Char Bailey, Eva Echo and Soriah Lewin have been appointed to the board of directors
BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE PROVIDED
It’s official, Birmingham Pride has confirmed that it will be returning to the heart of the Gay Village for its celebrations in 2026. And next year’s celebration is going to be a wonderfully inclusive experience – this is hugely due to the appointment of Char Bailey, Eva Echo and Soriah Lewin to its Board of Directors. Char, Eva and Soriah will play a pivotal role in ensuring Birmingham Pride 2026 reflects the diversity of our LGBTQIA+ community, and all three will bring their wealth of experience and talent to the organisation.
DIVA readers will be very familiar with Char, who is not only our very own features writer but also has over a decade of experience in coaching, facilitation and inclusion. Eva Echo is a DIVA Award-winning activist who has tirelessly advocated for trans rights. Soriah is a multi-genre DJ and event curator who strives to create safe spaces for QTIPOC. With this trio taking charge, next year’s festivities are certainly going to be wonderfully inclusive, diverse and community-driven.
“Birmingham Pride is on a journey to be as inclusive and representative as possible,” said festival director Lawrence Barton. “The addition of Char, Eva, and Soriah to our Board is a huge step forward. Their expertise and passion will ensure that our festival celebrates LGBTQ+ culture while listening and responding to the community we serve.”
The annual event will be returning to the Gay Village on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026. So save the date and get ready for an unforgettable weekend.
Pssst… if you want to read some inspiring words from Eva Echo, you can check out our interview with her in our October/November issue, which is available to pre-order now.
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