Becky Homer

Established by Birmingham LGBT in 2009, SHOUT promotes, showcases and presents the best in queer culture throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands. Back for its seventh edition, SHOUT 2015 is a ten-day festival encompassing the best in live performance, theatre, comedy, music, visual art, talks and film at venues across the city. The show launches on November 12 at BOM with 'Sergina’s Stimulatingly Sexy Simultaneous Simulation of Herself at BOM and in Bedrooms in Places Beginning with B', a stunning multi-site, multi-venue performance of 'songs about love, sex, mobile phones and instantaneous culture by Sergina'.  After that tongue twisting opener, the programme is packed with events. Some of the highlights include: 'The Sissy’s Progress'. Taking place at mac Birmingham on Friday 13 November, this Birmingham premiere follows Nando Messias in his response to an act of homophobic hatred with a part installation, part dance-theatre and part walking performance.   The Sissy's Progress   Following a sellout event in 2014, the Polari Literary Salon returns to mac Birmingham on November 14, where it will showcase the best in established and up-and-coming queer literary talent. The event will also include a workshop where writers will get the opportunity to share their work with an audience.  Those looking for a laugh should head to The Penthouse, above The Loft Lounge, on November 15, for an evening of the best female comedy. Alongside resident MC Maureen Younger, the MY Comedy

2015 has seen the city centre burst to life. With the much anticipated opening of New Street Station and new restaurants and bars popping up constantly – Birmingham really is an exciting place to be. However, working in the city comes, of course, with its frustrations. Whether you work in the Colmore Row District, Brindley Place or in the JQ, here are 10 real struggles of being a city professional:       1. Your tight monthly budget means lunch has to be a Sainsbury’s meal deal. However, you arrive back to the office £10 down and five stone heavier because Mission Burrito is also on the way and, well, you’re only human...   Mission Burrito    2. On any walk down the high street, someone will try to convert you to at least 12 different religions, when all you actually want to do is buy some mascara from Boots.   Flickr: Funk Dooby     3. It’s a friends birthday and you haven't bought anything. In a panic, you power walk into the Bullring for a last minute gift. You end up with 20 items of cute stationary from Paperchase for yourself and a comedy pencil for your bestie.   Rebecca Homer    4. Sending a weekly email addressed with the subject ‘OMG NEED TO GO ASAP’ regarding a new restaurant that has opened in town. This month, Bitters ‘n Twisted– the geniuses behind The Vic and Jekyll and Hyde – are opening a new American diner inspired restaurant called Buffalo & Rye next door to Bodega. The excitement is so real.   Buffalo and Rye    5. You have absolutely no money, but

There's a strange stigma associated with the stage that often means people tend to shy away from classical concerts, ballet and theatre. Maybe there's a feeling that the experience will be intimidating, or the assumption that there's an expected etiquette to be aware of - there are plenty of stereotypes surrounding performing art as elitist and inaccessible. However, wash those preconceptions away - the next few months will see a collection of mind-bogglingly talented musicians, dancers and actors take to the stage to launch their seasons in Birmingham. So, here's our pick of five shows that provide the perfect opportunity for you to broaden your mind and cast aside any preconceived ideas you might have about the stage...   Strauss' Salome  Rebecca Homer At the start of September, the Symphony Hall launched its International Concert Season with a stunning performance from internationally acclaimed composer, Sir Simon Rattle. Think of him as the 'Morgan Freeman of classical music' – he's a pretty big deal. Next up for the season is Strauss’ 'Salome'. Exploring psychedelic themes, this  opera is famous for the controversial and erotic ‘Dance of the Seven Veils’, where Princess Salome dances with the severed head of John the Baptist. From the eye-catching opening to its shocking conclusion, this is one of the most overwhelming experiences in opera. Incorporating Richard Strauss’s extraordinary score, t’s definitely one for those looking to try out classical music. Strauss' 'Sa

