Manchester airport is to sponsor of SHOUT Festival of Queer Arts and Culture in Birmingham for the next three years.
The sponsorship will help to deliver a programme of exhibitions, theatre, performance, and film which celebrates queer culture in the 50th anniversary year of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.
The airport will host a VIP reception to launch the festival programme as part of the sponsorship. This year’s event takes place on November 9-19 in venues across Birmingham.
Manchester airport head of marketing Patrick Alexander said “We are looking forward to working with SHOUT in what is a poignant year for the LGBT community.
“Following supporting five UK Pride events this year, SHOUT’s ethos really suits our values, and provides us with an opportunity to thank the 270,000 passengers from the West Midlands who choose Manchester airport each year.
“We cannot wait to come and witness the festival programme for ourselves later in the year.”
Steph Keeble, director of Birmingham LGBT, said “Birmingham LGBT is delighted that Manchester airport has decided to sponsor SHOUT and are really looking forward to working with the team there.
“I am sure they will become a highly valued partner of ours and are welcomed by everyone in the Midlands.”