West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has confirmed it will not participate in this year’s Birmingham Pride parade, a decision communicated to staff via an internal letter seen by PinkNews.
The correspondence, issued on behalf of the Trust Executive Board, states that the move was not “taken lightly”. It explains that legal advice indicated involvement “could breach political impartiality and create a reasonable perception that WMAS actively supports specific views, which would be contrary to the protected beliefs of some people”. The letter does not clarify what is meant by “specific views” or “protected beliefs”.
Legal Concerns Over Protest Stance
The board’s message elaborates: “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 that we discharge the public sector equality duty and comply with the principles of public law.”
A separate note from the PROUD@WMAS Network acknowledged staff disappointment but stated they “understand the reasoning behind it”. The network added that it is organising an alternative Pride celebration in June.
The letter also includes “sincere apologies” from the Executive Board “for the late notification of this decision”.
Emergency Services Jointly Step Back
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson told PinkNews: “The Trust can confirm that it has withdrawn from the Birmingham Pride parade, along with police and fire services, based on legal advice.”
The spokesperson continued: “We are very fortunate to have staff from many different backgrounds including the LGBTQ+ community work for us and we remain fully supportive of them and the ‘Proud Network’ that we run within the Service.”
They added: “We have informed the organisers as to why we are unable to participate and will keep this decision under review for next and future years. We will also continue to support staff participating in other events that meet the public sector equality duty.”
Birmingham Pride is scheduled for this weekend, 23 and 24 May, with a lineup featuring Katy B, Sigala, Nadine Coyle, Danny Beard, and Amelle, among others.
