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What is Queens Heath Pride?
It was in 2021, against the backdrop of anti-LGBTQIA+ protests outside Birmingham schools, that Queens Heath Pride was born: a form of counter-protest/social experiment hybrid to investigate the effect that improving an area for queer people could have.
First founded in secret by a group of local residents, it is now out in the open, having since evolved into a full-scale, calendar event (this one will be our fifth). Each year, our festivities begin with an organised Pride march (the shortest of its kind!), before various LGBQTIA+ performers take to the stage on York Road, with any technical support being provided by the iconic Hare & Hounds. In an effort to make our Pride as local as possible, we tend to keep the date – and our line-ups – under wraps until just two weeks out from the event itself, so keep an eye out for further announcements!
As the event has continued to grow, we have committed ourselves to ensuring that it remains an annual occurrence here in Kings Heath, dedicated to the community it serves. So, in 2025, the decision was made to establish Queens Heath Pride as a Community Interest Company (CIC). This way, we have been able to continue as an entirely non-profit, non-commercial organisation, and will remain so for years to come.
We are currently working to expand our offering, while still maintaining the event’s unique, community feel. We are particularly keen to introduce more family-specific activities, involving as many local people as we can, and creating a space in which everyone feels able to celebrate who they are.
Queens Heath Pride also runs a Community Steering Group, made up of locally-based, queer individuals, who meet sporadically throughout the year to socialise, discuss future plans for the event, and work on other, year-round LGBTQIA+ initiatives for Kings Heath.
