59
) Trustees of Walsall Pride have announced in a statement the cancellation of its 2021 Pride for All event.
“It is with sadness and regret that we must announce this year’s Walsall Pride, which would have taken place on Saturday, August 28, will not go ahead as planned,” they wrote on their recently launched forum. They added: “While we appreciate that the community were looking forward to a return to normality and us being able to stage our 10-year anniversary event it sadly isn’t possible to stage this year.” They explained: “As a small charity we rely on funding from grants and sponsorship and as such it’s been difficult to obtain funding due to the current climate.” What’s more, “with restrictions in place it proved difficult to plan our event as we usually do. There is currently no guidance in place for events post lockdown, which means we are unable to plan for any guidance that may be put into place and for any costs that would be associated with this.” LGBTQ+ people living in Walsall – and the surrounding areas – will understandably be disappointed in this news. However, Birmingham Pride is still currently going ahead in September so many will still be able to celebrate in the Midlands. The Walsall Pride for All board of trustees wrote: “We know that this news will be of huge disappointment to a lot of people and will be a huge loss for Walsall town centre with the visitors that Pride attracts each year with our relaxed, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere.” They added: “This decision has not been taken lightly and we have reviewed the situation regularly, however we promise to be back in 2022 with our 10th anniversary event on Saturday, August 27, 2022 and we hope that you will all join us then.” They ended their statement by saying: “We would like to thank everyone for the support we have had from the community of Walsall. Please take care of yourselves and loved ones; and we as many of you look forward to a return to normality.” D For more info and other opportunities, visit: www.shoutfestival.co.uk
Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ community pays tribute to Conrad Guest ) Conrad Guest, known by much of Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ community as Connie, was responsible for booking, organising, and managing the Cabaret Tent at Birmingham Pride, plus helping out with the parade and the team of volunteers. In the late ’80s and early ’90s he also volunteered with Birmingham AIDS Trust, “doing amazing work in our community.” ‘Connie’ sadly passed away in the early hours of Monday, May 31; the loss has been felt by the community who posted countless warm tributes and stories. Birmingham Pride wrote: “We can’t help but feel that his passing, on what would have been Birmingham Pride Sunday, is a touching tribute to his cabaret magic. We will miss him terribly, and we send love to everyone who knew him.”
Coventry Pride launches ‘Summer of Pride’
) Coventry Pride has announced an ambitious and exciting line-up of Pride events, which will include partnership art installations and connections with the Coventry City of Culture Trust. Organisers have successfully secured funding – much of which has been provided by the Coventry City of Culture Trust – and support to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community can engage in diverse and inclusive programming.
Melanated Spaces Paul Desson-Baxter, chair of Coventry Pride, said: “We’re proud and pleased to be launching such a dynamic, ambitious programme of events over the next few months. The entire UK has had to deal with the challenges presented by the pandemic, with members of marginalised communities like ours, often feeling the heaviest of impacts.
PAUL DESSON-BAXTER
Wallsall Pride 2021 cancelled
The theme of this year’s pride events is Pride and Joy, “reflecting the yearning felt by many, within and external to the LGBT+ community “We wanted to provide opportunities for moments of pride and joy, lost for moments of joy, as well as space during a year dominated by the global for the community to reconnect, reflect pandemic”. and be proud,” he continues. “We have so much more to announce in and around each of these headline events, which we have actively designed to be inclusive and reflective of our various intersectional communities. We’re pleased to be working with some brilliant partners including Coventry ArtSpace, the Tin Music and Arts venue and Belgrade Theatre.” The Summer of Pride events will The charity is hoping to engage with a include an orchestral concert in wide range of people, from volunteers, the cathedral ruins, experience entertainers and stallholders to artists, exhibitions in the city centre, and a performers and research participants film production focusing on cultural (for its partnership initiatives with diversity and family fun in green Coventry City of Culture). At the time spaces. All events are designed to of writing, commissions for LGBTQ+ complement the centrepiece, which is artists and application details were due the annual Pride festival itself. to be soon revealed via social media. The headline dates for Coventry’s More details on the line-up of events Summer of Pride are: as well as opportunities to purchase • Saturday, July 17 – Classically or book tickets will also be announced soon. Anyone wishing to be involved in Queer the Coventry Summer of Pride, should • Saturday, August 7 – Pride & Joy follow them on Instagram or Twitter – Coventry Pride Festival 2021 (@pridecov) or search for Coventry Pride on Facebook. • Saturday, August 14 – Family Fun Day D For more info on Coventry Pride, • Wednesday, September 1 – Art visit: www.coventrypride.org.uk is a Protest • Wednesday, October 20 –
