Pride summer beckons for Coventry and Warwickshire

Coventry and Leamington are set to host their annual Pride festivities this summer. 

Coventry Pride will be hosting its Pride Festival on 9 August. The event will take place at FarGo Village, near the city centre, from 12–6pm. 

The annual festival, which typically attracts “tens of thousands of visitors”, plays a significant role in the organisation’s efforts to advance LGBTQIA+ equality. 

Last year’s celebrations included a parade in Coventry City Centre, followed by a wide range of events, including live performances, community stalls, and food stalls. 

The festival was originally slated to take place on 28 June. However, it was postponed to August due to funding issues and changes to Coventry Pride’s committee. 

On its Facebook page, the organisation said this would ensure it could “deliver a meaningful and memorable event that truly reflects the spirit and resilience of [the LGBTQIA+] community”. 

Controversially, political groups have been barred from participating

Meanwhile, Warwickshire Pride will be hosting its Pride celebrations in Leamington Spa the following week, on 16 August. Like in Coventry, the day’s festivities will commence with a Pride Parade, beginning at 11:00 am on Beauchamp Road. 

Soon afterwards, there will be a ‘rainbow marketplace’, where LGBTQIA+ charities, community groups, and businesses will set up stalls. There will also be live performances, with priority being given to LGBTQIA+ performers and local artists. 

Controversially, political groups have been barred from participating. 

This came to light after the Liberal Democrats Warwickshire Pride Group said it had been denied the ability to take part. 

Warwickshire Pride justified the decision on the grounds that it was obligated to maintain political neutrality due to its charitable status, suggesting it could face government sanctions if it did not meet this requirement. 

It is only through open dialogue that we can truly represent and support our communities. Warwickshire Pride should be a space where all those committed to LGBTQ+ rights can stand together

The Liberal Democrats Warwickshire Pride Group

The Liberal Democrats Warwickshire Pride Group responded that while it understood Warwickshire Pride was obligated to abide by government guidance, it lamented its exclusion given its “well-documented commitment to trans rights and the LGBTQ+ community”. 

The Group added: “It is only through open dialogue that we can truly represent and support our communities. Warwickshire Pride should be a space where all those committed to LGBTQ+ rights can stand together.”