For those who have yet to venture into Birmingham’s Gay Village, you'll find the cluster of colourful bars and clubs centred along Hurst Street just beyond the Arcadian and China Town in the city centre. You'll have no doubts when you’ve arrived - you’ll be greeted by a life-size statue of a rhino covered in diamantes and a gold encrusted Marilyn Monroe figure that's somehow been hoisted 20 feet onto a ledge outside Missing bar.   Unlike the vast and often 'cliquey' gay scenes found in the likes of Manchester and London, Birmingham’s gay community is a relatively small yet extremely hospitable group of extroverts, welcoming people from all walks of life, regardless of race, gender or faith, with open arms (and probably a Jägerbomb and some rainbow confetti thrown in for good measure). Hurst Street is home to a number of outrageously flamboyant characters and interesting people. Here are just a few to keep an eye out for – not that they’re difficult to miss:   Twiggy  Twiggy Occupation: Fashion student and drag artist.  A bit about you: I was born in Liverpool and moved to Birmingham in 1974. I started going to alternative clubs around Birmingham in the '80s, like Rum Runners and The Kipper Club – during that time you couldn’t get into gay clubs if you didn’t fit the stereotype, which is why I was definitely never allowed in! At the time, the Nightingale was where the Birmingham Ballet is now, and it was tiny and predominantly men. Women could only get in if three men signed

If you happen to be knocking around town during May Bank Holiday weekend to find that you’ve become trapped amidst a cloud of rainbow glitter and neon confetti, please don’t be alarmed. Birmingham Pride will be entirely to blame for the ruckus. On May 23 – 24 Birmingham Pride, the UK’s biggest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender festival, will make its annual return to take over the city centre. A much anticipated event for people across the Midlands, Pride is a celebration of the city's diverse LGBT community and offers a warm welcome to all, regardless of sexuality, faith or gender. The theme for Pride 2015 is ‘Freedom’, and there's no doubt that this year it’ll be even louder, even brighter and even more flamboyant than ever before. Starting in Victoria Square at 12pm on Saturday May 23, the parade will make its way down New Street, into High Street, Carrs Lane, Smallbrook Queensway and Hurst Street, before finally entering the main Pride festival site in the heart of the Gay Village. The parade comes complete with the most elaborately decorated floats (and people) you'll have probably ever seen; when it comes to Pride, absolutely nothing is done by halves. Time Out Birmingham is here to give you the details of all you need to know about Birmingham Pride this year. Whether you're a well-seasoned Pride aficionado, or this will be your first time, we’ll be sure to leave no rhinestone unturned...   Carnival Parade Route  On Saturday May 23, many of the roads in the city ce

The force was with MCM Comic Con at the weekend as comic and fantasy fans flocked in their droves to Birmingham's NEC for the annual convention – and we were there. The event combined Comic Con with Britain’s biggest memorabilia collectors' fair, and featured a comic village, a Nintendo Super Smash Bros live tournament and Q&As with sci-fi actors. If you think Comic Con fans are introverted geeks who idly while away their time in dressing gowns playing World of Warcraft then you're sorely mistaken. Thousands of enthusiasts turned out in full force this year, including people in anime and fantasy cosplay and the hottest interpretation of Poison Ivy I’ve ever seen – and I’ve seen my fair share being a seasoned DC comic aficionado myself. Cast your eyes on this selection of the best of cosplay from this year’s Comic Con. Juliet Sterling from Lollipop Chainsaw hangs out with some Ewoks  Becky Homer Characters from Manga series Nightshade  Becky Homer Japanese Vocaloid avatars SeeU and Gumi  Becky Homer Pyramid Head from Silent Hill Becky Homer Princess Zelda Becky Homer Characters from Hunger Games  Becky Homer Judge Dredd and The Joker  Becky Homer       Belle from Beauty and the Beast  Becky Homer Luke Skywalker teams up with Poison Ivy Becky Homer       American McGee's Alice gets an armed escort Becky Homer   More valuable information for Birmingham's geeks right here.