Chamber partners with Games LGBTQ+ organisation
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) is championing the 'spectacular diversity ' in the West Midlands through a new partnership with Pride House, through which they intend to engage the business community in welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals and allies during the Commonwealth Games.
Pride House 's mission is to create a safe space and welcoming, inclusive environment for LGBTIQ+ spectators, athletes, staff, volunteers, organisations, and allies at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games- leaving “a lasting legacy for LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sports in the West Midlands and celebrating the diversity of the second city. ”
The Pride House movement first began in 2010 at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, with London 2012 the first time a Pride House existed at a sports event in the UK.
Pride House Birmingham is set to become the first ever fully integrated Pride House to exist at a major sporting event this year, working in partnership with Birmingham 2022 from Friday 22 July to Wednesday 8 August.
The 18 days of programming and events at Pride House Birmingham include Birmingham 2022 live screenings, celebratory and social events, film screenings, panels and Q&As, networking events and exhibitions.
As well as their venue in the heart of Birmingham 's Gay Village, they will have a presence and visibility in the Athletes ' Villages and Live sites.
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Our business community is just like this great city-region - spectacularly diverse. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games intends to be 'the Games for Everyone '. At the Chamber, we want to celebrate this focus on inclusivity and support the organisations leading the way in making it happen.
“We are delighted to be working with Pride House and look forward to amplifying, and enabling our members to engage with, their work creating a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.
“At its heart, the Games is 11 days of sport but its potential as a catalyst for creating a lasting legacy, whether economic, social or in new partnerships is huge. ”
Piero Zizzi, Pride House Birmingham co-founder, said: “We 're delighted to be working in partnership with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. Pride House Birmingham will be an inclusive, welcoming space during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, for organisations and the local community; as well as athletes and spectators - LGBTQ+ and allies. We have a unique opportunity; through the power of sport, to bring together communities and organisations from across the city to celebrate the diversity, innovation and talent that makes this city so great. ”
Members of the GBCC are being encouraged to show their support via a range of partnership and sponsorship opportunities
For more information, please email [email protected]
There will also be several volunteer open days held on Sunday 29 May and Sunday 5 June for those looking to get involved. All details can be found pridehousebham.org.uk/volunteer
Pictured (left to right): Ethan Akanni, Athletics Pride Network, Sprint Hurdler, Lou Englefield; co-founder of Pride House Birmingham, director of Pride Sports, Campaign director of Football v Homophobia, co-chair of Pride House International, Neil Basterfield; co-founder of Pride House Birmingham, organiser at Proud Baggies, Lauren Rowles, Rower, 2 x Paralympic gold medalist, World & European Champion, Jude Hamer, Wheelchair Basketball player, 3 x Paralympian, Women 's Wheelchair Basketball Premier League Champion, Piero Zizzi, co-founder of Pride House Birmingham, founder & chair of Proud Baggies, and Andy Paul, Athletics Pride Network & Advisory board member.