City of Wolverhampton Council along with Wolverhampton Homes are all set to join Birmingham Pride this weekend alongside the thousands due to celebrate the city-wide event.  They are marching together under the umbrella of Rainbow City; a project that aims to make Wolverhampton more LGBT+ inclusive.   

One of the country’s biggest LGBT+ festivals, Birmingham Pride’s theme this year is ‘25 Years of Pride and Protest’ and a team of volunteers from City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes will be taking part alongside our Council vehicle which has been newly decorated in rainbow colours. 

Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, said: “It’s wonderful that members of our Rainbow staff forum are able to represent the City of Wolverhampton Council at one of the biggest Pride events in the country, showing our city's support and commitment to LGBT+ rights and equality. Our Rainbow vehicle makes it all the more special. My wife, Councillor Paula Brookfield, the Cabinet member for Governance and Equalities, and I are very much looking forward to joining the City team on the Pride march.”

Chief Executive of City of Wolverhampton Council, Tim Johnson said: “I’m really proud to be joining council colleagues from our Rainbow Staff forum at Birmingham Pride. We’ll be joining the procession through Birmingham city centre on Saturday with our specially liveried council vehicle. It’s going to be phenomenal, and I look forward to being part of it all.” 

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisor, Kieran Simpson added: “Pride as an event has a different meaning to everyone. For some, it is a celebration of the journey that they have been on; for others, it’s hope for society to truly accept them, a sign of solidarity that equality is for all, and they are proud of who they are. Whatever your view, Pride is an amazing event and feeling for everyone who comes along to celebrate. We’ll see you there and look out for our new Rainbow City fleet, too.” 

Since it began in 1997, many LGBT+ rights have been won through protest including equal marriage and adoption and the equalisation of the age of consent.