West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has broken his silence after emergency services in the region withdrew from Birmingham Pride this weekend, citing legal concerns. His comments follow an announcement by West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) that they would not have a uniformed presence at this year's celebrations.
Legal Concerns Prompt Withdrawal
WMAS stated it had taken legal advice and needed to comply with principles of public law. This decision stems from a High Court ruling last year that deemed a police chief's decision to allow uniformed officers to march in a Pride parade unlawful. Since then, emergency services across the country have opted out of uniformed participation in similar events.
However, in August last year, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) clarified that the High Court ruling, which restricted uniformed police officers from attending Pride events due to impartiality concerns, did not apply to ambulance services. The AACE stated the ruling was specific to police duties and had no bearing on other emergency services.
Despite this, an internal WMAS document seen by BirminghamLive indicated that staff participating in uniform could "breach impartiality" and "create a reasonable perception that WMAS actively supports specific views, which would be contrary to the protected beliefs of some people." The document added: "Birmingham Pride describes itself as a 'protest until injustice against LGBTQIA+ people everywhere ends and true equality is achieved.' As a public sector organisation, we need to ensure we discharge our public duties duly and comply with the principles of public law. Sincere apologies from the Executive Board are given for the late notification of this decision."
Mayor's Full Statement
Mayor Parker responded today, asserting that supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues and patients is not a political act. In a statement posted on X, he said: "West Midlands emergency services have confirmed they won't be participating in Birmingham Pride this weekend, citing legal uncertainty following a High Court ruling on uniformed attendance at Pride events. I want to be clear about where I stand.
"Pride is a community event. People go to celebrate who they are, to see their neighbours and feel part of something. I think that matters.
"The legal position is what it is and public bodies are right to take their legal obligations seriously – I respect and accept that.
"What I find harder to accept is the idea that showing up for your LGBTQ+ staff and patients is somehow a political act.
"These services exist for everyone. Pride is part of the community they serve. Treating inclusion as a 'controversy' is a choice and not a legal necessity.
"Those who want to make an issue of inclusion and diversity are seeking to divide us – and we can't let them.
"We've spent decades building the understanding that equality isn't partisan.
"It belongs to everyone.
"What worries me about the direction of travel here is that we're starting to unpick that – and local people can feel it.
"We would never question whether public services should show up or show support for someone because of their gender, their race, their age, or their disability.
"The same principle applies here.
"LGBTQ+ staff in our public services deserve to feel supported by the organisations they work for.
"Patients deserve to know they'll be treated with dignity.
"Those things shouldn't depend on whether a particular event has become contested.
"I understand why these organisations have been forced to make this decision, but we need to be clear that supporting our colleagues, friends and family is not political."
