 | | Cowboys and Indians |
Ten years on, and 2007 will see the return of Gay Pride back into the heart of the Gay Village, where it all began in 1997. Events director David Babbington reckons that this year's event will be the best ever. He says: "We guarantee a weekend of fun and excitement which has not been had at a Birmingham Pride event for many years. There will be four stages at the festival: The Nightingale Main stage, the Jack & Jones Cabaret Stage, The "WOW" Women's Stage and Tricky Dicky's Over 18s Stage. "The theme for this year is: 'United for Equality' and no stone has been left unturned to get the theme known!" The events for Gay Pride 2007 include: Gay Pride Festival - May 26th - 28th 2007
 | | Flying the flag with Pride |
Taking place over May Bank Holiday, Birmingham Gay Pride Festival starts on Friday 25th May with a Launch Party at Nightingale Club with special guests Rogue Traders. Tricky Dicky's have secured a great line-up for the community with Bucks Fizz on Saturday, a Kylie Minogue Tribute on Sunday and a George Michael tribute on Monday. Right in the heart of the village, the funfair will be up and running all weekend as well as various market stalls catering for all tastes. Mardi Gras Parade Gathering in Victoria Square, the Mardi Gras Parade departs at 2pm on Sunday 27th May 2007 and winds its way back to Gay Village. This year, the parade strives to symbolise the meaning of Pride, the community's heritage and the quest for true equality. Community Village Day
 | | Reveller at Gay Pride |
On Sunday there will be a FREE Community Village day, back in the B5 area. The village will be back to basics with community being at the very heart of what happens and incorporating many of the elements suggested by those who have attended previously. The area is licensed for drinking. Please note: photo ID may be requested if you look under 21, bag checks will be in operation and drinking from glasses will not be allowed. Queer Arts Fest A Queer Arts Fest will also take place looking at Queer Rights and Art in its many forms. All fundraising carried out before or during the event will go to charity and not the event itself which means every penny people give will go to support Breast and Testicular Cancer Research as well as other charities. Artists John Lupton and Richard Harper are making the streets a true gay village and the village green will be full of activities from performance artists.
 | | Friends at Pride |
The changes made this year will make Birmingham a different, unique event which has the community, its development and growth at the heart of what happens. More details will follow. How to get involved For more information visit: http://www.birminghampride.org/ To contact David and express any interest in volunteering, being in the parade, sponsoring the event or having a market stall, contact him on: 07870 899 373 or everevent@blueyonder.co.uk | 
