DUDLEY will host its first ever International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia this Spring in celebration of gender and sexual diversities.

The international celebration will be marked in over 120 countries around the world, and Dudley will be joining in the festivities with a special event on May 17 at the Coronation Gardens in Dudley town centre.

The event will include performances by Birmingham Voices Choir, an inclusive choir created by Wordsley-born Chris Passey and Richard Skilbeck.

The choir will team up with schools in Dudley and the wider West Midlands, alongside Dudley's own teenage drag star Athena Heart.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Alan Taylor, who is hosting the event, said: "We’ve supported this day for the last two years by flying the rainbow flag from the council house, but this is the first year we’ve held a ceremony to promote the day.

"While we have made great strides in this country in terms of promoting LGBTQ+ equality, there is still much to do to increase people’s understanding and acceptance of sexual and gender diversity and we hope that this is a small step in showing our support.”

Before the event, a short ceremony will take place where the rainbow flag will be raised above Dudley Castle and the Council House, alongside short speeches from the Mayor and other invited guests.

The event is open to all and begins at 12.30pm.