couple’s legal representative, said: “This is the result, yet again, of a hostile environment policy bereft of both logic and humanity. I’m sure it was a mistake which will hopefully be rectified by the Home Office, saving both the taxpayer and this couple valuable time and money.”

Objections to new apartments in Birmingham’s gay village dropped following £1million offer from developers

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

Opposition to new apartments in Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ village has been dropped by the Nightingale Club – which is opposite the proposed development – and councillors following a pledge from the developers to pay just over £1million in noise reduction measures.

The controversial 12-storey block of apartments has been given the green light following a Birmingham City Council planning committee at the end of December 2023. Opposition from the Nightingale Club was withdrawn after the developers offered to fund up to £1.05million of noise abatement work at the venue.

While there were still concerns from some councillors, including Cllr Colin Green (Sheldon, Liberal Democrats), who voted against the scheme, concerns about the impact on the area’s nightlife with more residents living in the heart of the LGBTQ+ village were withdrawn.

In the same meeting, the council also agreed that the developers did not have to ensure any of the homes were ‘affordable’ – despite having a rule in principle that at least 35% of homes in major developments must be affordable.

The council planning committee meeting (December 21), approved the application to demolish the existing buildings – the former Amusement 13 nightclub and derelict office on the corner of Lower Essex Street and Kent Street – and granted permission to build the new block which will house 46 new flats, 111 of which will be one-bedroom, while the remaining 35 will be two-bed apartments.

Wolverhampton’s Pride House to fundraise after break-in

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

On Friday, December 29, 2023, Wolverhampton’s Pride House was broken into and robbed. The door to the building was smashed open and a coffee machine was amongst the various item stolen. Police are currently appealing for those who saw or know anything to come forward and help with the investigation.

Pride House is home to Gorgeous Radio, X2Y, a youth group for LGBTQ+ young people in Wolverhampton and the Black Country, and Wolverhampton LGBT, a registered charity supporting the community with events, counselling and more.

Ricki Wellman, director of Pride House at Wolverhampton’s Pride House was alerted to the robbery at 1.58am on December 29 when he received a message that the building had been broken into. He rushed to the scene of the crime to find that the door had been destroyed and smoke still lingered in the air from the building’s security defences.

Wellman told The Express and Star: “It definitely isn’t a phone call you want at 1.58 in the morning. I had just put my head down to go to sleep and then my phone went off. I got there and it looked like there was a fire, there was so much smoke from the security system.

“The CCTV actually showed it happening at around 1.57am, you could see him smash the window and he was gone by 2am. Literally less than five minutes. It’s shocking.”

“It’s more the time and the funds to get the stuff back,” he continued “we now have to air out the whole shop because of the smell of the security smoke, it’s heart-breaking to see it the way it is.”

The director explained that the group is now in the process of setting up a fundraiser to pay for more security for the building as this isn’t the first time that the space has been the victim of vandalism.

Wellman said: “It’s not nice to get that call that early in the day. I do usually get calls. When I got to bed I usually watch the cameras and you do see people kick the glass and other stuff.

“It’s just about picking up the pieces now, the insurance will cover the cost of the damages, but we need more security items like better CCTV for the building, and being a not-for-profit, it isn’t cheap.”

West Midlands Police added: “We’re investigating a burglary in School Street, Wolverhampton, during the early hours of Friday (29 December). We’re reviewing CCTV as part of our enquiries and anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or call 101, and quote 20/1109681/23.”

Gay West Midlands Councillor Bill Gavan awarded MBE in New Year’s Honours List

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

Councillor Bill Gavan, current Mayor of Sandwell, has been awarded an MBE for Political and Public Service, and for service to the LGBTQ+ community, in the New Year’s Honours List.

Councillor Gavan was a founder chairman of Birmingham Pride, forming part of a small committee in 1996 which fundraised for the Birmingham Pride held in 1997. He also ran the popular nightclub Subway City Dance Clubs in Birmingham which opened in 1995, and formerly owned an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Wolverhampton in his name, Gavans.

Earlier this year, the Labour councillor was appointed Mayor of Sandwell making him the areas second, consecutive gay mayor after Councillor Richard Jones.

Now aged 73, Cllr Gavan has been sober for 47 years, and during that time he has helped countless other people in their recovery. In being awarded an MBE, he has been recognised for his contribution to politics, LGBTQ+ issues in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, and for helping those in recovery from drink and drug addiction.

Musical Theatre Writers’ Group programme launched by Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

The Birmingham Hippodrome’s New Musical Theatre Department has announced the launch of a Musical Theatre Writers’ Group which will offer the opportunity for five writing teams to develop a new musical over the course of 12 months.

Open to musical theatre artists across the UK, Musical Theatre Writers’ Group (MT Writers Group) is “a key developmental programme that focuses on the craft of writing new musical theatre,” explains a press release from Birmingham Hippodrome.

