| Carnival Workshops | - Pride Parade worshops are at AB+, Lower Essex Street Mon-Fri 6-9 Sat/Sun 10-6
Gary 07743075673 or David on 07977263924 - Gay Pride: May 28,29,30
- Gay Pride Carnival Parade: May 28
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Its May the sun is shining and Birmingham Pride 2005 is fast approaching. One of the most flamboyant spectacles of Pride has to be the Pride Parade when more than 750 out and proud lesbians, gays and their friends will take to the streets of Birmingham in a display of awesome gay colour. Fairies theme
 | | Garry Jones |
This year’s theme is fairies, chosen by carnival artist Garry Jones. He also runs the local Pride Parade workshop in Birmingham’s gay village. Everyone is welcome on the Pride Parade and if you're looking for ideas and materials for your own trolley float, Garry’s workshop is a great place to start. It's free! The Gay Business Partnership funds the project and there are experienced artists on hand to help with any technical problems that might occur while making your trolley creations. Garry said: “No-one pays for anything, If you come as an individual you won't have to pay for anything!” Shhh, it's a secret Garry is busy trying to keep his creations under lock and key for the moment until the official parade, however I did catch a glimpse of Marianne's work. She is one of the carnival artists working on 10 fairy queens. She designed them herself and they are coming along nicely!
 | | Garry and Claire |
She said: “We need people to come and help us to do all the decorations on them or they can make a totally new costume and wear it. No experience is necessary absolutely anyone can do it. If they are a bit more creative they can create their own or if they just want to wear a costume people are welcome to come down too. It’s a real chance to celebrate your sexuality. There is something for everyone at the parade!” Super lezzers costume Claire the LGBT chairwoman at Birmingham University has decided to take a more hands on approach to Pride 2005 and was busy at the workshop: “Last year I only walked on the parade, I didn't have a float or anything”. This year with the help of LGBT officers from Birmingham’s surrounding universities she has designed what she calls the ‘Super Lezzer costume’.
 | | Marianne working on her fairy Queen |
“She's going to have big breasts and a massive beehive hairstyle. We are all amateurs here but the artists are really great as they are working with our ideas. I've had a fantastic time so far and everyone is really helpful.” In the pink Chris and Alex also with the university’s LGBT group are working on Lady Penelope’s car. Alex said: “I love pink and I'm going to be Lady Penelope for the parade and Chris is going to be Parker!” Like Claire the pair only walked in the parade last year: “We have come to do it properly this year, I thought it would be nice to come and make floats and take a big part in it all.”
 | | Make your own costumes |
You can catch the LGBT group on the parade May 28. They will also have a stall giving out leaflets and wristbands to support the gay community so look out for them. Get involved If anyone wants to get involved with a group for the Pride Parade they can contact David on 07977263924. If you want to take part individually Contact Garry on 07743075673. | 
