Back in the early 2000’s life for the LGBT community was very different. HIV and AIDS were only just being seen as manageable rather than a terminal diagnosis and our community’s relationship with the police was far from harmonious. The age of consent was only equalised in 2000 and we had to wait until 2013 to see the abolition of Section 28, which prohibited the so called ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools, and to get married to our same sex partners.
At that time Pride festivals throughout the country were, in addition to being joyous celebrations, seen as political events with protest and activism at their core. We all enjoyed the visibility of the Pride Parade chanting Glad to be Gay slogans whilst walking hand in hand with our boyfriends and girlfriends. It provided, in the words of Jeremy Knowles, “a kind of mass ‘coming out’ process during which Birmingham’s gay community established a long-term physical and cultural location for itself within the city.”
But many of us involved in the organisation of Birmingham Pride at that time were keen to see all year round health and social provision for our diverse LGBT community. So, in 2002, Birmingham Pride Community Trust (BPCT) was formed by a group of volunteers. From the outset, BPCT aimed to raise awareness of issues that affect Birmingham’s LGBT citizens through consultation, community engagement, advocacy, strategic engagement and lobbying. It changed its name in 2010 to Birmingham LGBT and continues to this day.
Steve Ball was the founding Chair of Birmingham Pride Community Trust and has recently been appointed Chair of Birmingham LGBT.