The opportunity for musical theatre writers begins in April 2024, and the writing teams will attend monthly sessions led by writer and dramaturg Victoria Saxton, and award-winning composer and musical director Tim Sutton, along with guest masterclasses and peer learning.

Each member of the writing teams will receive a bursary of £2,000, along with travel expenses to attend sessions at Birmingham Hippodrome. The writers will also have the chance to share their work with an audience at two points during the year and will receive ongoing mentorship from the Hippodrome’s New Musical Theatre Department beyond the end of the project

Applications for the MT Writers Group are open now, and those interested can find out more here.

Deirdre O’Halloran, Head of New Musical Theatre at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “We’re really excited to begin developing new musicals for a range of scales and platforms with the launch of our flagship talent development programme.

“The long term aim beyond the 12-month course is for us to provide sustained support for musical theatre artists, including commissioning and developing ideas for production. There are so many brilliant musical theatre artists in the UK and we can’t wait to get started.”

What’s more, The Hippodrome has also released details of how artists can connect with the new musicals department. Each year, there will be three dedicated submissions windows to pitch ideas for development and production. The first submissions window is open now, with the department planning to expand its network of musical directors, arrangers, sound designers and sound engineers.

The New Musical Theatre Department has recently received a major charitable donation from philanthropist Charles Holloway to support the department over the next three years, including their MT Writers Group programme.

Charles Holloway explained: “I’m delighted to be the founding supporter of the New Musical Theatre department. It’s very encouraging to see an organisation like Birmingham Hippodrome commit to making new work with national and regional partners, creating new opportunities, especially for writers and creatives. I’m looking forward to following developments closely over the coming months as this important work unfolds.”

Introducing Proud Baggies FC: a new LGBTQ+ football team in the West Midlands

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

A new competitive LGBTQ+ football team, Proud Baggies FC – “dedicated to promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport” – has been announced in collaboration with West Bromwich Albion, Sandwell Council, and the Albion Foundation. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in fostering a welcoming platform for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to engage in competitive football and cultivate a supportive community.

Born from a collective effort, Proud Baggies FC welcomes individuals passionate about football, regardless of gender, age, or skill level, emphasising the importance of unity and support among LGBTQ+ and allied communities.

“This has been a long-term ambition of ours,” says Piero Zizzi, Proud Baggies’ founder. “Since our founding in 2017 we’ve worked with the club to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ supporters at West Bromwich Albion and now, following the success of our weekly football sessions and the clear demand and need within Sandwell and the Black Country; we are delighted to be able to provide a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people and allies to play football competitively and wear the stripes with pride in doing so.”

Plans from the new football team include participation in tournaments and the ambition to secure a league position by the 2024/2025 season, aiming to elevate the cause of inclusivity within football.

Albion foundation director, Rob Lake explains: “Supporting Proud Baggies in establishing their own competitive team marks a pivotal moment in fostering inclusivity within the West Midlands’ football landscape.

“It’s inspiring to witness their commitment to creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals to showcase their skills, further amplifying the message of acceptance and diversity. Proud Baggies’ initiative aligns seamlessly with our mission at the Albion Foundation to promote equality and inclusivity in sports.”

Anyone wishing to join Proud Baggies’ Friday Night Football sessions, join the competitive team or become a Proud Baggies’ member can get in touch via info@proudbaggies.com

Birmingham World AIDS Day tributes vandalised after candlelit vigil

Posted on by Catherine Muxworthy

Following a vigil held at Birmingham’s AIDS & HIV Memorial (Ribbons) on World AIDS Day, lanterns, candles, wreathes and flowers left as tributes were vandalised. The World AIDS Day remembrance ceremony was held on December 1 at Hippodrome Square where the city’s memorial – which was unveiled exactly a year ago – is located. The candlelit vigil featured speeches, music and a minute’s silence, and those joining were encouraged to leave their own wreathes and flowers on the memorial if they wished to.

When artist Garry Jones returned to the memorial the morning after, however, he found that the lanterns had been smashed and the flowers ripped and vandalised. In a post, Garry Jones said: “The stigma, prejudice and hate [is] still there with the disrespect shown to the lanterns and flowers left on the Ribbons Birmingham AIDS & HIV Memorial… This behaviour is not acceptable… We will never forget and we will prevail. Love over Hate!”

This is not the first time that wreathes and flowers lain on the AIDS & HIV Memorial in Birmingham have been vandalised or stolen. On several occasions over the past year, similar behaviour has occurred, leaving those living with HIV in Birmingham acutely aware of the ongoing stigma. Activists like Garry Jones, however, continue using their voices to breakdown that prejudice.

Speaking previously to Scene magazine about being one of the faces of this year’s National AIDS Trust Rock the Ribbon campaign, Garry Jones explained: “Up until designing The Ribbons, Birmingham’s AIDS & HIV Memorial, I’d always been very secretive about being HIV positive which, looking back, only added to the stigma, prejudice, self-loathing and blame. I’ve come to realise that HIV is only a virus that anyone can get, so why should I feel ashamed?”

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