Birmingham

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Birmingham Town Hall
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (originally in Warwickshire). It is the second largest city by population in the UK. It rose to prominence in the 18th century as a centre of manufacturing, especially small and specialised trades. The city boundaries have expanded considerably since the 18th century, most recently by absorbing Sutton Coldfield (still considered a separate locality for census purposes) in 1974.

LGBT history

Robert Taylor (photographer) was born in Birmingham in 1958.

The Birmingham CHE Group was founded in 1970.

Birmingham GLF produced a magazine called Gladrag [1].

In 1980 Gay News reported on police activity to catch homosexuals at a lavatory known as the Silver Slipper near the Alexandra Theatre [2].

The Birmingham Gay Village, near the Chinese Quarter, is mainly located around Hurst Street.

Birmingham LGBT was set up in 2002, with the aim of reinvigorating the diverse LGBT community in the city.[3]

Boot Women is a local women's walking group.

Moseley Shoals is a local gay swimming and water polo club.

In 2011 Symon Hill walked from Birmingham to London, as a pilgrimage of repentance for homophobia.

Pride events were held for a few years from 1972, resuming in 1983. Birmingham Pride is held annually in May. It is one of the largest LGBT t festivals in the UK, held over three days [4]. Controversially public streets are closed to the public and people are charged to enter the Gay Village.

The Birmingham Bi Women's Discussion Group met once a month at the Birmingham LGBT Centre.

Gay Birmingham Remembered is a website based on oral history and other research, recording the development and history of the LGBT communities in and around Birmingham.

In 2022 the city hosted the Commonwealth Games [5].
Oliver Dyke protests against Birmingham Pride ticket policy 2023 (photo by Dr Clifford Williams)

2023 venues and shops listed on a map as LGBT+ included Eden, Birmingham LGBT Centre, Glamorous, Clone Zone, Missing Bar, Equator, Side Walk, The Village Inn, The Fountain, The Fox and The Loft [6]. The Anchor pub on Bradford Street, at junction with Rea Street, was flying the LGBT+ Pride flag in 2023.


References

  1. ↑ This was available for sale at London Pride 1976
  2. ↑ Gay News 17-30 April 1980
  3. ↑ http://www.blgbt.org/?page_id=4
  4. ↑ http://www.birminghampride.com/
  5. ↑ Katie Sadleir, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, told BBC Sport she is open to the idea that LGBTQ+ medallists may be able to take the rainbow flag on to the podium at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/59571501
  6. ↑ Birmingham Pride Guide 2023
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