Birmingham Pride, 2019. (Jim Wood/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty)
Birmingham Pride has officially postponed its 2020 festivities because of the coronavirus pandemic, following London Pride which postponed on the same day.
The Birmingham celebrations were set to take place on May 23 and 24, with confirmed performers including Cheryl and Kelly Rowland.
But organisers said in a statement on Monday, March 23: “As a result of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, we regret to announce that Birmingham Pride 2020 will be postponed and will not take place as planned on May 23 and 24.
“We are not cancelling Pride, however, we are pleased to confirm the new date of September 5 and 6, where Birmingham Pride 2020 will be showcasing a brand new space never used before – giving us all something to look forward to.
“We very much hope that the situation in the UK will have improved enormously later into the summer months, so that we can go ahead with one of the most important dates in the LGBTQ calendar – we will do whatever it takes.”
The organisers continued: “Birmingham Pride is important to us all and the fantastic charities that we support.
“We are currently negotiating with all artists from this year’s line up to appear in September and we are still very much excited to present what will be the biggest and best Birmingham Pride to date.”
Organisers said that tickets would automatically be transferred to the new dates, but that ticket-holders could also donate their ticket to Pride charities.
They added: “Let’s all come together later in 2020 and in the meantime, stay safe, look after each other and remember, we are ‘Stronger Together’.”
On the same day, Pride in London co-chairs Alison Camps and Michael Salter-Church said they were forced to make the difficult decision to postpone the London event due to the ever-changing situation surrounding COVID-19.
They said: “With the climate changing daily, we need to think even further ahead and make timely decisions to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, volunteers and participants.”
Pride in London organisers are currently working with partners to determine if they can host the event on an alternative date.