The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham from July 28 until August 8, and during that time upwards of 2,00 people are expected to pass through the Pride House venue at the Loft Lounge. The Pride House venue will be open to the public from July 22, and will provide a safe space for athletes, supporters, and allies.
“I think it’s very pertinent that the Pride House is in the heart of the Gay Village this year, and I think it’s a very strong message to send out to the Commonwealth and across the world,” explains Lawrence Barton, a major shareholder of the Loft Lounge, director of Birmingham Pride, and board member of Birmingham Southside BID – where the gay village is located.
“We will very proudly be showing off our community and district to our new visitors from across the world and we’re very excited,” he continues. “People from other countries where there are harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws in place will find a welcoming space here where they can enjoy freedoms they don’t have at home.”
Speaking at a Pride House launch event, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “There will be a huge welcome for all at these Games and I would urge everyone to come and be proud of their own personal stories when they come here.
“This really matters because a lot of athletes and spectators will arrive in Birmingham and feel a little uncertain of themselves but they’ll find themselves a place of welcome and safety here.
“Pride House is another brilliant example of how Birmingham is thinking about hosting a Games that is for everybody.”
